Preventive Dentistry – Frisco, TX
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Preventive Dentistry
According to Dr. Caballeros, protecting the tooth enamel you have is always better than fixing problems when they appear. That’s why he and his team always stay proactive with preventive dentistry in Frisco, TX when it comes to tooth decay and gum disease. In the end, your oral health is kept in good shape and you spend less money on dental care overall! To make sure that you and your family’s smiles are kept in good shape, contact us today!
Why Choose On Point Dentistry™ for Preventive Dental Care?
- A One-Stop Shop for Your Preventive Dental Needs
- Saturday Appointments Available
- Easier Communication: Se Habla Español!
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
Many people aren’t sure how often they should have a checkup performed. Basic medical exams, such as a physical, are generally needed once a year. However, dental checkups and comprehensive cleanings need to be completed once every six months. Dental disease can easily develop, which is why we check more often.
But that’s not the only reason. Biannual checkups also allow us to stay on top of developing issues. The earlier we can catch small issues, such as gingivitis or tiny cavities, the more likely we can prevent more serious problems that require more extensive care. Our Frisco dental office will do everything possible to resolve your dental issues as quickly and comfortably as we can.
Nightguards for Bruxism
Getting up early in the morning can be tough enough for some people, but doing so with a bad headache or jaw can be difficult for anybody! If this happens to you quite regularly, it’s a sign that you may be grinding your teeth in your sleep, also known as bruxism. While untreated bruxism can wear down your teeth and even cause them to crack, there is a way to prevent future damage as well as chronic pain. Nightguards are custom-made appliances that protect your smile and make it easier to rest throughout the night.
Oral Cancer Screenings
With around 55,000 new cases diagnosed each year, oral cancer is a serious condition that if not treated promptly could be life-threatening. Fortunately, your dentist offers lifesaving oral cancer screenings in Frisco as part of your regular preventive checkup and cleaning. In fact, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation, dental screenings are responsible for detecting around 84 percent of all new cases of oral cancer, potentially saving thousands of lives annually!
Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer can be an extremely difficult condition to identify on your own. That’s because it often mimics the signs of more common and harmless conditions like the cold or benign mouth irritations. When examining your mouth, this potentially fatal condition can appear in the form of:
- Patches of tissue that appear discolored or splotchy.
- A lump, bump, or cold sore that won’t clear up after several weeks.
- Firm or elevated areas of oral tissue.
- Painful swallowing, or the feeling of a persistent lump in the throat.
- Unexplained oral bleeding or numbness in various areas of the mouth.
- Loose teeth.
- Pain while swallowing or chewing.
- Changes in the voice or a persistent sore throat.
If you notice any of these symptoms on your own, please don’t wait until your regularly scheduled dental checkup to have them examined. Instead, give your dentist in Frisco a call as soon as possible, or schedule a visit with your primary care physician.
What Does a Dentist Look for During an Oral Cancer Screening?
During your oral cancer screening, your dentist in Frisco will be on the lookout for any of the signs mentioned above. To do this, he will visually examine the lips, mouth, tongue, and your throat, evaluating what is likely benign, or could be the presence of oral cancer.
What Can I Expect During My Screening?
The good news is that your oral cancer screening in Frisco shouldn’t be painful. Your dentist may gently touch any suspicious areas of oral tissue to determine their consistency, making note of any areas that are especially firm or tender. They will also very gently palpate the neck, looking for any abnormal lumps that could indicate a tumor.
Should your dentist in Frisco identify anything suspicious, he may ask you to return to our office in a few weeks for a follow up. If this occurs, there’s no need to be alarmed, and it doesn’t necessarily mean you have oral cancer. In fact, your dentist cannot diagnose oral cancer at all. It only means that he’d like to keep a closer eye on any suspicious symptoms before deciding on the next steps.
To that end, we may also refer you to a specialist or oncologist for further testing or recommend follow-ups at On Point Dentistry to observe how these symptoms behave over a longer period.