Preventative Dental Services

Preventative Dental Services include more than just routine oral exams, x-rays, and cleanings. They also include fluoride treatments, sealants, nightguards, and custom sports guards. At Mt. Angel Dental, Dr. Weishoff offers these services to identify and stop early dental issues before they become problems.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps prevent cavities in children and adults. A fluoride treatment involves applying a topical fluoride (a solution, gel, foam, or varnish) to the surface of the teeth to help rebuild weakened enamel and fight tooth decay. Fluoride makes the outer surface of your teeth (enamel) more resistant to the acid attacks that cause tooth decay. 

Drinking fluoridated water or any other fluoridated beverage can also ensure you get the benefits of fluoride. 

At Mt. Angel Dental, while fluoride treatments are highly recommended, they are optional.

Sealants are thin plastic films that your dentist paints onto the chewing surfaces of your teeth to protect them from cavities. They are perfect for the molars where leftover food and cavity-causing bacteria hide in the rough, uneven parts of the tooth.

According to Mouth Healthy, brought to you by the American Dental Association (ADA), sealants can reduce the risk of tooth decay by 80 percent in molars. This is especially important when it comes to your child’s dental health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also states that “school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.”

Sealants may take 15 to 20 minutes to apply, depending on how many teeth need the protection. Sealants form a protective barrier that cannot be penetrated by bacteria or acids and protect teeth from cavity formation. Sealants last several years before they wear off, and they are recommended for both children and adults.

If your teeth, jaw, or facial muscles are in pain, it might be because you’re grinding or clenching your teeth at night. If you have this problem, Dr. Weishoff can prescribe you a custom-fit nightguard to protect your teeth. These guards are clear, thin devices worn over the upper or lower teeth while sleeping. They protect your teeth from the effects of grinding or clenching, reducing your risk of cracked teeth. They also alleviate any pain you may have been experiencing, prevent your teeth from further wear, and decrease your risk of cracked teeth.

Did you know that more than 5 million teeth get knocked out each year during sporting activities? Wearing a custom sports guard can reduce this risk significantly. Sports guards fit in the mouth and cover the upper teeth. If you play contact sports, sports guards are must-haves because of the risk of getting hit in the face by an object or another person. Remember that even non-contact sports like skating and gymnastics can cause broken teeth.

Custom sports guards protect your tongue, lips, and cheeks and significantly lessen the risk of broken teeth and mouth injuries. Wearing sports guards properly can decrease your risk of injury by 99 percent.

Mouthguards at sporting goods stores are of a generic size and do not guarantee as much safety as custom sports guards. This is because store-bought mouthguards cannot be altered to fit your mouth, and you have to clench your teeth to ensure that they stay put.

At Mt. Angel Dental, we customize sports guards by getting an exact impression of your mouth. Guards stay put with no effort, and you can comfortably wear a fitted piece that shields your teeth from harm while you keep your attention on your game.

At Mt. Angel Dental, we take pride in offering our patients the very best in family dentistry. We are currently accepting new dental patients of all ages. If you would like to schedule an appointment for preventative dental services, please call Mt. Angel Dental at (503) 845-2273 or request an appointment online.