Preventive Dentistry Orange
Conservative Care for Cavity-Free Smiles
Dr. Janelle Comfort’s primary goal for our dental office is to make it easy for our patients to take care of their teeth, and that’s why she takes a prevention-first approach to treatment. She’s proactive about stopping cavities and gum disease before they even start so patients don’t have to take the time and expense to fix them. This way, people can spend less time in the dental chair and more doing just about anything else! To schedule you or your child’s next preventive dentistry visit in Orange, give us a call today.
Why Choose OC Dental Studio for Preventive Dentistry?
- Happy to Treat Kids, Adults, & Seniors Alike!
- Friendly, Non-Judgmental Team
- Dental Insurance Accepted & Maximized
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
Want to keep yourself and your entire family cavity-free? It just takes three things: Brush and floss every day, limit sugar intake, and get a professional checkup and cleaning once every six months. These appointments enable Dr. Comfort to find any decay, damage, or signs of infection in your mouth as early as possible so she can treat them right away. You’ll also receive a thorough teeth cleaning from a hygienist at these routine appointments, which will remove the hardened plaque (tartar) from your teeth that your tools at home can’t, leaving you with a smile that feels healthy and porcelain smooth.
Learn More About Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
Periodontal Therapy
Periodontal therapy is designed to take care of another important part of your mouth—your gums! Without adequate hygiene, they can actually develop an infection called gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss if ignored for too long! We screen the gums whenever someone comes to see us, and if we notice any swelling or redness, we can use a deep cleaning and antibiotics to quickly eliminate any harmful bacteria.
Learn More About Periodontal Therapy
Oral Cancer Screenings
Each year, an estimated 450,000 people around the world are diagnosed with oral cancer, and early detection of this potentially life-threatening illness is often the key to making a full recovery. That’s why at OC Dental Studio, we are proud to offer oral cancer screenings in Orange County as part of your regular preventive dental checkup and cleaning appointments. These examinations take just a few minutes, are completely painless, and could even save your life!
Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Identifying oral cancer on your own can be difficult because the symptoms of this illness often look a lot like signs of the common cold or other benign mouth irritations. Common symptoms include:
- Discolored or splotchy patches of skin
- Lumps, bumps, or cold sores that won’t heal after a week or two
- Pain or difficulty swallowing
- A lump in the throat
- Unexplained oral bleeding or numbness
- Loose teeth
- Discomfort while eating
- Sudden changes in the voice or persistent sore throat
What Does a Dentist Look for During an Oral Cancer Screening?
During your oral cancer screening, your dentist will visually examine your mouth, including your lips, tongue, and throat for any of the signs mentioned above. If any are spotted, they will evaluate which symptoms are most likely benign, concerning, or should be monitored to see if they heal or go away on their own.
What Can I Expect During My Screening?
Your dentist may touch suspicious areas of oral tissue to see how firm or sensitive they are. They will also gently palpate your neck to check for throat lumps. If anything suspicious is spotted, you may be asked to return in a few weeks for a follow-up exam. However, if this happens, it is important to not panic as it does not necessarily mean you have oral cancer.
Please be aware that dentists cannot diagnose oral cancer. Follow-up appointments are important for investigating the symptoms further to see how they change over time. If they still appear suspicious on your second visit, your dentist may refer you to a specialist for testing and diagnosis.
Fluoride Treatment
In addition to using a fluoridated toothpaste at home and regularly drinking tap water (that likely has fluoride added to it), patients can stay cavity-free by getting a topical fluoride treatment whenever they come to see us for regular checkups. Fluoride is able to strengthen the enamel and repair any areas of minor decay, and by applying a highly-concentrated gel to the teeth, we can give someone a quick and lasting boost of protection.
Nightguards for Bruxism
Up to one in three Americans grind their teeth while they sleep, which is a condition called bruxism. Over time, this can wear down the teeth to the point of breaking, strain the jaw muscles, and even cause chronic headaches—all of which are unpleasant to wake up to! With a nightguard, however, Dr. Comfort can help a patient rest easy and protect their smile at the same time. This small oral device is worn to bed and fits over the teeth to prevent them from coming together during the night, avoiding any damage.