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Family Dentistry
Tuscumbia, AL
At Singing River Dentistry , we believe in the benefits of a healthy smile and keeping that smile for a lifetime! We treat every member of the family, focusing on your oral health and prevention of any dental concerns. Keeping and maintaining a healthy smile and mouth allows for preventing potential complications down the road. Our dentists at our office in the Tuscumbia, AL area can provide all of your family’s dental needs.
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The Benefits of Dental Exams and Cleanings
You can not underestimate the benefits that come with having a dental exam. One, you can identify an upcoming problem and deal with it before it becomes uncontrollable in nature. It might be cavities or gum disease. Secondly, you can take preventive measures if the dentist identifies there are no problems. During your dental exam, the dentist will give you guidelines and insights to follow for healthy gums and strong teeth.
There are multiple benefits in line with dental cleanings as a preventive measure for your teeth. You can smile with confidence with your newly cleaned teeth. Dental exams improve your overall dental health by preventing bacterial growth, which leads to cavities and other damage. We can detect problems with your teeth earlier and take the necessary precautions before damage and decay occur.
Oral Cancer Screenings
It is very important to have an oral cancer screening at your routine dental appointments. Oral cancer has been linked to smoking, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and infection with the human papillomavirus, also known as HPV. While these are the most common risk factors, anyone can develop oral cancer regardless of age, gender, or race. An oral cancer screening is a quick exam where the dentist will check your head, neck, mouth, lips, and inside of your mouth for any lumps, bumps, discolorations, or other abnormalities. The early detection of oral cancers is key to fighting this disease.
The Role of Dentistry for Kids in Family Dentistry
Kids, just like adults, are required to have a dental care routine. Dentists recommend dental visits at least twice a year, and this also applies to kids. At a dental visit, the dentist will examine their teeth, clean them, and check for any potential problems that could affect them in the future if left unattended. Two areas of cavity prevention for kids include fluoride and dental sealants.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel, and helps prevent cavities from forming. We can instruct you on the proper toothpaste, which should include fluoride, for your child. While your child is here for their exam, we will give them a fluoride treatment.
Dental Sealants
Sealants can also help provide protection to your child’s teeth. Sealants are a thin layer that are painted onto your child’s teeth, specifically onto the back molars, a common area for bacteria and cavities to form. Sealants help protect your child’s teeth from this bacteria and possible decay.
Periodontal Care and Maintenance
At Singing River Dentistry, we offer our patients both the exams and cleanings you need for regular periodontal maintenance, as well as more specific periodontal care treatments - such as scaling and root planing.
The leading cause of gum disease is poor brushing habits, leading to plaque deposits full of bacteria on the gums. Other causes include smoking, chronic diseases like diabetes and HIV/AIDS, imbalance in hormones, and genetics in some cases. Identifying the source is the root of curing gum disease.
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is one of the best measures against gum disease. It cleanses the food particles that form plaque leading to periodontal disease. Another prevention measure is avoiding the triggers, especially smoking. Frequent checkups are also a significant preventive measure, especially when another disease might be an influence. This also applies to the genetic causes of gum disease, which you can manage through treatment.
You could end up losing your teeth if gum disease is left untreated. The bones become weak from the bacterial attack and eventually lose the ability to hold your teeth. It can also lead to other health conditions like respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
Mouthguards
We offer mouthguards for our patients that need extra protection for their teeth and jaw, whether it be while sleeping or playing sports.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, we would recommend visiting us at Singing River Dentistry for a consultation. We can help identify if you are grinding your teeth at night and provide you with a custom-made night guard to help stop the problem.
We recommend custom-made sports mouth guards since they are a perfect fit, designed to meet your specific needs. They are comfortable to wear, and provide the best protection while playing contact sports.
Sleep Apnea Treatments
Patients with sleep apnea have an increased risk of oral health problems such as gingivitis, tooth decay, and tooth loss. And unfortunately, some people with sleep apnea are unaware that their night-time breathing issues may be linked to dental problems. Your teeth tend to become more susceptible to disease when you do not get enough oxygen during your sleep hours due to obstructive sleep apnea.
Some of the common treatments available are mouthguards and surgery, but the surgical procedure is usually performed where the dentist sees it necessary. Mouthguards are what are mainly used to enhance breathing and prevent teeth grinding. However, you can always talk to our dentist if your mouthguards are not working for you as you expected. They may consider other treatments like CPAP machines and other oral appliance therapy solutions.
TMJ/TMD Treatments
The cause of TMJ disorders lies in multiple factors such as genetics, arthritis, and bruxism, among other conditions. Much like bruxism, severe cases of TMJ disorders can be an extremely painful condition.
Splint and mouth guards (also known as occlusal splints) are apparatuses devised to keep your teeth contact-free to avoid placing pressure and causing damage by grinding or clenching. On the other hand, we have corrective jaw surgeries to reverse any damages that may have been caused due to the prolonged condition.
Schedule Appointments for the Whole Family at Singing River Dentistry
Our dentists and dental team are here and ready to serve you and your entire family for all of your dental needs. For those near the Tuscumbia, AL area please call our offices at 256-712-2240 to schedule an appointment or with any questions you may have.
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