Preventing a problem from happening in the first place is much easier than having to get it fixed later, and that couldn’t be truer when it comes to your teeth! Using the services listed below, Dr. Lively can help you catch and treat minor dental damage and tooth decay as soon as possible so it can’t turn into a bigger problem later, ensuring that your smile stays healthy and your dental appointments remain short. To schedule an appointment with us so we can safeguard your smile, contact us today.
Preventive Dentistry – Mangum, OK
The Key To Staying Cavity-Free
Why Choose Us for Preventive Dentistry?
- Hometown dentist with over 20 years of experience
- Patient comfort is priority #1
- Faith-based atmosphere
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
While routine brushing and flossing are essential to your long-term oral health, the fact of the matter is that your tools at home simply can’t clean every single surface in your mouth. As a result, plaque can slowly build up in hard-to-reach areas without you even knowing it, leading to decay and cavities.
The only way to effectively clean these trouble spots is to be taken care of by one of our excellent hygienists. Using advanced tools and their trained eyes, they’ll make sure your smile is spotless, protecting you from cavities while also giving your teeth a nice polish.
These appointments will also allow Dr. Lively to examine the hard and soft tissues of your mouth, looking for any signs of cavities or wear and tear. If they see a problem, they can help you take care of it right away, giving you one less thing to stress about.
Learn About Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
Gum Disease Treatment
While much of dentistry is focused on the teeth, there is another component of your smile we can take care of here at 333 Dental Care—your gums! Your gum tissue helps support your teeth and even protects the sensitive enamel located around the roots. If plaque and bacteria are allowed to build up along the gum line, they can actually develop an infection called periodontal disease, better known as gum disease.
Early symptoms of gum disease are subtle. You might notice a little redness or swelling, but over time, it can lead to gum recession, persistent bad breath, loose teeth, and ultimately tooth loss.
That’s why we will take a close look at your gums every time you come to see us. If we spot a problem, we can use a special dental cleaning called scaling and root planing to remove the infection. After that, we can put you on an oral care regimen that will ensure the harmful bacteria never come back.
Nightguards for Bruxism
Bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, affects millions of people in the US every year, often during sleep. Over time, this constant grinding and clenching can wear down your smile, causing chips, cracks, and uneven chewing surfaces. The worst part is that many patients don't even realize they grind their teeth until Dr. Lively spots the signs during a checkup.
A custom nightguard creates a barrier between your upper and lower teeth, absorbing the pressure of grinding and helping prevent the damage and jaw pain that come with it.
Customized vs. Store-Bought Nightguards
Nightguards are available over the counter, but these one-size-fits-all options often fall short when it comes to both comfort and effectiveness. Because they're not molded to your teeth, they can feel bulky, shift out of place overnight, or fail to fully protect your bite.
A custom nightguard from our Magnum dentist, on the other hand, is designed specifically for your mouth using an impression of your teeth. This attention to detail creates a snug, comfortable fit that stays in place and provides far more reliable protection against the effects of bruxism.
The Process of Getting a Nightguard
Getting a custom nightguard starts with a consultation where our team will check the state of your teeth, gums, and jaw. Next, we’ll take an impression of your teeth using our TRIOS® digital impression system. After the model is complete, we’ll send it to a dental lab to have your guard fabricated.
Once your appliance is ready, you'll return to our Mangum office to try it on. Dr. Lively will check the fit and make any necessary adjustments to ensure it feels comfortable and functions properly before you take it home.
Benefits of Nightguards for Bruxism
A well-fitted nightguard offers many important benefits, including:
- Protecting Your Teeth: The guard acts like a cushion, keeping your teeth from grinding together and preventing wear. It also keeps any existing dental work you have from being damaged.
- Reducing Jaw Pain & Headaches: If you normally wake up with pain in your jaw or a throbbing headache, a nightguard can eliminate these symptoms.
- Helping You Sleep: Grinding and clenching can wake you up or reduce your sleep quality. A nightguard restores comfort, allowing you to finally sleep through the night.
Caring for Your Nightguard
Keeping your nightguard clean is vitally important to its longevity and its safe, continued use. Rinse it with water each morning and brush it gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush (without toothpaste, which can be abrasive) to remove saliva and buildup.
Always store it in its case when not in use to protect it from curious children, playful pets, and bacteria. You should also avoid exposing it to hot water, which can warp the material and ruin its fit. Finally, bring your nightguard to your regular checkups so Dr. Lively can make sure it's still fitting well and doing its job.