Preventive Dentistry – Hanford, CA

Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings

The American Dental Association, along with our team of experts, recommends visiting the dentist every six months for routine dental checkups and cleanings. First, you’ll receive a thorough examination of your teeth and gums, including diagnostic imaging, like X-rays. If your dentist spots any signs of oral health problems, our team will provide you with a treatment plan to address them before they lead to a dental emergency. Before you leave, you’ll receive a thorough teeth cleaning from one of our skilled hygienists. This will involve removing all plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth and polishing them to remove any surface stains.

Oral Cancer Screening

At every routine checkup that we conduct, we’ll also conduct a quick and simple oral cancer screening. It only takes a moment, but for some patients, this can be a lifesaving step. We’ll complete a physical examination of your oral tissues, tongue, lips, and neck in search of any signs of this disease, like red or white rough patches within the mouth. If we spot anything we feel needs additional testing, we’ll refer you to an appropriate expert.

Dentistry for Kids

From great grandparents to children, our team at Hanford Family Dental Center can take care of all of your loved ones. Our team is excellent with children and understands the importance of leaving a great first impression of the dentist with our younger patients. We’re informative, patient, and friendly, and we offer a variety of kid-focused dental treatments to ward off cavities and other common children’s dental concerns, like fluoride treatments and dental sealants.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is a mineral that’s produced naturally and found in rocks, soil, fresh fruits, and vegetables, and more. Most patients know what it is because it’s added to local water sources across the country to strengthen enamel and reduce the risk of decay. If you’re not receiving enough fluoride in your diet, we can help supplement it by placing a fluoridated gel onto your teeth after your routine cleaning. While we typically recommend this for children because their smiles are still developing, it’s a great preventive measure for some adults, too!

Dental Sealants

If you or your child regularly get cavities, dental sealants are an excellent solution. These clear, umbrella-like coatings that we place on the biting surface of molars keep food debris and bacteria from accumulating in their pits and grooves. In doing so, sealants also make brushing away these harmful substances easier. With the proper care, they’ll continue to protect your teeth for years to come, making them an excellent long-term answer to cavity reduction.

Athletic Mouthguards/Sportsguards

Does your child participate in athletics at their school or on a local league? Protect their smile with a customized cushioning sportsguard. They’re crafted from a high-quality acrylic and designed to fit ideally within their mouth to protect their teeth and jaw and severely minimize the risk of accidentally knocking out or damaging their pearly whites. That way, you can watch them play without having to worry about an unexpected, stressful dental emergency occurring.

Nightguards for Bruxism

Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is an incredibly common dental condition that is often caused by underlying issues like stress and bite problems. Unfortunately, when left unaddressed, it can lead to even more concerns, like chipped, cracked, and worn-down teeth. We can create a customized nightguard for you to wear as you sleep, cushioning your jaw joints for the constant stress of grinding as well as protecting your smile.