Keeping Healthy Smiles for Life
Maintaining a strong, healthy smile over the years requires a combination of quality professional maintenance and diligent at-home care. At Torrance Dentistry, Dr. Steve Yabuno and the rest of his team are happy to help support you with preventive dentistry in Torrance, CA that make
a real difference.
DENTAL CLEANING AND CHECKUPS
Even patients who brush and floss often can fall victim to dental problems that go unnoticed by an untrained eye – that’s why it’s so important to attend routine check-ups and cleanings with a trusted dental team like ours here in Torrance. Dr. Yabuno or Dr. Wong will perform a comprehensive examination of your oral health with the helpful aid of digital X-rays, paying special attention to the tooth surfaces, gum tissue, bite, existing restorative work, and more. Once this process is complete and we’ve identified any sources of concern, our team can discuss potential treatment options that will meet your needs and restore health to your smile.
Cleanings are also necessary because they allow one of our excellent hygienists to remove decay-causing plaque and tartar from the mouth, as well as minor dental stains. By banishing dangerous bacteria as early on as possible, patients can enjoy stronger oral health and nicely polished teeth.
NIGHT GUARDS / BRUXISM / TMJ
Are any of the following symptoms familiar to you?
Pain/general discomfort located in the jaw and face
Constant headaches/earaches
Increased dental sensitivity
Facial muscles that feel unusually tight or strained
Worn-down/damaged teeth with no known cause
If the answer is “yes,” you may be experiencing bruxism (teeth grinding) or TMJ disorder, which causes severe pain in the temporomandibular joints and/or the muscles around them. Our team wants to help relieve this constant discomfort for patients that’s why we can create a customized oral appliance that minimizes contact between teeth and allows your bite to rest. This “nightguard” is typically worn during sleep, and its consistent use can be combined with massage, medication, changes in diet, and other helpful therapies to create promising results for your oral health and overall wellbeing.
DENTAL SEALANTS
Sealants are thin, plastic coatings that our team can apply to deep chewing surfaces of certain teeth to reduce their risk of decay. This valuable preventive service is simple, fast, and comfortable, only requiring a single appointment. Our dentists are likely to recommend it for children who are still learning how to properly keep teeth clean and adults who struggle with teeth that are highly cavity-prone. While sealants should stay in place for several years once placed, our team will check them for signs of wear-and-tear during regular dental visits.
ORAL CANCER SCREENINGS
Tens of thousands of new oral cancer cases are diagnosed every year, and many of them have already become so advanced that the chances of a successful recovery are slim. That’s why our highly experienced dental team will make every effort to diagnose oral cancer as early as possible with routine screenings. During your oral examination, we will carefully review your soft tissue and make note of any concerning symptoms, which may include:
Red or white patches of skin within the mouth
Sores that are healing slowly and bleeding with little prompting
Crusty/thickened oral areas
Lumps in the throat or mouth
If your condition suggests that there may be cancerous cells present, further steps can be taken to test the area and form a solid diagnosis for your safety.
DIGITAL X-RAYS & INTRAORAL CAMERAS
Digital X-rays have greatly improved on the traditional film method, allowing us to capture high-resolution images of your dental structures that are immediately visible on our computer system; radiation exposure is greatly reduced as well, making them safer for our patients. Intraoral cameras are also an excellent diagnostic and educational tool, broadcasting your smile on the big screen with the help of a camera-tipped wand inserted into the mouth.