Preventive Dentistry – Grand Island, NE
Don’t Give Cavities or Gum Disease a Chance
General dentistry and preventive care are important parts of good dental health. Regular professional cleanings, proper brushing and flossing techniques, and using the right dental products all contribute to your oral wellbeing. At our Grand Island dental practice, we schedule the frequency of your visits based on your individual needs. Because patient education is one of our priorities, we’ll answer your questions in non-technical language and teach you how to care for your mouth so your smile lasts a lifetime.
Why Choose Stec & Stines Cosmetic & Family Dentistry for Preventive Dentistry?
- One Stop for Comprehensive Care
- Comfortable, Relaxing Amenities
- State of the Art Technology
Dental Checkups & Cleanings
A beautiful smile begins with proper oral hygiene. Regular checkups will let us learn all we need to about your mouth and the state of your oral health so that we can personalize your care to better accommodate your unique needs. We’ll also be able to catch cavities and gum disease in their early, easy-to-treat stages, and we can clean the teeth of harmful plaque and tartar that you’ve been unable to get rid of during your normal oral hygiene routine.
Learn More About Dental Checkups & Cleanings
Oral Cancer Screening
We will perform an oral cancer screening as a part of your six-month regular exam. Over 50,000 Americans have been diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year—and the number of diagnoses gets higher annually. Sadly, more than half of those patients die within five years. The fatalities and dire survival rates are due to the late discovery of oral cancer—when it’s much more difficult to treat. The most common signs of oral cancer are:
- Red or white spots
- Sores that do not heal
- Lumps or rough spots
- Pain or numbness in the mouth or on the lips
- Difficulty swallowing or speaking
- Problems moving the jaw or tongue
Dental Sealants
Our preventive care initiatives include the use of dental sealants on your back teeth. The back teeth have deep grooves on the chewing surfaces, and these deep, narrow spaces can trap bacteria and food particles that eventually lead to decay and infection. Recognized by the American Dental Association as a key means of cavity prevention, dental sealants are created by applying a very thin biocompatible plastic to your tooth surfaces. Dental sealants offer excellent decay protection for children and adults.
Fluoride Treatments
As primary and permanent teeth develop, it’s essential that patients receive adequate ingested fluoride. The majority of people can absorb the necessary amount of fluoride from tap water and foods that contain this common mineral. However, once teeth erupt, ingested fluoride has little or no effect on the strength of teeth, but topical fluoride can be extremely beneficial. That’s why it’s essential that patients brush with fluoride toothpaste, and for kids just learning to brush and adults who are prone to decay, professional fluoride treatments can help improve the strength of teeth by preemptively stopping cavities.
Mouthguards/
Sportsguards
Protecting smiles during any sporting event where teeth may come in contact with other players, sports equipment, or hard surfaces is essential, but many patients still fail to wear their athletic mouthguards consistently. Sportsguards are available from athletic retailers, but these non-custom solutions are often bulky or uncomfortable. Custom crafted sportsguards from our Grand Island dental practice offer patients significantly improved comfort as they are designed using impressions of patients’ teeth so they fit securely in place.
Nightguards for Bruxism
All teeth wear down over time, but for some, the process is faster than others. In many cases, it’s a result of bruxism, a condition where you grind and clench during your sleep. Obviously, you have very little direct control over this habit, but you DO have options for preventing the damage it can cause. Simply slip in one of our customized nightguards, and you can drift off to sleep secure in the knowledge that your smile will be safe.
Children’s Dentistry
Many patients ask if they can bring their kids to our office for treatment, and the answer is absolutely! We love treating children and have years of experience offering care that meets the unique oral health and behavioral needs of young people. In rare cases, an early examination by our team reveals children are in need of more advanced care, and we may refer them to a pediatric dentistry specialist. For most kids, we’re happy to treat them for their entire lives and have proudly offered multiple generations of families exceptional care.
At-Home Dental Hygiene Products
What kind of toothpaste and mouthwash can be found in your bathroom cabinet? Feel free to tell us about the kinds of oral hygiene products you use at home; we can let you know if there’s any room for improvement. Our office uses fluoride-based Crest toothpaste for cavity prevention as well as Sensodyne for sensitive teeth and Paradontax for improved gum health. You can ask about the benefits of these products and how they can improve the way you handle your own care.
