Preventative Care

At Auslander Dental, we believe the best care starts early, so the proper care of baby teeth is important. Healthy teeth allow a child to eat, maintaining good nutrition. They also allow for clear pronunciation and speech habits. Primary teeth guide eruption of the permanent teeth, so x-rays and consistent exams are a must.

The teeth, bones and soft tissue of the mouth require a healthy, well-balanced diet. A variety of foods from the five food groups will help patients minimize, or even avoid, cavities and other dental problems. We will also focus on brushing and flossing habits, so our patients will feel comfortable following an example at home.

EXAMS

Dr. Auslander believes the best starting place for initiating a preventative program is with normalizing bi-annual exams. Regular exams help to maintain natural oral structure, while also discouraging the development, progress, and recurrence of a variety of dental issues. Throughout these exams, Dr. Auslander will incorporate a litany of preventative measures and comprehensive tests, with the goal of dodging unforeseen conditions down the road. These range from complete and partial x-rays to consistent oral cancer screenings.

Auslander Dental is confident in bringing a wide range of dental services to you. If your regular exam requires specialized care, we can typically provide every type of dental service without having to refer you to other specialists. This versatility saves you time and complications, while also allowing us to keep all your records in one location. Our emphasis is in total mouth care.

X-RAYS

Dr. Auslander relies partially on images of your teeth to evaluate and treat your oral health. Digital x-rays are the most advanced form of dental x-rays. Digital cameras use electronic sensors instead of film, meaning the photos do not need to be developed, but rather are instantly available. This means harmful chemicals and waste from the film are kept from the environment. The photographs can be viewed and enlarged for analysis of existing conditions and diagnosis of other concerns. In comparison with traditional x-ray methods, digital x-rays reduce radiation to the patient by 80-90%. Dr. Auslander provides apron shields for full and complete protection.

Digital x-rays have the ability to detect a variety of troubles, including abscesses, cysts, bone loss, tumors and decay between the teeth. They can also see beyond the naked eye, revealing developmental abnormalities and problems inside a tooth or below the gum line.

The frequency of digital x-rays is unique to the individual patient, though the patient’s age, current oral health, symptoms of oral disease and history of gum disease all play a role. At Auslander Dental, we typically perform a full series of digital x-rays for new patients and then repeat the process every 3 to 5 years. Digital x-rays save our patients money, time, pain, and even teeth.

Bite-wing x-rays (periphery views of the teeth meeting as the mouth closes) are conducted once or twice a year. Our office also has the capability for panoramic x-rays. These x-rays provide a wraparound image of a patient’s face and teeth. The x-ray machine rotates around the head, from ear to ear. This technology is specifically useful when looking for impacted wisdom teeth, fractures, gum disease, bone loss and discomfort caused by the sinus and nasal systems. Panoramic x-rays do not claim to provide a detailed view of each individual tooth, but rather an overall view of the patient’s oral health. Panoramic x-rays do not occur on a normalized schedule. They are completed on an as needed basis, especially when patients are in too much pain for a bitewing digital x-ray. The value of x-rays lie in the planning of future treatment, such as the feasibility of full or partial dentures, braces and implants.

ORAL CANCER SCREENINGS

Regular visits to your dentist can improve the chances that any suspicious changes in your oral health will be caught early. The most effective way to diagnose oral cancer in its earliest stages is for the dentist to perform a quick and efficient screening during a patient’s regular visit.

Cancerous regions can be found throughout the oral cavity. This includes your lips, cheek lining, gums, tongue, floor of the mouth connecting the tongue, and the hard palate at the roof of your mouth. The pharynx starts at the soft part of the roof of your mouth and continues back into your throat. During your dental visit, Dr. Auslander will talk to you about your health history and examine these areas for signs of mouth and/or throat cancer.

In addition, Dr. Auslander advises you to contact him if you see symptoms related to oral cancer. Patients should look for the following:

• Sore or irritation that doesn’t go away
• Red or white patches
• Painful lips
• Numbness in the mouth
• Change in the way your teeth fit together upon closing your mouth
• Lumps, crust, and small eroded areas
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving your tongue or jaw

According to the American Dental Association, almost 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral and throat cancers this year. Tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption and exposure to HPV are all factors increasing risk. In fact, the risk is 15 times greater for those who drink alcohol and smoke. Early diagnosis can double a patient’s chances of survival from 40% to 80-90%. Make sure to visit our office to partake in your regular oral cancer screenings.