Your Home for Amazing Dental Care

DENTAL CLEANINGS AND EXAMS

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends dental visits at least twice per year. Regular exams and professional cleanings can help to ensure optimal oral health. At Eastern Hills Family Dental, our team consistently provides high-quality dental cleanings and thorough preventive exams.

Professional cleanings rid the teeth of harmful plaque and tartar build-up. This is important for preventing tooth decay, periodontal disease, and other oral health issues. Additionally, a professional cleaning by our hygienist may remove some surface stains. This can help keep your teeth looking whiter and brighter.

During your examination, we will also:

• Evaluate your overall oral health
• Discuss oral hygiene practices and habits
• Check your bite and jaw for any issues
• Evaluate your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer
• Evaluate existing tooth restorations
• Take dental x-rays if necessary

Regular professional dental cleanings and exams are essential for maintaining a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile.

Contact us to request an appointment for a dental exam and cleaning.

DENTAL HYGIENE EDUCATION

Professional dental cleanings are important for maintaining great oral health. However, it is vital that you continue good dental hygiene at home as well.

Dr. Mathisen recommends that you brush your teeth at least twice per day and floss daily. This helps prevent tooth decay, periodontal disease, and other oral health issues.

There are additional ways to help keep teeth strong and healthy. Toothpastes and mouth rinses with fluoride are available over-the-counter. Eating a balanced diet and limiting sugary snacks can also contribute to good oral health.

When you can, drink a glass of water after meals. This can help wash away sugars from foods and drinks. If something you eat or drink contains acids, such as sodas or candies, wait 30 minutes before brushing. This will allow your saliva time to neutralize the acids and protect your teeth.

Healthy dental hygiene habits can help keep your teeth strong and beautiful. If you have any questions about your current dental hygiene routine, please contact us.

ORAL CANCER SCREENINGS

In the United States alone, one adult dies every hour from oral cancers. When oral cancers are identified in initial stages, treatment can begin more quickly. In initial stages, treatment has a higher rate of success and is less invasive. In more advanced stages, oral cancers are more likely to have spread to other areas and need complex treatment.

Dr. Mathisen recommends having an oral cancer screening at least once each year. Regular screenings can help ensure early detection of any potential cancers.

During your oral cancer screening, Dr. Mathisen will check for any abnormalities. We will closely examine your mouth, throat, lips, gums, and tongue. Let us know about any potential symptoms you have experienced, including:

• Pain or difficulty with speaking, swallowing, or moving your jaw or tongue
• A sensation that something is caught in the back of your throat
• Sore throat with no other sinus symptoms
• Lumps or swellings in or around your mouth
• Drastic weight loss
• White or red patches in your mouth
• Mouth sores that do not heal
• Unexplained ear pain
• Unexplained bleeding in your mouth

If you have experienced any of these symptoms for more than a week without improvement, call us immediately for an appointment.

Anyone may develop oral cancer, but there are certain factors that can increase your risks. Some of the most common include:

• Being male (men are more likely to develop oral cancer than women)
• Use of tobacco in any form (6 times more likely)
• Genetic predisposition for oral cancers
• Excessive or prolonged exposure to sun
• Unhealthy diet
• Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages
• Having gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)

For more information on oral cancer screenings or to schedule an appointment, contact Eastern Hills Family Dental.

MOUTH GUARDS

When you are preparing for sports practice or a game, you wouldn’t dream of going without your uniform. If you are playing a contact sport like football or hockey, you always have a helmet and pads on before going near the field or rink. However, if you aren’t using a sports mouth guard for your practices and matches, you are missing a vital piece of protective gear.

Each year, an estimated 13-39% of all dental injuries occur while playing sports. Since mouth guards were made a mandatory part of American football, about 200,000 injuries to the mouth and teeth have been prevented annually.

However, the dangers of tooth and mouth injury do not end with contact sports. In fact, recent studies have found that today’s basketball players are far more likely to suffer injury to the face, mouth, and teeth than football players. For these sports, contact comes from ball, ground, hoop, or other surface rather than other players, so mouth guards are not currently required by most schools and many teams.

Protect your teeth with a sports mouth guard. Dr. Mathisen will custom-fit your mouth guard to keep you safe while you play.

NIGHT GUARDS

Unconscious grinding of the teeth during sleep is a condition known as bruxism. If you are grinding your teeth in your sleep most nights, you should contact our office for a night guard.

A night guard is a removable dental appliance that is similar to an athletic mouth guard. It provides a barrier between your top and bottom teeth to protect them while you sleep.

Dr. Mathisen will custom fit your night guard to ensure your comfort and safety. Night guards can protect your teeth from wear, gum irritation, enamel damage, and jaw pain.

At your appointment, Dr. Mathisen will discuss other ways to help reduce or eliminate night grinding. This may include avoiding chewing gum, alcohol, and caffeine, as these increase the risks of grinding.

If you suspect you may have issues with teeth grinding, contact our office for an appointment.

FLUORIDE TREATMENT

At Eastern Hills Family Dental, we offer fluoride treatment to prevent tooth decay for our patients. According to the ADA, fluoride intake is often recommended for infants and children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years. During this time, primary and permanent teeth are developing.

Fluoride is applied to the teeth in a varnish form using a brush. Fluoride helps by making the tooth more resistant to the build-up of decay causing plaque and sugars. It can also speed re-mineralization as well as disrupt acid erosion in teeth.

In addition to receiving fluoride treatment at our dental office, it can be applied to the teeth through fluoridated toothpastes and mouth rinses. Mouth rinses containing fluoride in lower strengths are available over-the-counter. However, stronger mouth rinses can be prescribed as needed. Dr. Mathisen will advise you about your child’s fluoride needs.

We strive to provide you with the highest quality care, including the use of fluoride. For more information or to request an appointment, contact Eastern Hills Family Dental.

SEALANTS

Sealants are highly effective in preventing tooth decay and cavities on your molars and premolars. These areas are the most susceptible to cavities due to the anatomized grooves.

Typically, children get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. These sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14. However, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants.

The process of applying sealants is easy and fast. The application steps are as follows:

• We thoroughly clean the teeth
•   The teeth are dried
•   A liquid solution is put on the chewing surfaces of the teeth
•   The solution is cured using a special curing light

Sealants act as a barrier and protect the enamel from plaque and acids. They may last for several years before a reapplication is needed. While the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay.

Sealants are not a substitute for brushing your teeth. It is important to maintain proper oral hygiene and keep up with professional dental cleanings. Also, sealants do not protect between the teeth, so it is essential to continue to floss daily.

For more information or to request an appointment, contact Eastern Hills Family Dental.