Preventive Dental Care for Your Family

Our Patients are Family

We know that some patients worry about going to the dentist, and we understand. Our Middle Georgia Family Dentistry Team shares a commitment to caring for each person as an individual and welcoming them to our dental family with warm smiles and genuine compassion.

So get ready to relax, smile and laugh with us while we do what we love - protect your dental health.

Routine Dental Check-Ups

The American Dental Association® recommends that patients visit their dentist every few months for a complete dental examination and a preventive dental cleaning.

When you come to see us for preventive dental care, one of our knowledgeable and experienced dentists will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums to look for signs of tooth decay or gum (periodontal) disease. He will also review digital dental x-rays to check between the teeth and monitor your jaw bone levels to make sure your teeth have a healthy, strong foundation.

Our Middle Georgia Family Dentistry philosophy of caring is to put you in control of your dental health. During your dental check-up visit, you and your dentist will view photos and x-rays of your smile together on a computer screen and talk about ways to keep your smile looking and feeling great.

Keep Your Child's Smile Healthy with Preventive Dentistry

The early years of your child's dental development can affect their oral health for a lifetime. We see children in our practice beginning around age 3, or when they can sit in the dental chair on their own.

Your child's pediatrician or a pediatric dental specialist can assist you with infant or toddler dental care. We will be glad to provide a referral and answer any questions you may have about children's dentistry, feel free to Contact Our Team.

With the exception of third molars (wisdom teeth) that erupt during the late teenage years, all of our teeth play an important role. Baby teeth (deciduous teeth) provide the ability for your child to chew food properly, as well as create space for the permanent teeth as they erupt.

We want your child to keep baby teeth for as long as they make good health sense. (When it's time for them to go under your child's pillow for the tooth fairy, we can help with that too.)

Our dentists will recommend preventive treatments and other procedures as necessary to maintain your child's dental health. Preventive dental services that we may recommend for your child include:

Dental Sealants

Tooth sealants are generally recommended as soon as your child's permanent molars are fully erupted:

• A young molar has deep pits and grooves on the chewing surface that can be difficult to keep clean; this makes them the perfect hiding place for cavity-causing bacteria.
• Dental sealant material is painted over the chewing surface of the tooth by our dentist or dental hygienist; the sealant fills the pits and grooves and is hardened using a special dental light.
• A dental sealant feels like plastic to the tongue; it forms a barrier that keeps bacteria from collecting in the pits and grooves of the tooth and creates a smooth surface that is easy to keep clean.
• Dental sealants can last for years and are easily replaced if they become worn or fall out. And, the best part - sealants can be applied without drilling on the tooth and do not require getting numb for the procedure.

Fluoride

Fluoride is a mineral that our body contains naturally. It bonds with tooth enamel to build resistance to decay and helps with reducing tooth sensitivity.

We recommend that parents help young children brush their teeth using a very small amount of fluoridated toothpaste to make sure all the tooth surfaces get cleaned. Fluoride may upset their stomach if swallowed, so a dab of toothpaste on the toothbrush about the size of a grain of rice is perfect. Generally young children need a little help with brushing until they are able to tie their shoes on their own.

Our dentists may recommend fluoride treatments for your child's teeth during routine dental cleaning visits to help prevent tooth decay. The dental hygienist will apply the fluoride solution to your child's teeth (no anesthetic required); they can eat and drink normally shortly after the fluoride treatment. We make the process fun and celebrate with your child after they have their teeth polished and ‘painted’.

Healthy Smile for a Healthy Body

Did you know that your oral health affects your entire body? Research continues to reveal the links between dental disease and the impact it can have on our overall health and well-being.

Harmful oral bacteria and infection that cause tooth decay and gum disease have been linked to medical complications for patients with systemic illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

• Chronic bad breath or bad taste in mouth
• Bleeding or swollen gum tissue
• Receding gums that make teeth look ‘longer’
• Hot and cold tooth sensitivity around the gum line
• Jaw bone loss (visible on dental x-rays)
• Loose teeth or teeth that fall out on their own

Our dentists and dental hygienists measure the level of gum tissue around your teeth during your regular dental examination and cleaning visits. If there are any indications of periodontal disease, they will recommend treatment or referral to a gum specialist (periodontist) to treat the infection and help prevent further damage or tooth loss.

Periodontal disease can often be treated non-surgically in our office with a ‘root planing’ procedure. The purpose of root planing is to clean the tooth root surfaces beneath the gums to remove tartar build-up and toxins to eliminate infection and promote healing.

If you have had periodontal treatment or surgery in the past, you understand the importance of regular maintenance visits every 3-4 months. We can help you manage periodontal disease and prevent irreversible jaw bone loss; Contact Middle Georgia Family Dentistry to schedule an appointment for your periodontal maintenance visits.

Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer begins with barely noticeable symptoms that last for more than a week, like a small discoloration or bump on the gums, or a mouth sore that does not heal. Early detection saves lives - treatment in the early stages of oral cancer can be highly successful.

Regular screening exams are important to stay vigilant in the fight against oral cancer. Our dentists will check your tongue, lips and cheeks for signs of oral cancer as part of your regular dental examinations. We encourage our patients to stay on track with their dental visits so we can help with monitoring for any suspicious symptoms that may require further testing.