Preventive Dentistry Baytown

Every patient, young and old, needs to attend a dental checkup and cleaning at least twice each calendar year. This routine is important because our team can not only get rid of harmful bacteria throughout the mouth but also diagnose and treat any potential problems at their earliest, most harmless stages. Many types of infection and damage will go unnoticed by the untrained eye, after all! Attending professional appointments can help you keep your oral health and happy smile on the right track well into the future.

Dental sealants are a simple and effective preventive service that can help protect teeth from surface-level decay for up to 10 years or even longer. This thin, plastic film is applied directly to the chewing surfaces of the premolars and molars (also known as the back teeth), which are notorious for attracting infectious bacteria and food particles over time. Its placement will create a tough barrier that prevents these substances from getting stuck in the grooves, resulting in a healthier, stronger smile that’s much more likely to remain cavity-free.

Bruxism (also known as “teeth grinding”) is a common and dangerous bad habit. Many patients don’t even realize they’re at risk because they only experience it while sleeping, leading to questions about chronic jaw discomfort and worn-down tooth surfaces. Thankfully, our team can identify the presence of bruxism during your next checkup. If needed, we will recommend the use of a custom-made nightguard to prevent dangerous dental contact and keep teeth safer. Not only can this type of oral appliance reduce the effects of bruxism, but it can even alleviate pain caused by TMJ disorder as well.

If you or a family member regularly participates in sporting events where physical contact is a possibility (whether with other players, objects like balls, or hard surfaces), wearing an oral mouthguard is an absolute must. Just like you’d buy a helmet to protect your head throughout the big game or kneepads to prevent nasty scrapes, this type of appliance (also known as a “sportsguard”) provides important protection from injuries that can badly damage vulnerable teeth.

Oral cancer can develop in subtle, scary ways that often aren’t even noticed until the disease reaches advanced stages. Thankfully, Dr. Hutto and the rest of our team can be your first line of defense against this threat! We use the state-of-the-art Velscope tool to take a much closer look at your oral tissue during regular exams. With the help of fluorescence technology, abnormal tissue and potentially cancerous cells will be clearly revealed right away, which means the patient’s chances of a safe, successful recovery are maximized.

Fluoride is a valuable mineral that can be found all around us, from the various oral hygiene products we use at home to the water that comes out of our kitchen tap. Countless studies have revealed a strong, positive link between safe exposure to fluoride and healthier, stronger teeth that are less prone to cavities – but unfortunately, not everyone gets enough of this exposure throughout everyday life. Aesthetic Family Dentistry offers professional fluoride applications as a part of regular checkups and cleanings for an added boost of health and protection.

While professional checkups and cleanings are a crucial part of lifelong oral health, it’s also important to have a dedicated oral hygiene routine at home as well. We can recommend high-quality products that will help you and your family maintain your best smiles, such as toothpaste, gum pastes, and oral rinses. For instance, Tooth And Gums Tonic® is an herbal antimicrobial product that keeps breath fresher and supports a healthy overall mouth.

It’s right there in our practice name – we love seeing the whole family! Dr. Hutto can accommodate even your youngest loved ones, helping them develop a strong foundation of good oral health through gentle, dedicated attention. Our care approach will grow and mature with kids over time, hopefully leading to not only a better, brighter smile that helps them thrive but also a lifelong positive attitude toward the dentist’s office.