Preventive Dentistry Winthrop
Helping You Embrace a Healthier Smile for Life
At Brooks Dental, we want to help you maintain great oral health for a lifetime. Unfortunately, many adults will still experience moderate to severe cases of dental decay and periodontal (gum) disease. Visiting our dental office at least every six months is a great way to ensure you aren’t surprised by a cavity or periodontal infection -- but if you do find yourself dealing with discomfort, persistent bad breath, swollen and tender gums, and many other side effects associated with tooth decay and gum disease, our team at Brooks Dental can help. Call us to schedule an appointment so that we can help you embrace a healthier smile for life.
Why Choose Brooks Dental for Preventive Dentistry?
- Dental Practice Serving the Winthrop Community Since 1959
- Dentists Provide a Judgment-Free Zone as Part of Core Values
- Children, Adults & Whole Families are Always Welcome
Dental Checkups & Cleanings
Every patient, both young and old, needs to visit the dentist’s office at least twice each year. Why? Because even diligent brushers and flossers can end up with dental problems that go unnoticed by untrained eyes. At Brooks Dental, our knowledgeable team can pinpoint them in the earliest stages during a dental checkup and provide effective treatment. Additionally, our skilled hygienists will eliminate decay-causing plaque, tartar buildup, and staining by completing a thorough cleaning.
Learn More About Dental Check Ups and Cleanings
Gum Disease Treatment
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is the #1 cause of tooth loss among adults in the United States. This oral infection is no laughing matter, and our team works hard to help you avoid it through individualized care and effective therapy options.
Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment
Oral Cancer Screenings
On average, one person dies from oral cancer every hour. It is critical to catch these lesions in their earliest stages, and many patients aren’t aware of one until it is too late. We at Brooks Dental perform oral cancer screenings for all of our patients at every cleaning and dental exam. A thorough examination of your tongue, lips, oral tissues, and airway is completed, and we do our due diligence and arrange for biopsy for any areas of concern.
Nightguards for Bruxism
Bruxism (otherwise known as “teeth grinding”) is an extremely common condition that affects people of all ages. If you’re regularly waking up in the mornings with a sore jaw and headaches, you are likely grinding your teeth at night in your sleep. Thankfully, our team can help protect your smile from wear and tear with the support of a custom-made nightguard. This sturdy appliance establishes a tough barrier between the top and bottom teeth, absorbing the impact of nighttime clenching and grinding.
Fluoride Treatments
Years of research have demonstrated a clear, positive link between healthier, stronger teeth and safe exposure to fluoride through drinking water and oral hygiene products. This natural mineral strengthens your tooth enamel, which is why our dentists may recommend professional applications for children and adults during routine checkups. This process only takes a few minutes and is a safe and effective way to fight cavities.
Dental Checkups & Cleanings for Children
Similar to adults, children also need regular dental checkups and cleanings that occur every six months. With constantly changing smiles and facial features, our dentists can closely monitor these developments over time while also readily identifying early signs of cavities, gum disease, and improper bite alignment. In addition to our careful examinations, our skilled dental hygienists will also clear away plaque build-up to give your child a healthier, happier smile.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are an excellent and easy way to help younger patients enjoy healthier teeth as they’re still learning how to brush and floss. A sealant is a thin, protective layer made from safe, resin-based materials. It is applied over the chewing surfaces of the adult back teeth, the 6-year and 12-year molars, and it acts as a barrier from food particles and harmful bacteria. As a result, your child greatly decreases their risk of developing cavities in these hard-to-reach areas.
Sports Mouthguards
If you’ve got passionate athletes in the family, we strongly recommend investing in a custom-made sportsguard from Brooks Dental. Unlike “one-size-fits-all” appliances from the local sports store, these high-quality devices are designed with your child’s comfort in mind, providing a secure, flexible fit that keeps teeth safe from harm while still allowing for easy breathing and speaking throughout the big game.
Silver Diamine Fluoride
Should your child develop a cavity, our dentists can stop the spread of decay in its tracks by applying a liquid called silver diamine fluoride (SDF). This powerful material targets cavity-stricken teeth by eliminating existing bacteria and remineralizing your child’s tooth enamel – strengthening it against future attacks. It’s a beneficial solution that can be used when traditional restorative treatment is not yet an option. SDF treatment has its indications as well as limitations, so feel free to ask our dental providers about SDF at your next visit!
Pulp Therapy
If your child complains of tooth pain that is not attributed to sinus congestion or trauma, it may be that a more serious infection exists within the pulp – the area of a tooth that contains various nerves and blood vessels. Our team of experts can remove all or a portion of the pulp to ensure proper healing and avoid potential extraction, allowing your little one to keep their natural tooth longer.
TMJ Evaluation
Do you regularly find it difficult to chew food without pain or fully open and close your mouth? Has severe, lingering jaw pain become a normal part of your daily routine? These symptoms are typically the result of a TMJ disorder, which negatively affects the joints that control everyday jaw movement. Thankfully, our dental professionals are familiar with the tell-tale signs of this common condition, and they can provide dedicated therapy and homecare instructions to eliminate chronic jaw pain. This may involve adjusting the surfaces of certain teeth to correct the dysfunction or providing a custom-made occlusal splint that helps reposition your jaw’s resting position during sleep.