Preventive dentistry is the branch of dentistry that is focused on preventing dental problems, such as tooth decay and periodontal disease. We are proud to provide preventive dentistry in St. Joseph, Missouri to help you maintain good oral health. Our experienced dentist, Dr. Michael Hollingsworth, is dedicated to helping you keep your smile in good health. We would much rather prevent dental problems than fix them! We provide a number of preventive dental treatments to protect your smile from being damaged by conditions such as:
- Periodontal disease (gum disease)
- Tooth decay
- Bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching)
When you visit our dental office, we work hard to ensure that your visit is comfortable and enjoyable. Our dental team is friendly and skilled, and they are certain to put you at ease. Our preventive dental treatments are pleasant and painless, and most of them require only one visit to our dental office. To help keep your smile in optimal health, we encourage you to visit us at Hollingsworth Dental every six months for a regular dental cleaning and exam. This helps Dr. Hollingsworth to identify any dental problems as soon as possible and helps us remain aware of any preventive dental treatments you might need to protect your smile. To learn more about preventive dentistry and to schedule your next visit, we invite you to contact us today.
Dental Cleanings
Dental cleanings are designed to keep your smile healthy. Dr. Hollingsworth, our talented dentist, recommends that you visit our dental office every six months for a regular dental cleaning. Routine dental cleanings help to prevent dental problems, such as tooth decay and periodontal disease, and ensure that any conditions are treated as soon as possible.
Dental cleanings in St. Joseph, Missouri are completed in just one visit to our dental office. During your one-hour appointment, Dr. Hollingsworth and our dental hygienists will thoroughly clean and polish your teeth, gently removing any plaque you might have missed during your daily brushing and flossing. We will also perform an exam to check for signs of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and other problems. To ensure that we detect any conditions that may require treatment, we use dental X-rays, which allow us to further examine your smile. If we detect any dental problems, Dr. Hollingsworth will recommend treatment to improve the health of your smile. We strive to treat dental problems as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your smile and to restore your oral health.
Regular dental cleanings are a necessity for patients of all ages. We welcome you to call our dental office today to learn more and to schedule your next visit. We look forward to caring for your smile!
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing are deep cleanings that can restore the health of your smile if you suffer from periodontal disease (gum disease). Root planing and scaling cleans the teeth down to the roots and between the gums. Dr. Hollingsworth and his dental team will ensure that the scaling and root planing treatment is as comfortable as possible.
In St. Joseph, Missouri, scaling and root planing requires just one visit to our dental office. Your appointment will last approximately an hour and a half, and Dr. Hollingsworth may use a local anesthetic to make sure that your visit is pleasant. Your skilled dentist and dental hygienist will use a dental tool to scrape the plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the teeth down to the roots.
Root planing and scaling may be needed if your gums have begun to recede (pull away from the teeth) or if the roots of the teeth have tartar (hard mineral deposits) on them. Gum recession is one of the signs of periodontal disease; other common symptoms include:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Persistent bad breath
- Swollen gums
- Loose teeth
- Painful chewing
- Red, tender gums
If you notice the signs of periodontal disease, we urge you to contact us at Hollingsworth Dental today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Hollingsworth.
Bite Planes (Mouth Guards)
Bite planes, which are also referred to as bite guards or mouth guards, are used to treat bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching). Bruxism can lead to serious tooth damage and several painful symptoms. The bite plane fits over the teeth, between the upper and lower jaws, to prevent teeth grinding and clenching. In many cases, you will only need to wear the bite plane at night to prevent teeth grinding and clenching while you sleep.
Bite planes in St. Joseph, Missouri require two visits to our comfortable dental office. Each appointment will last approximately half an hour. During the first visit, Dr. Hollingsworth, your skilled dentist, will take impressions of your teeth. This ensures that your custom-made bite planes fit your teeth and bite. Dr. Hollingsworth will place the bite plane during the second visit and check that it properly fits your mouth.
We may recommend a bite plane for you if you suffer from bruxism. The signs of bruxism include:
- Worn down, flattened, cracked, or chipped teeth
- Jaw pain and tightness
- Facial pain
- Tension headaches and migraines
- Indentations on the side of the tongue
- Tired jaw muscles
- Ear pain
- Exposed inner layers of the tooth
If you notice these symptoms, you may benefit from a bite plane. We invite you to contact our dental office to schedule a visit with Dr. Hollingsworth.
Fluoride Treatment
Our caring dentist, Dr. Michael Hollingsworth, is pleased to provide fluoride treatment in St. Joseph, Missouri to help you keep your smile in the best of health. Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally found in water and in many foods. Fluoride helps to protect your teeth from decay by remineralizing the enamel layer of the tooth as it is attacked by acids from sugars and plaque bacteria. This helps to prevent cavities and can even reverse early decay. To supplement your fluoride intake, Dr. Hollingsworth may recommend fluoride treatment at our dental office. Excessive exposure to high concentrations of fluoride during tooth development can cause streaks or mottling of the tooth color; our skilled dentist and dental team ensure that your fluoride treatment is safe and that you do not experience over exposure.
Fluoride treatment requires only one short visit to Hollingsworth Dental. Professional fluoride treatments are available in the form of a gel, varnish, or foam that is applied to the teeth. The fluoride is allowed to remain on the teeth for a period of time before you rinse or brush it off.
Fluoride treatment can help you prevent tooth decay and maintain good oral health. For more information on how fluoride treatment can protect your smile, we invite you to contact us today.