Preventive Dentistry – Owings Mills, MD
High Quality Care Today for a Healthy Tomorrow
When it comes to keeping your smile full and healthy throughout the years, prevention is key. After all, it’s much easier to guard your oral health against potential issues now rather than have to undergo treatment for damage later on. That’s why Dr. Monica Mattson and her staff want to offer you a dental care home right here in Owings Mills where you can receive the help and education you need. Our general dentistry services are designed to revitalize your teeth and gums, pinpoint problems as early as possible, and offer valuable protection. There’s nothing more we enjoy then giving patients the confidence they need to enjoy their smiles!
Dental Checkups & Cleanings
We strongly recommend that patients of all ages attend two dental check-ups a year, or one every six months. During this process, our team will inspect your smile with the help of digital X-rays, intraoral cameras, and other technology so that we can be sure to get the most thorough information about your oral health possible. Once we have a complete picture of your unique needs, we can work together to create a customized treatment plan that will effectively treat any decay or damage. You’ll also undergo an in-depth hygiene appointment with one of our trusted hygienists, who will remove built-up plaque and tartar from your teeth and leave them feeling polished and refreshed!
Nightguards/Sportguards
Do you struggle with a sore jaw or constant headaches? You may be grinding your teeth unconsciously during the day or while sleeping. This condition is called bruxism, and it can often be a result of stress. The constant pressure and motion causes damage to your teeth, jaw, muscles, and other important features of your oral health.
Additionally, those who are active in sports need to wear the right protective gear to prevent damage to their teeth. A sportsguard is designed to protect teeth at every stage of development, no matter what contact sport your child plays.
Thankfully, Dr. Mattson, an expert dentist in Owings Mills, can remedy the situation and provide your smile with relief and protection it needs through the use of a nightguard or sportsguard. All you have to do is wear this customized oral appliance during sleep or when playing sports, which will discourage grinding and protect your mouth from further damage. For many patients, nightguards completely eliminate the issue of bruxism, while sportsguards offer superior comfort and protection. If symptoms persist, we will be happy to prescribe alternative therapies.
Oral Cancer Screenings
It may be surprising to hear, but tens of thousands of Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. Out of the 54,000 people diagnosed annually, approximately 10,000 pass away as a result of their illness. The key to treating oral cancer effectively is catching it in the earliest stages, and Dr. Mattson has the expertise to confirm when the signs are present. During every routine exam, she’ll be on the lookout for red or white patches of skin, lumps or bumps in the mouth or neck, and other oral cancer signs and symptoms.
Children's Dentistry
Dentistry matters at every age, but for young patients it’s even more important because the care and attention they receive now can impact them for the rest of their lives. We’ll always make your children feel comfortable during their appointment, whether they need to have a basic cleaning and exam completed or dental sealants applied to protect their developing teeth. We recommend that you bring your child for their first appointment once their first tooth erupts, or by their first birthday to practice preventive dentistry in Owings Mills.
Dental Sealants
We offer dental sealants as a preventive measure that is especially popular for children. This treatment utilizes a thin layer of composite resin that is typically placed over the chewing surfaces of the molars—the teeth that are more susceptible to cavities and tooth decay. Once placed, dental sealants lower the risk of decay by preventing cavities before they even happen. This is beneficial for children because they typically don’t clean their teeth as well as adults, and they love consuming sugary foods.
Fluoride Treatment
Another preventive service that is geared toward children is fluoride treatment. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps fight cavities and can even repair very slight damage in tooth enamel. This amazing mineral can be found in most tap water, but we also offer concentrated forms for extra smile protection. We can easily administer fluoride through a varnish-like paint that goes directly on your child’s teeth. It’s painless, easy to do, and it will help lower their risk of problems like tooth decay. The best part is that this can be an easy and quick add on to your child’s normal dental checkups and cleanings.
Sedation Dentistry
If you struggle to get your dental appointments completed due to dental anxiety or phobia, you may want to consider nitrous oxide sedation at our office. If you have a sensitive gag reflex or simply a low tolerance for dental discomfort, you’ll also find sedation to be quite life-changing. Nitrous oxide is a gaseous substance that is inhaled throughout the treatment, providing you immediate relief and comfort for the remainder of your appointment.
Contact Our Office Today!
It’s never too late to start taking an interest in your teeth. At Diamond Dental of Owings Mills, we can help you achieve and maintain a vibrant, healthy smile in a way that fits your lifestyle. Contact our office today to schedule your first appointment.