Preventive Dentistry – Williamstown, NJ
Long-Term Oral Health
Starts with Prevention
Helping you achieve optimal oral health is very important to Dr. Wael Kassem and the rest of our team, but so is helping you maintain it. After all, it’s much better for your smile, your budget, and your schedule if we can help you prevent problems before they begin. That’s why patients can find several preventive dentistry in Williamstown, NJ at iSmile Dental Arts, including thorough evaluations, in-depth cleanings, and other helpful measures meant to protect and strengthen your teeth and gums.
Why Choose iSmile Dental Arts
for Preventive Dentistry?
- Highly Experienced and Caring Dentist
- Modern Technology in a Relaxing Dental Office
- Accepts Most Insurances and Flexible Financing Options
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
Dr. Kassem recommends that patients attend at least two check-ups and cleanings a year, or one every six months. Even those who are diligent with oral hygiene at home can miss certain areas or fall victim to more chronic problems that require expert attention. During these crucial visits, our Williamstown team can diagnose all of these issues and more.
Our evaluations are as thorough as possible, involving the surfaces of each tooth, the gums, the jaw, the bite, and more. Digital X-rays will be taken so that we can view inner structures that aren’t visible to the naked eye; they’re instantly visible on a nearby monitor and expose patients to up to 90% less radiation than traditional machines. Additionally, we recommend that adults undergo an oral cancer screening so that we can locate abnormal cells in the mouth as soon as possible.
Your hygiene appointment with one of our trusted team members, meanwhile, will involve the removal of hard deposits from your teeth. Also known as tartar or calculus, they form due to the plaque (bacteria) build-up on the teeth, and once in place, they can’t be moved with regular brushing and flossing. Thankfully, our team can wash them away and leave your smile feeling fresh and polished.
Learn About Checkups & Cleanings
Oral Cancer Screening
Dr. Kassem is not only looking for cavities and gum disease during your routine exams. He also stays on the lookout for early signs of oral cancer, a condition that is much easier to treat when found in the beginning stages of development. Not only are these exams quick and painless, but they could end up saving your life. This just proves why routine checkups are essential to your long-term oral and overall health.
Learn About Oral Cancer Screening
Fluoride Treatment
Even after a smile is checked and cleaned, it could still be at risk of tooth decay. A patient’s plaque-free teeth may have thin enamel that offers little protection against cavities. In these cases, our office suggests top-tier fluoride treatment from our qualified dental team. This procedure strengthens the defense of weak teeth, ensuring your pearly whites can resist bacteria and plaque. Learn more about it by reading below or by booking a consultation.
What is Fluoride?
You’ll need to know about fluoride itself before you can grasp fluoride treatment. Once you do, the procedure should make a great deal of sense to you.
At its core, fluoride is a natural mineral often found in water, soil, and various foods. The substance rebuilds or “re-mineralizes” your smile’s enamel layer when ingested. It thus strengthens your smile’s long-term defenses, helping your teeth resist tooth-decaying bacteria.
Society largely relies on fluoride to protect people from cavities. Indeed, many healthcare products – ranging from toothpaste to mouthwash – feature it as a main ingredient. Dentists will even apply the mineral directly onto your teeth.
How Does Fluoride Treatment Work?
A fluoride treatment usually occurs at the end of a checkup and cleaning. Once done, the patient’s smile ends up much stronger than before.
Dentists perform a few crucial steps to perform a fluoride treatment. For starters, a hygienist will “paint” a fluoride varnish onto your teeth with a brush or swab. (They could also put a fluoride foam or gel in a mouthguard that fits over your grin.) They’ll then let the applied mineral sit for at least a few minutes, all while making last-minute adjustments.
Dr. Kassem will also offer aftercare instructions after the fluoride treatment. For instance, he may advise that you not eat or drink for 30 minutes; meals can keep teeth from absorbing fluoride. He may also recommend that you don’t touch your teeth due to the fluoride’s stickiness.
Who Benefits from Fluoride Treatment?
If you receive fluoride treatment from our own Dr. Kassem, you should expect the following perks:
- Re-mineralized Teeth – Applied fluoride gel will lower your risk of cavities, as it re-mineralizes and strengthens your smile’s enamel.
- Reversal of Tooth Decay – Aside from strengthening teeth, fluoride treatment also somewhat reverses tooth decay. Its remineralization stops existing cavities from getting worse.
