Preventive Dentistry Braintree

Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings

The American Dental Association, along with our team at Dr. George Salem and Associates, PC, recommends that all patients over one year old receive bi-annual dental checkups and cleanings. Typically, these are scheduled six months apart and consist of a thorough examination of the teeth and gums, as well as a professional teeth cleaning from one of our skilled dental hygienists. The goal of checkups and cleanings is to spot and treat the earliest signs of dental problems and remove plaque and tartar before it has a chance to progress into an issue that’s more serious.

Oral Cancer Screening

At each of your routine checkups, you will also receive an oral cancer screening. This only takes a moment to complete, but can be lifesaving for some patients. Oral cancer is an incredibly deadly disease when it’s not diagnosed in early stages, which is why our team strives to spot even the smallest signs, allowing us to refer you to an appropriate specialist as soon as possible.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is a naturally derived mineral that’s produced by rocks and found in a variety of natural items, ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to the soil and air. However, most people are familiar with fluoride because they know it’s added to most community water sources as a cavity prevention method. If we notice that you’re not receiving enough of this mineral, we may recommend supplementing it with a quick and easy fluoride treatment following your cleaning. For children, we can also help arrest and prevent cavities with silver diamine fluoride.

Dental Sealants

Because children are still learning how to properly care for their smiles, they’re often at a much higher risk of developing cavities due to plaque and tartar accumulation. By placing clear protective coatings over the biting surface of their molars, we can prevent the accumulation of food debris and plaque by creating a smooth surface that’s easier to clean. Plus, dental sealants can continue protecting teeth for years down the road.

Nightguards for Bruxism

Do you wake up with a sore jaw? Have you noticed that your molars appear flat and ground-down? These are two of the most common signs of bruxism, or the grinding and clenching of your teeth. It typically occurs as you sleep, putting you at a high risk of waking up with a chipped or cracked tooth, or leading to the development of secondary conditions, like TMJ disorder. We can create a customized cushioning nightguard to safeguard your pearly whites as well as your jaw joints and muscles.

TMJ Treatment

TMJ disorder is a condition that impacts the two joints that connect your jaw to your skull on either side of your mouth. They allow you to seamlessly open and close your mouth, chew food, and move your jaw from side-to-side. Unfortunately, when they’re overworked, stressed, or filled with tension due to a variety of underlying reasons, you may experience different uncomfortable symptoms that impact your daily life. To address TMJ disorder, we can create a customized occlusal splint to safely shift your jaw into its ideal position, easing your joint stress and minimizing the severity of your symptoms.