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Family Dentistry
Muscle Shoals, AL
At Singing River Dentistry, we believe there are many benefits of family dentistry and the services that we provide. One of the main benefits of family dentistry is that there is no need to go to multiple offices or multiple clinics - each member of your family can be seen right here! Since we see your family members from birth, our office in Muscle Shoals, AL has a detailed dental history and we keep records, track progress, and provide any necessary treatments along the way.
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What Procedures Are Offered in Family Dentistry?
Family dentistry involves not only procedures for the entire family, but also focuses on preventive care, rather than waiting until treatment is necessary. Of course we will be happy to provide whatever treatments you do need.
Dental Exams and Cleanings
A dental checkup is a visit to the dentist for a quick clean and inspection of your teeth and gums. The central part of the appointment involves removing any plaque or tartar from your teeth and checking for cavities or signs of gum disease. This process usually takes about an hour, depending on the extent of treatment necessary.
After your dental exam, you will have a dental cleaning. Although the dental cleaning process is not generally invasive, it is crucial to take caution afterward. Ensure that you wait at least 30 minutes after your cleaning to eat or drink anything. Hot foods and drinks could also lead to damage or sensitivity, and you should also avoid them for a few hours.
Oral Cancer Screenings
One of the most common cancers is oral cancer, which affects not only the mouth but also the lips and tongue. That is why oral cancer screenings are so important. At Singing River Dentistry our dentist will perform an oral cancer screening during your routine dental exam. The dentist will examine your head, neck, mouth, lips, teeth, and gums for any lumps, bumps, discolorations, or any other abnormalities. It is a quick and easy exam, and very important!
Dentistry for Kids
The moment your baby starts teething is the perfect time to start bringing your children into the dentist. This is usually about six months of age. It is recommended to identify any oral problems early so they can be rectified when your baby is still young.
It might not be challenging for adults to prepare for oral exams, but kids can get nervous. It is, therefore, essential to enlighten children about what to expect when they come in for a dental visit. It will help them be more at ease and go through the process willingly and hopefully have fun too.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride strengthens and hardens your tooth enamel. Fluoride can be found in most tap water and toothpastes. It is important to get an adequate amount of fluoride, especially for children. After your dental exam and cleaning, we will do a professional fluoride treatment. Fluoride is important for keeping your teeth healthy, strong, and free from cavities.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are a thin layer that we paint onto the back teeth to prevent cavities from forming, especially in the deep grooves and crevices of the molars where bacteria can easily form. Dental sealants are often recommended for children and teenagers to prevent cavities from forming, although adults can receive dental sealants as well.
Periodontal Care and Maintenance
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, which is reversible if you detect it early. There are no significant signs at this stage, and therefore usually goes unnoticed. Periodontal disease is the next stage of gum disease. At this point, gum disease is not reversible. You may now experience symptoms like bleeding, redness, and soreness. At Singing River Dentistry, we use root planing and scaling for our patients with gum disease. Regular periodontal care and maintenance is crucial for managing gum disease.
Sports Mouth Guards
Sports mouth guards come in three different types. Stock mouth guards are ready-made, and you can find them in any sports equipment store. Though they are inexpensive and easily accessible, they do not fit well and require you to keep biting down during use to keep them in place. Boil-and-bite mouth guards fit better than stock mouth guards, as you boil them and bite, they take the shape of your dentition. Our preferred type of sports mouth guards, however, are custom-made mouth guards. They are made by taking a mold of your mouth, so they will fit your mouth specifically and will not be loose or shift around.
Night Mouth Guards for Bruxism
Bruxism, clenching or grinding your teeth while you sleep, is estimated to affect up to 45% of the population at some point in their lives and about 12% on an ongoing basis.
The most common treatment options are wearing a mouth guard or splint during sleep to reposition the lower jaw slightly forward and prevent clenching or ground down teeth from extreme forces of nighttime teeth grinding. We can make you a custom-fit night guard here at Singing River Dentistry.
TMJ/TMD Treatments
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is a painful condition of your jaw joint that involves discomfort with movement of the jaw muscles. Oftentimes, we can prescribe a custom-made night guard which can help protect your jaw and prevent further tooth damage.
Although it is said that grinding and clenching teeth and temporomandibular disorders correlate, the reasoning is unclear. However, we do know that grinding and clenching have detrimental effects on your oral health. Come see our so we can guide you toward a solution and likely prevent any complicated damages.
Sleep Apnea Treatments and Oral Appliance Therapy
The two most common types of sleep apnea are obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the back throat muscles relax, closing the airway while breathing in. It might lead to choking, gasping, or snoring, preventing you from getting a restful night's sleep. In central sleeping apnea, the brain does not coordinate well with the breathing muscles, leaving you gasping for breath. It might also prevent you from falling and staying asleep.
At Singing River Dentistry we can treat your sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy to help you both breathe and sleep better.
Schedule A Consultation with Your Family Dentists at Singing River
Singing River Dentistry is right here for all of your family's dentistry needs. Visit us at our Muscle Shoals, AL clinic today or call our office at 256-712-3186 for inquiries, treatment, and guidance.
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