Flossing & Brushing

Before patients ever visit our office, it’s up to them to keep their smiles whole and healthy by developing a thorough at-home hygiene routine. Flossing and brushing every day keeps teeth free from food particles and reduces the buildup of plaque and tartar on tooth surfaces. If it’s not removed, plaque and tartar eat away at teeth causing decay. Quick tips for optimal at-home care include: Brush twice a day for at least two minutes at a time using a fluoridated toothpaste Floss at least one time a day to remove plaque from between teeth and at the gum line Reduce intake of sugary and acidic foods and avoid snacking between meals Consume 5g of Xylitol each day

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Dental Checkups

Our goal is always to help patients keep their smiles whole and healthy for life, and one way we achieve this goal is to prevent major oral health issues by scheduling preventive dentistry exams every six months. During these dental checkups, our hygienists remove plaque and tartar buildup, and the dentist carefully examines patients’ smiles screening for signs of common oral health issues. Before you leave, we’ll create an ongoing dental care plan to help you keep your smile healthy.

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Nightguards for Bruxism

Patients who suffer from unconscious, nighttime teeth grinding and clenching, bruxism, may believe this is just a harmless bad habit. However, when left untreated, bruxism can lead to significant dental wear or damage including chipped, cracked, and fractured teeth. To protect patients’ teeth from this unconscious damage, we recommend a custom-crafted nightguard. These oral appliances are shaped to fit patients’ smiles comfortably, allowing for unobstructed breathing and speaking while the appliance is worn. Most importantly, the nightguards place a barrier between patients’ teeth protecting them from potential damage.

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Sportsguards

Sports related injuries are the leading cause of tooth loss for patients under the age of 25, and more than half of sports injuries involve the face. That’s why our team and the American Academy of Sports Medicine encourage patients to wear mouthguards when participating in any athletic activity where their smiles may come in contact with other players, hard surfaces, or sports equipment. Store bought guards provide some protection for patients, but they are not as comfortable or effective as the custom-crafted sportsguards available from our team.

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Oral Cancer Screenings

When diagnosed in the earliest stages, oral cancer patients have a 90% chance of successful recovery. However, statistics related to oral cancer tell us that not enough cases are diagnosed in these treatable stages. One person dies every hour from oral cancer, and more than 50% of those diagnosed annually do not live more than five years beyond diagnosis. The Brilliant Dental team is dedicated to helping our patients reduce the risk for oral cancer and improve their odds of making a full recovery by providing screenings for oral cancer as part of every six month dental checkup.

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Fluoride Treatments

As teeth develop, ingested fluoride found in tap water and other foods and beverages we consume strengthens the developing enamel. Once teeth erupt from the gums, topical fluoride is necessary to fortify enamel and protect patients from potential damage caused by decay. Fluoridated toothpastes and mouthwashes may offer adequate fluoride for many patients, but for those in need of additional help, we offer topical fluoride treatments as part of six month checkups. We typically recommend fluoride treatment for young patients, but we may also encourage adults who are prone to decay to receive topical fluoride applications.