- Less Bacterial Buildup – Fluoride gel reduces the growth of harmful bacteria on teeth. After all, it disrupts certain enzymes that are crucial to bacterial formation.
- Cost-Effective Care – By lowering your risk of tooth decay, fluoride treatment saves you money otherwise spent on dental fillings, dental crowns, or root canals.
By visiting us directly, you can confirm whether you’re a good candidate for fluoride treatment. Dr. Kassem will use your consultation to check your smile’s stability, suggest oral hygiene products, etc.
Dental Sealants
There are deep pits and grooves in your back molars that can trap bacteria and food particles very easily, and while adults have typically learned how to care for these tricky areas, younger patients may struggle. With the help of dental sealants, Dr. Kassem can provide certain teeth with an extra layer of protection that minimizes the risk of cavities. We simply paint a tough, plastic material over the top of the tooth and allow it to “seal” the area. Treatment takes only a few minutes, and sealants can last for years.
Nightguards for Teeth Grinding
If headaches, facial pain, or teeth that look strangely worn down are common parts of your morning routine, you may be suffering from bruxism, also known as teeth grinding. This common habit typically affects patients while they’re sleeping, making it near-impossible for them to stop on their own. Thankfully, Dr. Kassem offers personalized oral appliances known as nightguards. By wearing a nightguard, patients can slightly reposition their jaw or provide teeth with a barrier that protects them from harm, allowing you to sleep comfortably throughout the night.
What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the clenching and/or grinding of the teeth – usually during sleep. This is a common issue among people of all ages. Some common causes may include stress, abnormal bite, missing teeth, and sleep apnea. When left untreated, bruxism can lead to excessive wear and tear of the teeth and jaw pain. Many people are unaware that they have bruxism until complications arise. Here are some common signs and symptoms of bruxism that you should be aware of.
- Wearing of the teeth
- Fractured teeth and fillings
- Grinding noises
- Facial muscle pain and aches
- Locking, cracking, and clicking of the jaws
- Frequent headaches
- Tired or stiff jaw muscles and joints
Customized vs. Store Bought Nightguards
Nightguards are customized appliances that are meant to be worn during sleep to prevent clenching and grinding. They work by keeping the bottom and top teeth from coming into direct contact with each other. This takes the pressure off the teeth at night, helping you to achieve more quality sleep without risking your oral health. There are two main types of nightguards to choose from:
- Store-Bought
- One-Size-Fits-All: The first over-the-counter option takes a one-size-fits-all approach. These products are designed to fit most mouth types.
- Boil-and-Bite: This type of nightguard softens when boiled, so you are able to bite into it to create a better fit for your smile.
- Customized
- In the case of a getting a customized nightguard, we take a professional impression of your teeth and send it on to the laboratory where your nightguard will be made just for you. During your next dental visit, you can confirm that the guide fits as it should.
The Process of Getting a Nightguard
During your appointment, we will take a look at your teeth and make impressions of your mouth so that your appliance can be personalized to meet your needs. We will send the impressions to the dental lab to custom-craft your nightguard. This way, you can be assured that it fits perfectly. When complete, you will return to our dental office to try it on. Findal adjustments can be made if necessary.
The Benefits of Getting a Nightguard for Bruxism
There are many benefits that you can expect when you get a nightguard. Here are just some of them.
- Teeth Protection: Nightguards protect teeth while you sleep, minimizing and preventing damage.
- Customized: Nightguards are customized just for you, so they will fit perfectly and comfortably in your mouth.
- Healthier Teeth: By reducing the amount of grinding and clenching, you can reduce wear and tear of the tooth enamel.
- Improved Breathing: Over-the-counter nightguards can restrict your airflow. Since our nightguards are customized, you won’t run into this issue.
Caring for Your Nightguard
Keeping up proper maintenance is needed to keep your appliance in good shape. You will receive a plastic case to keep your nightguard in a goof space while you use it. You should rinse and brush your appliance after each use. When cleaning your appliance, keep the following things in mind.
- Use only clean, cool water to wash your nightguard
- Don’t use a denture cleanser
- Don’t use hot water for cleaning
- Avoid alcohol or hydrogen peroxide for cleaning
- Don’t keep your appliance in direct sunlight
Sportsguards
Do you or your child play a sport that involves possible contact with other players or a hard surface? We recommend wearing a customized sportsguard. This oral appliance fits comfortably over your smile, protecting it from damage and allowing you to participate with complete confidence.
