Preventive Dentistry – West Hartford, CT, Avon, CT

Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings

Regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings are important if you want to maintain consistently good oral health. Designed to serve as the starting point for the early detection of cavities and other dental issues, our team uses advanced imaging and techniques to thoroughly examine your mouth as well as clean your teeth and gums to eliminate the possibility of gum disease and decay. We will also provide helpful tips to ensure that you keep your smile as healthy as possible in between appointments.

Children’s Dentistry

Young smiles deserve high-quality oral healthcare, which is why we are pleased to provide child-friendly dental services in-house. Whether it is preventive treatment to combat tooth decay and cavities or discussing the HealthyStart® program to address a sleep-breathing disorder, we have a team of dental experts who are trained to guide them toward a bright future.

Oral Cancer Screening

Although oral cancer may not be the first thing that comes to mind when visiting the dentist’s office, we understand the seriousness of this disease and why early detection is essential. This is why we offer screenings during regular dental exams, as they allow our team to check for growths, lesions, and abnormalities that are commonly linked to oral cancer. Even if you do not engage in any of the risky behaviors that can lead to this serious disease, it can still occur and have fatal consequences. If we discover any areas of concern, you can count on us to refer you to a physician for further testing.

Fluoride Treatment

As a natural mineral commonly found in certain foods, toothpaste brands, and tap water, many patients still do not receive enough fluoride. As a result, they become prone to cavities and tooth decay. If this is you or a loved one, we can apply this beneficial solution during a regular dental exam and cleaning to strengthen tooth enamel. The process is quick and completely painless, allowing for more effective protection between visits.

Dental Sealants

Adults can often experience difficulty when cleaning teeth toward the back of the mouth, but it is often children who have the hardest time effectively reaching this area. Because molars and premolars have deep pits and grooves, they can easily trap bacteria and food debris, resulting in cavities over time. With dental sealants, we can apply a tooth-colored coating over the chewing surfaces, creating a barrier to prevent bacteria from penetrating the enamel. In no time at all, this process can be completed in-house and can last up to 10 years with proper care.

Athletic Mouthguards /Sports Guards

Sports-related injuries are common among children, teens, and adults. Knocked-out, broken, or chipped teeth as well as soft tissue lacerations are seen by emergency dentists time and time again. To lessen the chances of you or your child requiring immediate care for a busted lip or cracked tooth, we can provide a customized athletic mouthguard. Also referred to as a sportsguard, it is designed to fit snugly over the top row of teeth and absorb any impacts. Also, they are comfortable to wear so you or your child will have no trouble keeping one in throughout the game.

Night Guards for Bruxism

Teeth grinding (bruxism) can occur for many reasons, but the most common are stress, bite misalignment, and sleep apnea. To prevent a continued breakdown of tooth enamel or the development of chronic jaw pain, we can provide a customized night guard. By wearing this uniquely designed device, it keeps your upper and lower arches separated and jaw relaxed while you sleep so that you can achieve a better night’s rest and feel less pain day after day. Our dentists will also screen you for sleep apnea in case a sleep appliance would be better suited to treat your bruxism. 

HealthyStart

The HealthyStart® System is a revolutionary departure from traditional orthodontics that treats children early and is a non-invasive, natural way of straightening teeth. It works as well as or better than braces, plastic aligners, surgery, or any other options to achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. Blue Back Dental is one of only a few practices in the area able to offer this innovative system! When you choose the HealthyStart® System, your child can:

• Achieve a beautiful smile WITHOUT braces or surgery
• Avoid crooked teeth versus having to correct crooked teeth
• Achieve permanent results 
• Experience little to no discomfort

And beautiful smiles are just the beginning for The HealthyStart® System. 

Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) is an all-inclusive term for breathing difficulties, ranging from mild snoring all the way to severe airway obstruction during sleep. When your child’s breathing is disrupted, his or her body treats it just like choking, therefore, slows the heart rate, raises blood pressure, arouses the brain, and ultimately interrupts sleep. Traditionally, there have been very few answers to treating this issue, but Blue Back Dental is now using HealthyStart® to address them directly. Crooked teeth, crowded teeth, or mouth breathing can cause underdevelopment of the mouth and jaw when your child’s nasal and upper airways are constricted. The HealthyStart® System works to guide your child’s teeth into their proper position, expanding and fully developing his or her mouth and jaws.

The HealthyStart® System works with the natural forces of tooth eruption. The soft, comfortable, removable devices gently guide the erupting teeth into their perfect positions. In addition, HealthyStart® aids in the correct growth and alignment of the jaws, expanding the arches to ensure incoming permanent teeth have enough room to erupt straight. Call our office to learn more about how we can help your child!