At Dentistry in Redfern, we believe strongly in Preventive Care at every stage of life. At Dentistry in Redfern, we are committed to a lifelong partnership for your family’s dental health. We love seeing generations of families. We often see grandparents, parents, and children of entire families. Forging good habits, scheduling routine checkups, and educating our patients are key to helping you keep teeth for a lifetime.

If you visit your dentist only for toothaches or other problems, it may be too late to save a tooth or stop an infection from spreading. Most oral health problems are preventable and catching any issue at an early stage means it will be easier, with less discomfort at less of an expense. Preventative dentistry involves patient education, brushing twice a day and flossing daily, and visiting the dentist in routine 6-month, 4-month or 3-month intervals, depending on your personal needs.

Seniors
Unlike our parents and grandparents, seniors are now able to keep their natural teeth for the rest of their lives. However, as we age, we become more susceptible to several oral health problems such as darkening teeth, dry mouth, diminished sense of taste, root decay, gum disease, tooth loss and thrush. Let us customize a plan to address any concerns or problems and keep you on a schedule that helps you maintain a lifelong healthy smile.

Adults
Getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of every day life can lead to neglect in your oral hygiene. Contact us today to help you stay on a maintenance plan for a lifetime of good oral health.

Children & Teenagers
Dr. Powell has seen thousands of children over the course of his career. Introducing your child to the dentist in a safe and non-threatening environment is essential for a child to embrace healthy oral hygiene. We start seeing children around the age of 4. We simply count their teeth and help them get used to the basic protocol of a hygiene cleaning. We love kids and strive to make your visit as pleasant and easy as possible for the entire family.

Cleanings & Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene habits are critical to protecting teeth and gums from their biggest enemy, no matter your age – plaque. Plaque is a soft and colorless film that coats the teeth. The bacteria in plaque feeds on sugars and starches form the foods and beverages you consume and can produce acids that eat away at tooth enamel.

Plaque also irritates the gums, causing them to bleed and become inflamed and sensitive. Removing plaque quickly and thoroughly is important, as plaque hardens into tarter when it is left on the teeth. Plaque and tarter both lead to gum disease, which eventually destroys the bone around the teeth and causes tooth loss.

The three ways to combat plaque and tarter are

• Brushing and flossing
• Reducing sugar consumption in both foods and drinks
• Scheduling regular dental cleanings

During a professional dental cleaning, our hygienists use special instruments and techniques to clean the tiny nooks and crannies between the teeth and along the gum line that harbor bacteria and plaque. We recommend dental cleanings, every six months – possibly more frequently depending on your circumstances. Cleanings freshen your breath, remove deep-set tooth stains and discoloration from coffee, tea, wine, or tobacco, and allow our team the opportunity to intercede with any dental problems at the earliest stages before pain or discomfort sets in. Cleanings are preventative and are the best way to avoid expensive, time-consuming treatment in the future.

A routine checkup includes many preventive measures

• Examining the mouth in detail
• Screening for oral cancer
• Assessing periodontal (gum) health
• Checking for issues with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
• Looking for signs of grinding, clenching, or gritting
• Taking annual x-rays to look for decay, cracks, or cavities
• Professional cleaning by a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)

Digital X-Rays
X-Rays give us an excellent picture of what is going on within a tooth. Our office offers state-of-the-art digital x-rays that deliver miniscule amounts of radiation while giving us a better overall understanding of your oral health. We are exposed to radiation every day – it comes form the sun, our cell phones, and even riding on an airplane. A set of dental x-rays delivers less radiation than an average daily dose of radiation in everyday life. Digital x-rays help us take the guesswork out of concerns and give us the right tools to detect cavities early.

Fluoride Treatments
We believe in fluoride for all ages. A fluoride treatment is usually a rinse, foam, gel or varnish that is a highly concentrated form of fluoride which is applied to the tooth’s surface. The application is fast and painless, and we usually ask that patients avoid eating or drinking for an hour after a fluoride treatment. Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that has been proven effective in reducing cavities. The mineral helps make the outside of your teeth resistant to the acid in foods and beverages that cause tooth decay. While 75% of our nation’s water supply is fluoridated, Glynn County’s water supply is not, making fluoride treatments an important part of your preventative dental care. Ask us more about fluoride at your next visit.

Sealants
Sealants are an excellent tool to hep fight tooth decay. A sealant is a thin, protective coating applied to one or more teeth to prevent cavities from forming in the deep grooves on the tops of back teeth. Sealant material is painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. Sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars.

Children and adults can benefit from sealants, but the earlier you get them, the better, saving time and money in the long run. The sealant process is quick and painless. Sealant material is painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens with the use of a blue light