At Nawrocki Dental, we believe your oral healthcare starts with prevention, which is why we provide numerous services to keep you and your family healthy. While we do have all of the necessary solutions for dental problems, Dr. Gary C. Nawrocki would rather prevent them from happening in the first place. Dr. Nawrocki is experienced at preventing and detecting oral health issues before they become more extensive and expensive. Keep reading to learn how this is possible and how he can protect your smile with preventive dentistry in Cocoa Beach, FL.
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
It’s imperative that patients of all ages attend a routine examination and hygiene appointment at Nawrocki Dental at least every six months, or twice per year. These visits allow Dr. Gary Nawrocki and the rest of our staff to fully understand your oral health and diagnose any signs of decay or damage as early as possible in their development. Please contact our Cocoa Beach location today if you’re ready to schedule a visit! We enjoy seeing patients from Cape Canaveral, FL and other surrounding areas.
Learn More About Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
Dental Checkups
During your routine checkup, our team will include the following steps:
-
Digital X-rays are captured in order to locate any decay, tumors, or signs of bone loss.
-
Your mouth, throat, lips, tongue, and gums will be checked for signs of oral cancer.
-
The gums and bone around the teeth will be checked for signs of periodontal disease.
-
Every tooth surface will be reviewed carefully in order to find damage and/or decay.
-
Any existing restorative work (fillings, crowns, etc.) are reviewed to determine their effectiveness.
Dental Cleanings
Your routine cleaning will be performed by one of our talented hygienists, and it will include the following steps:
-
Tartar (hardened plaque) is removed from above and below the gum line with special dental instruments.
-
Plaque (a sticky, bacteria-filled film) is thoroughly removed from the teeth in order to prevent cavities and the development of periodontal disease.
-
Your teeth are polished in order to remove minor stains.
Dental Sealants
Brushing and flossing your teeth daily is important to prevent cavities and decay, but dental sealants provide our patients, especially children, the protection that they need. Dental sealants are a tooth-colored resin that Dr. Nawrocki applies to your kid’s permanent molars when they grow in. These back teeth are the ones used most for chewing, which is why he recommends that children get them once their permanent smile is in place.
Children simply don’t take care of their teeth like adults, plus, they enjoy a sugary diet. Dental sealants protect their smile by sealing the hard-to-reach areas of their most used teeth, preventing cavities before they even occur.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Did you know that over 30,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed every single year? This disease is a serious concern, and one that causes the deaths of thousands of patients on a yearly basis. The good news is that the earlier oral cancer is detected, the more successful treatment will be. That’s why Dr. Nawrocki has chosen to make oral cancer screenings a vital part of every checkup here in Cocoa Beach.
Do I Have Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer can manifest in several areas, including the face, the throat, the lips, the gums, and the tongue. Our team will look out for the following tell-tale indications of cancerous or pre-cancerous cells:
-
Red patches that form on the floor of the mouth or the front of the tongue
-
White/pink patches of oral skin
-
Sores within the mouth that are slow to heal properly and bleed easily
-
Hardened white/gray lesions that appear anywhere within the mouth
-
Thickened tissue, lumps, and soreness within the mouth
What Happens During an Oral Cancer Screening?
Oral cancer screenings are quick and painless. Dr. Nawrocki will carefully feel your face, glands, and neck for any unusual bumps and review the inside of your mouth for the above symptoms as well. If anything concerning is found, we can arrange for a biopsy of the area to be performed.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is a natural mineral that is found in water and various foods like fish. Dr. Nawrocki offers fluoride treatment to prevent cavities from forming and to strengthen your smile. By directly applying fluoride to your teeth, he can strengthen your tooth enamel, decreasing your chances of tooth decay. This mineral can be found in most tap water and you can also purchase fluoridated toothpaste for extra protection. However, none of these alternatives provide the strength and consistency of in-office fluoride treatment.
Not only does fluoride help prevent decay, but it also:
-
Decreases tooth sensitivity
-
Reduces plaque
-
Kills bacteria in plaque
Fluoride treatment is a popular service that Dr. Nawrocki provides for his child patients because it can be used even when their permanent smile is still growing. This helps to protect their new smile from cavities and decay as well as other dental issues that can develop.
