Preventive Dentistry Eugene
Helping You Maintain a Healthy Smile for a Lifetime
Good at-home and professional dental hygiene can help your smile stay intact and healthy for a lifetime! Dr. Sutter and our Smile Institute team take preventive dentistry very seriously, as our goal is to help you diagnose common concerns, like cavities and gum disease, as early as possible or prevent them from ever developing altogether. This proactive approach to caring for your smile also allows us to address functional problems like TMJ disorder before they have a chance to deeply impact your daily life.
If it has been six months or longer since you last visited a dentist, give our Eugene dental office a call today to schedule a preventive dentistry checkup and cleaning.
Why Choose Smile Institute for Preventive Dentistry?
- Full Service & Functional Dental Treatments
- Personalized, One-on-One Dental Care
- Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Technology
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
The American Dental Association, along with Dr. Sutter and our team at Smile Institute, recommend visiting the dentist once every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning. During these appointments, you’ll get to spend one-on-one time with Dr. Sutter, who will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums for any signs of dental problems. You’ll also receive a professional teeth cleaning and polishing from one of our experienced dental hygienists, clearing away plaque and tartar that you can’t get to at home.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is a naturally derived mineral that’s produced by rocks and found throughout nature, like in the air and soil. However, most people are familiar with it because it’s also added to local water sources and oral hygiene products, like toothpaste and mouthwash. This is because of its enamel strengthening properties, helping protect the teeth from decay. If you’re at a higher risk of developing cavities, we may recommend supplementing your fluoride intake by placing a fluoridated gel onto your teeth at the end of your cleaning.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are another excellent way to prevent cavities from developing. They’re ideal for both children and adults, offering an added layer of protection over the molars to keep food debris and bacteria from accumulating in their pits and grooves. The process is fast and simple. Dr. Sutter will brush a clear liquid atop the molars and harden it, offering an umbrella-like coating that will enhance your at-home brushing as well as minimize your risk of decay.
Oral Cancer Screenings
During each of your bi-annual checkups, Dr. Sutter will also conduct an oral cancer screening. The signs of oral cancer can be easily missed early on, which is why a trained eye is helpful for early detection. Our goal is to discover any abnormalities as soon as possible, allowing for fast diagnoses and treatment without any delay.
Mouthguards
There are countless hobbies and sports out there that can put you at a high risk of dental injury, whether they involve contact or not. Our practice offers custom-crafted mouthguards made from cushioning, comfortable material that allows you to play with greater confidence and ease. That way, whenever you’re out on the field or court, you can participate to your fullest without the lingering fear of knocking out, chipping, or cracking a tooth.
Nightguards for Bruxism
Teeth grinding, clinically referred to as bruxism, is a common dental health condition that involves the nightly grinding and clenching of the teeth. Over time, the constant strain, pressure, and friction between your teeth can lead to a variety of secondary issues, including dental damage, ground-down molars (enamel erosion), and TMJ disorder. We offer custom-crafted nightguards to help cushion and protect not just your teeth, but also your jaw joints and muscles from harmful grinding.