Keeping your teeth healthy for life with preventative dentistry

It has been our privilege at Silsby Family Dental to serve generations of families across the Albion, New York, area for more than 40 years. We have earned the trust of multiple generations of patients with our proactive approach to dentistry. Preventative dental care is so much more affordable and easy than restorative dentistry services to resolve decay and other conditions after damage has already been done to the teeth, gums, and supportive tissues.

What can I do to prevent tooth decay?

In addition to consistently good brushing and flossing, be sure to maintain regular visits to our office. These visits, or “checkups,” should be scheduled at least twice yearly. As needed, Dr. Evan Silsby may recommend that you visit us more often. During checkups, Dr. Silsby examines your mouth. He may take x-rays to get a better look at hard-to-see or potentially concerning areas. Screenings will also be performed to check for lumps, bumps, and other potential signs of oral cancer. Our hygienists will also perform cleanings to remove causes of tooth decay and oral disease that can’t be removed with your toothbrush or floss: stubborn plaque build-up or tartar. So, prevention is really a combination of ongoing and diligent oral care at home and professional services that can only be found at your dentist’s office.

Are these visits really enough to keep my teeth healthy?

Yes, they can be. But, of course, every patient is different. As needed, we may also recommend safe fluoride varnishes or trays to remineralize weak or vulnerable teeth. Or, we may place a special coating on the backmost teeth to protect these molars from decay. Nine out of every 10 cavities form in these areas due partly to their hard-to-clean, uneven, and grooved surfaces. We may even recommend special appliances or occlusal guards to protect the teeth and surrounding tissues from damage. Some patients may be good candidates for the “deep cleaning” alternative to the standard cleaning: scaling and root planing.

Why would I need an occlusal guard?

There are many reasons these appliances may be a good idea for you. If you play sports or engage in high-contact activities, we may design a sports mouthguard that is custom-fit to your mouth. Or, if you have the telltale signs of bruxism (chronic teeth grinding), nightguards or oral splints are made to be worn while you are sleeping – when most people involuntarily grind their teeth. The guard acts as a cushion to protect the teeth and other parts of the mouth from damage caused by the extreme forces placed on the oral tissues from grinding and jaw clenching behaviors. Still, other devices slightly reposition the teeth and alter how they come together to ease the effects of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs). So, with these appliances, you can even put the brakes on associated chronic migraines, earaches, jaw and neck pain, and more.

Why would I need a deep cleaning?

Scaling and root planing are services offered to patients with active gum disease. We aim to intervene with this progressive condition before it damages the attachments and supportive bone in the jaw, which could lead to tooth loss. Scaling and root planing (SRP) cleans below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces to promote healing.

To learn more about these and other services, contact Silsby Family Dental in Albion, NY, at (585) 589-4325.