Preventive Dentistry

We truly believe that regular dental examinations are important in order for your child to have good dental health and a smile of which he or she can be proud. We start by doing a professional cleaning, removing all of the bad tartar and other buildup on your child’s teeth.

We then do an examination, looking to catch and fix any problems before they become bigger ones. We examine each tooth, looking for any signs of decay, damage, or any other problems, such as signs of infection. We want to correct any problems your child may have before they get any worse.

We like to see your little ones for the first time before they turn two! Their first visit is a complimentary "Happy Visit" where they will get to ride in the chair, feel the "wind" on their tooth from the air/water tip, and will get their teeth counted and polished. We make this visit fun and comfortable! Dr. Ewell will visually determine if there are any obvious cavities that need attention. Once children are around age four, we will begin by taking their first series of dental X-rays. We love seeing children of all ages and making positive memories at the dentist!

Professional dental cleanings will remove the buildup of plaque and tartar that you cannot remove on your own. Then, your teeth will be polished nicely. We recommend all our patients have a fluoride varnish applied to their teeth to help strengthen and protect the enamel and prevent cavities.

When necessary, Scaling or Root Planing, or "deep cleanings" are done if you have gum disease. The bacteria that cause periodontal disease cause bone loss around the teeth and can even lead to tooth loss. This bacteria and tartar form underneath the gums and cling to the surface of the roots. We want to prevent tooth loss and maintain the level of your bone. During these deep cleanings, our hygienist will get specific problem areas of the mouth numb and can then comfortably clean underneath the gums. These scaling or root planing treatments are then followed by three or four month periodontal maintenance intervals to keep the periodontal bacteria in check.

Professional cleanings also give our dentists a chance to really look at your teeth. We will do a thorough examination to make sure you don’t have any other problems that need to be addressed. We are hoping to catch any little problems before they become bigger ones!

If you often wake up with jaw pain, earaches, or headaches, or if you find yourself clenching or grinding your teeth (particularly when you are stressed or stuck in rush-hour traffic), you may have a common condition called “bruxism" and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (commonly referred to as "TMJ.").

Most people do grind their teeth (including both of our doctors) when they sleep and cannot help it. If not corrected, bruxism can lead to heavy wear and tear on teeth and can cause your natural teeth and crowns to fracture.

There is an easy, non-invasive treatment for bruxism: nightguards (also called occlusal guards). Nightguards are custom-made to your teeth and fitted to be comfortable and not bulky. They are typically made for the upper teeth but are sometimes made for the lower teeth. When worn at night, they prevent your teeth from wearing away on each other. After nightly use, patients notice an improvement in their TMJ symptoms.