Oral Hygiene

Patients always ask our advice for keeping their smile healthy for life, and we always answer with a resounding, “Hygiene!” It’s no wonder we always ask you how you’ve been keeping up on your oral hygiene routine at home – because it’s so important! A good oral hygiene routine includes daily brushing and flossing, and twice annual visits with your Gilbert dentist.

Here’s some advice straight from the professionals at Stoneridge Dental on how to keep your pearly whites white and pearly in between visits:

1. Invest in an electric toothbrush. We recommend Sonicare® for the best cleaning power.
2. Brush at least twice every day, once in the morning and once before bed.
3. Brush before you eat, not after. The acid left on your teeth after eating or drinking can damage your enamel when brushed.
4. Floss every night before bed to remove plaque between teeth and prevent gum disease.
5. Curve the floss in a C-shape around the teeth and under the gumline, rather than just snapping it up and down.
6. Rinse with mouthwash to kill bacteria in the whole mouth that brushing and flossing can miss.
7. Rinse with water after eating to remove bacteria and plaque, or when brushing is not available.

Tooth Colored Fillings

In the past, having a cavity filled meant compromising the natural look of your smile with an unsightly metal filling. Not only are metal fillings an eye sore, but they tend to expand and contract with temperature changes, making them unstable and prone to cracking and breaking. The trace amounts of mercury found in metal fillings can also be quite toxic to the human body, causing mercury poisoning or mercury toxicity for some patients.

Thankfully, at Stoneridge Dental, we have a discreet, stable, and safe alternative with tooth colored fillings. Some of the benefits of tooth colored fillings include:

• Color matched to blend in seamlessly with natural teeth
• Stable with temperature changes
• Bonded directly for less removal of healthy tooth structure
• Safe and non-toxic for the human body
• Fill cavities and prevent further decay

Oral Cancer Screenings

Click the image above to enlarge

When you only see your regular doctor when a problem arises, your Gilbert dentist is in a unique position (inside your mouth) to detect oral cancer in the early stages. Oral cancer incidence is unfortunately on the rise, but most of the deaths caused by oral cancer are the result of late stage diagnosis. Early diagnosis is essential for the best chance of survival and recovery.

We are always on the lookout for potential signs of oral cancer, and you should be on the lookout for them as well. Signs of oral cancer include (can be found on the lips, cheeks, tongue, gums, throat, or any surface of the mouth):

• Swelling, thickening, lumps, rough spots, crusting, or erosion
• Velvety white, red, or speckled patches
• Unexplained bleeding
• Numbness or loss of feeling
• Pain or tenderness
• Persistent sores
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue
• Hoarseness, chronic sore throat, change in voice
• Ear pain

Risk factors for developing oral cancer include:

• Smoking – Smokers are six times more likely to develop oral cancer than non-smokers
• Chewing – Patients who dip, snuff, or chew are 50 times more likely to develop oral cancer
• Alcohol – Oral cancer is six times more common in drinkers than non-drinkers
• Family history of cancer
• Excessive sun exposure
• HPV

Mouthguards

A good mouthguard is an essential piece of equipment for any athlete, kids and adults included. Mouthguards can help reduce the impact of oral sports injuries and prevent tooth loss. While any mouth guard is better than no mouth guard, only a custom mouth guard from Stoneridge Dental offers the most comfortable fit and the highest level of protection against oral injuries and concussions.

If you thought mouth guards were only for sports, think again! A custom mouth guard from your Gilbert dentist can provide a huge amount of relief from pain associated with TMJ and protection from teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism). Wearing a night guard while you sleep can prevent your teeth from being worn down over time, and allow you to wake up pain-free and ready to take on the day.

If you have any questions about our services or would like to schedule a visit with your Gilbert, AZ dentist, Dr. Nathan Saydyk at Stoneridge Dental, give us a call today at (480) 400-8700 or request an appointment online!