Preventive Dentistry – Palm Bay, FL

Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings

Are you looking for a reliable, friendly dentist who can treat your whole family? Dr. Christopher Nowacki utilizes his talent and experience to improve the health of each patient. Please call us today if you would like to plan your general dentistry exam.

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Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are thin coats of clear, protective materials. These sealant solutions are placed onto the surfaces of teeth, typically the back teeth that have deeper pits and grooves in the enamel surface. Once in place, a curing light is used to harden the material onto the tooth creating a seal that prevents decay-causing plaque and bacteria from accessing teeth. This simple, painless procedure can be performed as part of any six-month dental checkup, and with proper care, they will remain in place for years defending the smile from cavities and other damage. We typically recommend dental sealants for younger patients, but they may also benefit adults who are prone to decay, those who suffer from dry mouth, and anyone who has deep pits on the biting surfaces of teeth. Dental sealants are a quick, one visit treatment that offers effective and long-lasting protection from many common oral health concerns.

Nightguards for Bruxism

Unconscious teeth grinding and clenching, known as bruxism, can be difficult to diagnose for a variety of reasons. Most obviously, it is an unconscious habit, so most patients have no idea they’re doing it. Additionally, the side effects of bruxism can vary widely from excessive tooth wear to chronic headaches. Further complicating bruxism diagnosis, many patients only experience this oral health condition during times of stress or otherwise intermittently. Unfortunately, patients who suffer from this condition, may not know until it has been occurring for years.

The good news is that the treatment itself is relatively simple. Most patients only grind and clench their teeth at night time, so we typically begin treatment with a custom crafted nightguard. These personalized oral appliances snap comfortably into position. While in place, these nightguards create a barrier between teeth preventing damage while patients are grinding and clenching teeth. Some bruxism sufferers strain the joints connecting the jaw to the skull bone, and we use a larger oral appliance to stabilize their jaw preventing the unconscious movement altogether.

Oral Cancer Screening

Screening for oral cancer is completed as part of every six-month dental checkup because even those patients who don’t use tobacco products, drink excessively, or engage in any of the other high-risk behaviors are at risk for this form of cancer. Most importantly, research has indicated that early diagnosis is the best way to reduce the number of annual deaths related to oral cancer. Screening for this disease is completed quickly and painlessly.

Fluoride Treatment

Like dental sealants, topical fluoride treatments are a preventive dentistry solution we recommend for patients who have difficulty with at-home oral hygiene, have naturally thinner tooth enamel, and those who are generally prone to decay. Most patients receive adequate fluoride from daily tooth brushing or oral rinses, but there are others, especially young patients, who benefit from professional fluoride treatments during their six-month dental checkups. Fluoride is a nutrient that helps to strengthen the protective enamel layer of the tooth. Tooth enamel is one of the strongest substances in the human body, but with poor hygiene or decades of daily wear, even this hardy material can begin to weaken. This allows the tooth to more easily decay, chip, or crack. Professional fluoride treatments are just another layer of defense against the continual acid attack teeth experience while patients eat or drink.