Whether you are new to the area or you are a long-time resident, if you have spent hours looking for a “Marlow dentist near me,” your search is over! At Chisholm Trail Smile Center, Dr. Matthew L. Bridges and his team provide a full spectrum  of dental services, ranging from cosmetic procedures to advanced care for sleep apnea. However, one of the most important things he offers is his wide range of preventative treatments. With the five services listed below, Dr. Bridges can help keep your smile healthy, warding off decay and long-term dental damage. 

Stop looking for a good dentist and come visit a great one! To learn more about our services or to schedule your preventative visit, contact Chisholm Trail Smile Center today.

1. Dental Exams

Regular dental exams are one of the most important ways to protect your smile. For optimal oral health, you should schedule an appointment every six months. (Some patients may require more frequent visits, depending on their particular health needs.) At each exam, Dr. Bridges can assess your overall dental wellness, looking for signs of cavities and gum disease. Our state-of-the-art digital x-rays provide ultrasharp images with 90% less radiation exposure. 

Another important reason to schedule regular exams is because at each visit, Dr. Bridges will conduct an oral cancer screening. Unfortunately, oral  cancer often goes undiagnosed until it has already spread elsewhere, but with early detection, patients have much higher success rates in beating the disease.  

2. Dental Cleanings

Along with daily brushing and flossing, dental cleanings are one of the most important things you can do to eliminate the threat of cavities. At your biannual appointment, your hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth, ridding your mouth of harmful plaque and tartar. These substances accumulate over time, eventually eroding the dental enamel and making way for harmful bacteria to invade the softer tissue below. 

Our team is committed both to thorough care and to patient comfort. That is why we are proud to use up-to-the-minute dental tools like ultrasonic scalers and specially designed manual instruments. 

3. Sealants

Although your teeth already have a protective coating of enamel, this thin layer can often start to wear away and is not enough to prevent cavities. That is why we highly recommend dental sealants for your back teeth. In fact, sealants can prevent 80% of cavities two years after placement and 50% of cavities for four years. We typically suggest that children receive sealants twice – when their first molars come in around age six and when their second molars erupt around age 12. Adults and older teens can also receive this preventative treatment as needed. 

4. Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride is a vital mineral that helps to strengthen tooth enamel and further combat decay.  While we get fluoride in most tap water sources and some foods, it is often not enough to give the full protection that we need. Topical fluoride treatments can make up for this deficiency. Although fluoride treatments are very common for children, they can also benefit adults who have a higher risk for dental decay. For instance, if you suffer from dry mouth, tooth erosion, or a history of recurrent cavities, Dr. Bridges may recommend fluoride supplements. 

Mouth Guards

Grinding your teeth can give you a chronic sore jaw and tongue. Even more alarmingly, it can also wear down your enamel, weaken your teeth, and cause small cracks and chips. A custom mouth guard is an easy and effective way to prevent these concerns. Made from impressions of your teeth, mouth guards are meant to be worn at night. Thanks to our careful measurements, patients find them very comfortable. 

How Can I Schedule an Appointment with a Great Marlow Dentist Near Me?

Don’t wait to protect your dental health and beautiful smile. Dr. Bridges and his team provide top-quality preventative care to patients in Marlow, Duncan, Velma, Rush Springs, Comanche, Bray, and the surrounding areas. Call us today at 580-255-4880 or contact us online to schedule your appointment.