Family Dentistry in West Columbia, SC

Coming to see us should not be an event reserved exclusively for dental emergencies. While many people mistakenly believe that we work exclusively on dental concerns such as dental extractions, fillings, and other types of dental emergencies, we are so much more than that. Our Family Dentistry in West Columbia, SC will help maintain your smile and prevent long-lasting damage from occurring by addressing these issues before they become a problem.

An appointment with us not only includes a routine checkup with a dental cleaning, but it can also help identify oral cancer, gum disease, and problems with your jaw and dental alignment. We here at Carolina Smiles Family Dentistry can help you with a wide assortment of dental concerns, giving you a healthy and beautiful smile that can last you a lifetime.

All patients need to see us at least every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning. However, some patients may benefit from more frequent appointments, especially if they have oral health concerns that need to be addressed more often. During your exam, we will not only check your teeth for decay, but we will also check for other oral health issues and look at the health of your gums.

We will also clean your teeth during your appointment with us. Regular cleanings can help prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease. We start cleaning with a scaling, which thoroughly removes any hardened buildup (calculus) from your teeth. We will also brush your teeth with a gritty toothpaste to polish them, and we will also floss your teeth for you. If you need any education about how to brush or floss, we are happy to share that knowledge with you!

Every single hour of every single day, another person will succumb to oral cancer. This cancer is particularly dangerous because it is hard to detect on your own at home, and many people who are diagnosed with it do not realize it until the cancer has advanced. We will perform an oral cancer screening during your appointment, checking your entire mouth (including your soft palate, your gums, your tonsils, and in your throat) carefully. Signs of oral cancer can include ulcers that do not want to heal, a sore throat, and swellings or masses in your mouth.

Gum disease is quite common, affecting over half of the adult population. If we find that you have gum disease, we can start a periodontal care regimen for you to help manage and control this chronic illness. Some of the periodontal care treatments we offer include scaling and root planing, which removes all buildup from your teeth and underneath your gumline. It also includes smoothing down your tooth roots to help your gums reattach to your teeth and make it harder for buildup to return. We may also advise antibiotic treatment and more frequent cleanings to help manage it.

Chip a tooth? Knocked one out entirely? A dental emergency can be distressing, but we can help. We have options to repair teeth or replace them entirely. In some cases, the sooner you come in, the more we can do for you.

Night guards can help manage the symptoms of sleep apnea, including snoring. Many patients are surprised to discover that snoring is a sign of a bigger problem and often dismiss it. However, sleep apnea can be dangerous and even lethal. If you snore, then you need to be fitted with a custom nightguard. A nightguard can also help patients who grind or clench their teeth at night (bruxism), and it may prevent lasting damage to their teeth and dental enamel.

You may benefit from a custom-fitted mouth guard if you play sports. This is good for most sports, even if they are not team sports. Any sport that may include contact with another person or sporting equipment can benefit from a mouthguard. This can prevent loss of your teeth, damage or injury to your teeth, and even concussions.

Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) attaches your jaw to the rest of your head. Problems with it can lead to pain and swelling in your jaw, popping and clicking when you open and close your mouth, and your jaw unexpectedly locking when you open your mouth. Pain when biting or chewing is also a common sign. We can help address and treat the many symptoms of TMJ disorder, helping you have a better quality of life when you suffer from this condition.

It is very important to schedule regular appointments with us here at Carolina Smiles Family Dentistry to help treat and manage many different types of dental concerns. To learn more about our family dentistry in West Columbia, SC or to set up an appointment with us, please give us a call today at (803) 794-2273!