Preventive Dentistry - Bonita Springs, FL

Everyone's smile is different, but regardless of the dental patient, regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings are an essential part of maintaining optimal oral health. The American Dental Association recommends dental patients visit the dentist at least two times each year, and the Pelican Landing Dental team is in complete agreement. Unless there are severe oral health concerns that need to be monitored more frequently like advanced gum disease, we encourage our dental patients to visit the dental office every six months for preventive dentistry in Bonita Springs, FL.

During these checkups, we use diagnostic tools and a visual/tactile examination to screen for common oral health conditions, including tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. One of our skilled hygienists will remove plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth, and before you leave, one of our dentists will sit down with you to discuss any areas of concern. We'll partner with you to develop a personalized, ongoing oral health care treatment plan.

If you experience dental grinding and clenching while asleep, you may not know that this bad habit, known as bruxism, is actually an oral health concern that may lead to chips, cracks, and wear – not to mention jaw pain. We create custom mouthguards that can protect you from this issue. Often referred to as nightguards, these oral appliances place a physical barrier between your rows of teeth that prevents wear from this unconscious clenching and grinding. We custom fabricate these nightguards so they provide optimal comfort and protection.

Many people think that oral cancer only affects people who smoke or use tobacco. Unfortunately, this is not the case. In fact, oral cancer is extremely deadly and can affect anyone at any age. Common oral cancer symptoms include:

• Persistent mouth pain or sores that don’t go away
• Lumps in the cheek
• Red and white patches that can form on the gums, tongue, tonsil or inner lining of the mouth
• Feeling like something’s caught in the throat
• Difficulty swallowing, chewing, or moving your jaw and tongue
• Jaw swelling
• Loosening of the teeth
• Weight loss
• Halitosis (bad breath)

According to research conducted by the Oral Cancer Foundation, the best way to decrease the number of annual oral cancer-related deaths is to diagnose the disease in its earlier stages. We include screening for this deadly oral health concern as part of every six-month checkup, and our dentists have advanced training and expertise in early detection and diagnosis of oral cancer.

Your dentist will be looking for the physical signs of oral cancer so that they can be addressed as soon as possible. This includes any asymmetries, swellings, bumps, discoloration, or ulcerations as well as other problems with the mouth, neck, lips, and face.

If we find signs of oral cancer, we can direct you towards a specialist who can confirm the diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment based on how advanced the condition is. The earlier it’s caught, the better chance there is of getting a favorable 5-year prognosis.

The first step is a physical exam that can take place while you’re sitting upright or laying down. You’ll be asked to remove any oral appliances you’re wearing before one of our dentists examines your mouth with a light and mirror. Like your general doctor, we may also use a tongue depressor to get a look at the back of your throat. There are other tools we can use to ensure a thorough, effective examination.

The dentist will then touch your head, cheeks, jaw, under your chin, and the inside of your mouth to see if they can feel any unusual masses. We may ask if this causes discomfort, as that could signal a problem with tissue mobility; you might also be asked to swallow as well.

Have you had an oral cancer screening along with a regular dental checkup in the past six months? If not, then now’s a perfect time to contact Pelican Landing Dental and set up an appointment!

For younger patients who are still developing their oral hygiene skills and adults who are prone to decay, we may recommend fluoride treatments as part of regular six-month checkups. Fluoride is a mineral that helps to strengthen tooth enamel, neutralize acids, and protect teeth from cavity-causing bacteria and plaque. You may get adequate doses of fluoride from daily brushing with fluoridated toothpastes, but if your smile could use an extra boost, professional fluoride treatments may be beneficial.

Most patients are able to effectively clean their teeth and receive adequate amounts of fluoride from over-the-counter toothpastes. However, if you experience frequent tooth decay, we may recommend a prescription-strength anti-cavity toothpaste. We prescribe Clinpro 5000 fluoridated toothpastes for patients who regularly have cavities. If you’d like help choosing other oral hygiene products, please don’t hesitate to ask our hygienists or dentists. We’d be happy to talk to you about what products will best suit your oral health needs.

When it comes to dentistry, preventive care is by far the most affordable. This is especially true if you have dental insurance, since most plans will cover biannual checkups, cleanings, and other preventive treatments at 80-100%. Even if you don’t have dental insurance, investing in preventive dental care is an easy way to potentially save thousands in future restorations and emergency treatments. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!