Preventive Dentistry - Forest, VA

Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings

Ah yes, the standard checkup and cleaning, two of the best ways to keep a person’s pearly whites nice and…pearly as the years go by! These appointments give our team the chance to learn all we can about a patient’s dental health and catch problems in their earliest stages. They also include a dental cleaning, which is essential for removing harmful plaque and bacteria deposits from those areas in the mouth your brush and floss can’t reach! We recommend that everyone over the age of four have at least two checkups and cleanings each year. Why? Click on the link below to learn more.

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Children’s Dentistry

As a parent, you already have plenty of things to worry about, and taking care of your child’s teeth is just another spinning plate in the air that can come crashing down if you’re not careful. Fortunately, the team at Crossroads Family Dentistry is ready to provide all of your child’s dental care in one convenient location. We have years of experience meeting the unique dental needs of children, plus as parents ourselves, we’ll know just how to keep your little one calm and relaxed during their appointments.

Dental Sealants

Sometimes, it would be nice if you could just saran wrap your child to keep them safe, but while this practice is somewhat questionable (and likely illegal), we’re basically able to do it to protect your little one’s teeth. For a dental sealant, we’ll apply a clear, thin layer of a plastic-based substance to your child’s most vulnerable teeth (usually the back ones), and this will harden into an invisible barrier that will keep out cavity-causing food particles, bacteria, and acids for years to come.

Nightguards for Bruxism

Bruxism isn’t a term many people know, but research actually suggests that 1 in 3 people suffer from it. What is it, you ask? It’s actually a condition where a person unconsciously clenches their jaw and grinds their teeth while they sleep, and this can lead to worn down and even broken teeth over time. Bruxism can also lead to TMJ problems, facial muscle pain, headaches or exacerbate each of these conditions. We can help patients overcome this sneaky problem with the help of a nightguard. This small, custom-made mouthpiece fits comfortably over the teeth and provides a protective barrier to prevent them from grinding at night.

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Oral Cancer Screenings

Going to the dentist can do much more than keep you safe from cavities! Oral cancer rates are currently on the rise here in the U.S., especially among young, healthy individuals who don’t smoke or drink excessively. To make sure this disease never catches you off guard, the Crossroad’s team recommends that all adults should have at least one oral cancer screening per year. They can perform one as part of your regular checkups, and should they find anything, they can help you quickly get the follow-up treatment you need.

Fluoride Treatments

You’ll find fluoride in most toothpastes and some public water sources because this mineral has long been shown to help keep the teeth protected from decay and cavities, so it would be kind of weird if we didn’t have it in our office, right? As part of your family’s regular appointments, we’ll include a topical fluoride treatment to give everyone just a little bit of extra cavity protection. It only takes a few minutes, is completely painless, and it’ll help preserve more of your teeth over time.

Gum Disease Therapy

When it comes to your oral health, the condition of your gums is actually just as important as your teeth! If ignored, they can develop an infection known as periodontal disease, better known as gum disease, which can eventually lead to tooth loss. This is why we’ll screen your gums whenever you come to see us, and should we spot even the slightest hint of a problem, we’ll use a variety of gum-centric treatments to help keep your smile happy and whole.

TMJ/TMD Therapy

If you place your fingers right in front of your earlobes and move your mouth, those little joints you feel are actually called your TMJ, or temporomandibular joint. They are what allow your jaw to move fluidly, but like other joints in the body, they can often develop issues due to strain, injury, or arthritis. This can lead to what is called a TMJ disorder, or TMD for short. Symptoms of this issue include a stiff/painful jaw, chronic headaches, and even teeth grinding. Fortunately, we can take care of this problem right here in our office so you won’t have to visit a specialist.

All-Digital Dental X-Rays

We use X-rays every day to catch problems hidden beneath the surface of the teeth and gums, and thanks to the digitization of dentistry, this tool is now better than ever. Digital X-rays only take seconds to develop, and compared to traditional, film-based X-rays, they emit up to 80% LESS radiation! This is great for our patients’ peace of mind, especially those who have small children. We can even display these images on a nearby monitor for you to go over and better understand with your dentist.

Emergency Dentistry

Accidents happen, and sometimes, it’s the teeth that pay the price. Should you or your child experience a knocked out tooth, severe toothache, or damaged dental work, don’t panic—just call Crossroads Family Dentistry. Our team will give you first-aid tips over the phone to help you get the situation under control and schedule an emergency appointment so we can relieve your pain as quickly as possible. What qualifies as a dental emergency? Click on the link below to find out!

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