Family Dentistry
Tigard, OR
At Lincoln Center Smiles, Dr. Brian Saklofsky and his staff specialize in family dentistry. We care about your oral health. Healthy teeth are important for the overall health of the body. Your health and your happiness are important to us. This includes dentistry for kids. It is important that your little ones start seeing us once their first tooth erupts, which is usually at about six months of age. At Lincoln Center Smiles, we offer the following services for you.
Dentistry for kids, also known as pediatric dentistry, is a specialized branch of dentistry focused on providing comprehensive oral health care to infants, children, adolescents, and individuals with special needs. Pediatric dentists undergo additional training beyond dental school to address the unique dental needs and concerns of young patients, including those with developmental, behavioral, or medical conditions.
Dental cleanings are recommended twice per year. At your dental cleaning and exam we will professionally clean and floss your teeth, as well as provide you with a fluoride treatment. It is important to have regular visits with the dentist so we can keep an eye on any changes in your mouth, teeth, or gums.
A dental exam, is a comprehensive assessment of a patient's oral health performed by a dentist or dental hygienist. Dental exams are typically recommended every six months as part of routine preventive care, although the frequency may vary based on individual oral health needs and risk factors.
During your routine cleaning and exam, we will also perform an oral cancer screening. Oral cancer screenings are easy to perform, and yet, are very important. During your appointment we will examine your mouth and look for any abnormalities such as bumps or discolorations. We will also examine and feel your head and neck for any changes. Oral cancer is very common and routine oral cancer screenings can help in prevention and early detection.
The best way to prevent periodontal problems and to fight gum disease is through regular brushing and flossing. If you do develop gum disease, however, you will require periodontal maintenance, which involves more frequent, and deeper dental cleanings. Scaling and root planing is a common treatment we perform in periodontal care.
The temporomandibular joints TMJ are a pair of hinge joints on the back of the jaw which allows us to move our jaw up and down, sideways, and forwards and backward. If this joint is injured or infected, it can create a number of painful conditions that result in limited mouth mobility. These issues are known as TMJ disorders.
At Lincoln Center Smiles, we can offer you a number of therapeutic services that can reduce the uncomfortable symptoms of TMJ disorders, including pain in the jaw, aching facial muscles, headaches and dizziness, problems in opening and closing your mouth, bite misalignment, and grating or clicking noises when moving your jaw.
Protecting your teeth is important. If you participate in sports, you need a sports guard. If you find yourself grinding or clenching your teeth at night, a night guard could protect your jaw and teeth from further damage and pain. At Lincoln Center Smiles, we can make custom fitted molds of your mouth to protect your teeth.
There are a few types of sleep apnea, with obstructive sleep apnea being the most common. Obstructive sleep apnea causes the muscles in the back of an individual's throat to relax while they are sleeping. This opens the narrow airway and makes it difficult for the individual to breathe. Every time your breathing stops, your brain partially wakes you up so that your breathing can be restarted. When you fall back asleep, your body has to restart the sleep cycles all over again. Depending upon the severity of your sleep apnea, you may wake up anywhere from five to more than 30 times per sleeping hour.
We provide oral appliance therapy for our patients with sleep apnea. Oral appliance therapy devices resemble retainers and help keep the tongue suppressed so you have adequate airflow throughout the night.
At Lincoln Center Smiles, we are here for you! Contact us today to schedule an appointment for all of your family dentistry needs! (503) 598-0898
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