MAINTAIN LIFELONG ORAL HEALTH WITH PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY IN VERO BEACH, FLORIDA

Why wait for oral health problems to happen when instead, you can be proactive and take steps to avoid diseases and decay with preventative dentistry. Dr. Collins and his team provide you with a warm welcoming office space where you can feel comfortable and well taken care of. We look forward to your visit! Contact our Vero Beach office today to schedule an appointment.

HOW TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY SMILE FOR LIFE?

Brushing and flossing are a vital part of maintaining oral health, but it is important to have a professional examine your smile on an annual basis. Dr. Collins is able to check for potential issues which you may not be aware of because they are in the early stages or not causing discomfort to you.

A thorough examination will include the following:

1. An evaluation of your current oral care habits
2. Assess the health of your gums and teeth, and determine if you are in need of any restorative work
3. Inspect your bite to determine if there are any signs of bruxism/TMJ
4. If necessary, take digital x-rays to get a comprehensive look at your overall oral health  

We will want to hear if you have any concerns about your oral health and smile so we can address them and formulate an ideal treatment plan. In addition, one of our hygienists will provide you with a thorough cleaning to remove decay causing plaque and tartar leaving your smile polished and clean. We want you to leave here feeling confident about your oral health. We will also give you sample products for any tooth sensitivities, and continued maintenance until the next time we see you.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MY CHILD’S TEETH FROM CAVITIES?

We enjoy seeing every member of your family. Our welcoming staff strives to help children feel comfortable and have an encouraging experience with assurances of future satisfaction. We provide gentle checkups to protect their little smiles.

Sealants are used to fill in narrow grooves in a tooth that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing. In some cases, the tooth structure has fine grooves or pits which accumulate plaque, not because the person doesn’t brush, but because they’re too narrow to allow even one bristle into them. These will develop cavities over time, and you don’t want that. Dr. Collins will brush on a coating that seals the grooves and pits, making it possible to brush off all the plaque and keep your teeth healthy.

WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTIONS

Wisdom teeth are the last molars, or “third molars” that develop on each side of the jaws. Wisdom teeth usually emerge in the back of the mouth between the ages of 16-20.

Wisdom teeth are a valuable asset to the mouth when they are healthy and properly positioned. Often, however, problems develop that require their removal. When the jaw isn’t large enough to accommodate wisdom teeth, they can become impacted (unable to come in or misaligned). Wisdom teeth may grow sideways, emerge only part way through the gum or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone.

 A wisdom tooth extraction is a relatively routine procedure. Dr. Collins will numb the area in your mouth with a local anesthesia and extract your tooth painlessly.

After the tooth is removed, you may be asked to bite down softly on a piece of gauze for 30 to 45 minutes after you leave the office, to limit any bleeding that may occur. Some pain and swelling may occur but it will normally go away after a few days; however, you should call Dr. Collins if you have prolonged or severe pain, swelling, bleeding or fever.

DO I NEED A NIGHT GUARD OR CAN YOU MAKE A CUSTOMIZED MOUTHGUARD TO PROTECT MY TEETH WHEN I PLAY SPORTS?

Some smiles need added protection whether from grinding your teeth or playing sports.  A night guard can minimize damage to the teeth caused by teeth grinding, TMJ disorders, or other dental problems associated with muscles or teeth alignment.  This results in teeth being worn down and damaged, which requires restoration.

A custom mouth guard can be molded that reduces the risk of injury from sports related contact with players or hard objects. A custom mouth guard is much more comfortable and durable than a store bought device.

DENTAL CARE MAKES ME NERVOUS. CAN YOUR TEAM HELP ME RELAX?

Of course, your comfort is our primary concern!  We cater to your comfort with new, plush chairs, memory foam pillows, and relaxing music.  Earbuds are available if you want to bring your own music to listen to during your treatment. 

If you feel that it is necessary, Dr. Collins will prescribe a medication to be taken prior to the procedure to “take the edge off” as long as you have a companion to drive you home after the treatment.