At Forestream Dental, we teach "preventative dentistry" to our Buffalo area patients. This means reducing your risk for dental problems and diagnosing and treating minor problems before they become costly and painful. Our staff has many years of experience with up-to-date and advanced general dentistry techniques.
What is the secret to preventative dentistry? Getting regular check-ups and dental cleanings, and following a good oral hygiene program.
At Forestream Dental, here are a few of the general dentistry services we provide to you and your family:
- Exams
- X-rays
- Cleanings
- Treatment Recommendations
- Head and Neck Exam
- Oral Cancer Screening
- Oral Hygiene Education
To maintain good oral health, we recommend that you visit us a minimum of every six months for regular check-ups.
Pain-Free Injections and Anesthesia
Our team knows that fear of pain is the number one reason that many people avoid taking care of their teeth and gums.
Dental industry experts believe that as many as 1 in 5 Americans experience this type of dental anxiety.
Forestream Dental Group offers the Anutra Local Anesthetic Delivery System to general and cosmetic dentistry patients. This state-of-the-art technology delivers a buffering, neutral pharmaceutical agent before the traditional local anesthetic that dentists use when working on a patient's teeth and gums. With "less stinging (and) more numbing," Anutra is a minimally-invasive dentistry product that makes anesthesia painless and more effective for our general and family dentistry patients throughout the Greater Buffalo Area.
Beyond the standard offerings
In addition to the expected general dentistry services, we also provide more in-depth and comprehensive solutions to other oral health issues.
- We have a diagnostic laser that detects cavities before they become a problem
- For minor cavities, we have an air abrasion system for removing the decay
- For all our patients we use an intraoral camera connected to a computer. This lets you see close-up inside your mouth, if you would like to, and it gives us photographic records of your dental work.
There's no pain and no need for anesthesia. Both of these are especially great for children.
The following is a list of the more comprehensive and specialized general dentistry services that our Buffalo dentist offers for the entire family:
- Periodontal Treatment
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Dentures/Partials
- Snoring
- Sleep Apnea
- Oral Surgery
- Fresh Breath Treatment
- Sealants
- Oral Hygiene Maintenance
Prevent Problems Before They Start
The absolute best way to prevent dental problems is with good oral hygiene on a daily basis. You should brush your teeth with a soft brush and a fluoride-based toothpaste with tartar control at least twice a day, floss at least once a day and schedule check-ups with Forestream Dental Group every six months. Those are the very minimum requirements for good oral hygiene.
Good preventive care starts with good oral hygiene practices at home.
You should practice the following steps every day and you should start teaching your children from a very young age to follow the same steps:
- Brush at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush and a fluoride-based toothpaste. Children under two should use toothpaste designed for their age, which contains no fluoride. Always supervise children when brushing to make sure they don't swallow too much of the paste.
- Floss at least once a day. The best time is before bed. If you feel like you're not flossing the right way, ask your hygienist to show you the proper way at your next visit.
- Schedule regular checks-ups with Forestream Dental Group at least every six months.
Preventive care in the office
When you come for your regular check-ups, we take steps in your preventive dentistry too. During your check-up we will perform:
- Periodic x-rays
- Checks for plaque or tartar build-up
- An exam with DIAGNOdent early cavity detector to see if you have areas on your teeth that will become future cavities
- A thorough cleaning and flossing of your teeth
- An oral cancer screening
And if we feel that you or your children need sealants or fluoride treatments, we will do them as well.
To go the extra mile, you should avoid lots of sugary, sticky foods and candies and avoid or stop smoking as soon as possible. (See your medical professional if you need help with smoking cessation.) You can also make sure to brush or scrape your tongue and use an antimicrobial mouthwash. The good news for you and your family is that most insurance companies pay for preventive care. They understand, as we do, that preventing damage costs you less in the long run.
Most Common Dental Problems
As mentioned above, the most common dental problems come from bacteria and bacterial by-products being left in your mouth and on your teeth for too long. Bacteria can cause problems like:
- Cavities - left untreated, the decay from cavities can give off an odor. It's really important for your overall dental health to have regular check-ups to detect cavities before they cause real problems.
- Gingivitis & Periodontitis - gingivitis and periodontitis. There are treatments, like laser gum treatment, to help get rid gum disease. However, if left untreated for too long, gum disease can cause tooth loss, bone deterioration, and a great deal of pain.
Some of the other more common dental problems that are not caused by bacteria are grinding or clenching of teeth, an impacted tooth (which can harbor bacteria) and broken or chipped teeth. All of these can be quickly addressed if you call your dentist as soon as you notice that something is wrong. The sooner you receive treatment the better.
we know that no one likes to have bad breathor be around others with offensive breath. But sometimes it seems you just can't figure out why you have it or how get rid of it. There can be many causes for bad breath, from benign to serious .
Listed below are some additional causes and solutions for bad breath:
Bacteria - the most common cause of bad breath, especially on the gums and tongue. It's important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. Brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper can help get rid of the bacteria that live in the grooves of your tongue.
Dry mouth - for those with dry mouth, it's especially important to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated. Chewing sugarless gum or mints can help produce more saliva too. If those things don't help, talk to your dentist about special mouth rinses for dry mouth.
Certain foods - like cabbage, garlic and onions, for example, can cause really offensive breath. Some foods affect some people worse than others. Take notice of the foods that really affect your breath and then avoid them when possible. If you can't avoid them, brush your teeth right after the meal. Chewing parsley or mint can help if your toothbrush isn't handy.
Smoking - While it's easier said than done, the best solution for smoker's breath is to stop smoking. It's better for your overall health as well. In the meantime, brush often, chew sugarless gum and try a mouthwash specifically designed for smokers.
Certain medical conditions - like diabetes, kidney failure, and bowel obstructions can cause offensive mouth odors. If you have bad breath that you can't seem to control, talk to your doctor or dentist right away. The type of odor, from sweet to sour smelling, can give your doctor or dentist clues about a serious medical condition you may have.
Forestream Dental is dedicated to treating all members of your family, from the very young to the very young at heart and everyone in between! We hope that you find us the perfect solution for your family's dental needs. Contact our Buffalo aera dentist today to schedule your first appointment or to schedule a complimentary dentistry consultation to learn more about us in Buffalo, Amherst, Lancaster, Orchard Park, and Williamsville, New York.
