General & Family Dentistry – Waterbury
Supporting Healthy Smiles for Your Whole Family!
At Waterbury Smiles, we offer a wide array of general dentistry options for all Connecticut families. You can count on our compassionate professionals to create a positive, comfortable and professional experience. We take care of all your family’s dental health needs, including issues with temporomandibular joints (TMJ disorders), bruxism (teeth grinding), and snoring (sleep apnea). At Waterbury Smiles, we can restore your oral health with professional cleanings, non-surgical periodontal therapy, and root canal therapy. Continue reading to learn more about the services that we offer. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment, give us a call!
Why Choose Waterbury Smiles for General & Family Dentistry?
- State-of-the-Art Dental Technology
- We Welcome Patients of All Ages
- Flexible Financing Options Available
Dental Cleanings & Checkups
It is recommended that most children and adults see their dentist twice a year for routine cleanings and checkups. Dental concerns can sometimes be subtle at first, so it’s important that these are caught early on during routine checkups so that they don’t progress and become serious. This visit involves an in-depth examination of your teeth, gums, and other oral structures. They also include a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, keeping your smile strong and healthy!
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are tough, plastic coatings that can be applied directly to the chewing surfaces of certain teeth. They work as barriers, preventing food particles from gathering in deep pits and grooves causing cavities. This is especially useful for kids, who might struggle to brush and floss hard-to-reach areas of their mouth thoroughly. The entire sealants have a painless and quick!
TMJ Treatment
Have you noticed that your jaw pops, clicks, or hurts when you chew your food? Do you experience frequent headaches or earaches? This could be due to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). This is when the jaw joints aren’t functioning properly, leaving you with numerous uncomfortable symptoms. If you think you may be having issues with your TMJs or are feeling discomfort, let us know so we can help you get some relief.
Nightguards for Bruxism
Bruxism is a condition in which a person clenches their jaw and grinds their teeth, usually during sleep. It is estimated that as many as 1 in 30 people experience at least a mild form of it. If you are constantly waking up with a sore jaw or your teeth are starting to appear worn, you might benefit from a custom nightguard in Waterbury. This small oral appliance fits over your teeth to prevent harmful contact throughout the night.
Customized vs. Store-Bought Nightguards
At Waterbury Smiles, we only offer customized nightguards, as they provide the highest quality of protection against teeth grinding and are specially designed to comfortably fit your smile. While store-bought nightguards can be molded to your mouth, the quality of material is much lower, leading to a changing fit or damaged guard.
The Process of Getting a Nightguard
In order to create your nightguard, we must first capture a putty impression of your teeth. This will be sent to our dental laboratory, who will create a customized guard based on the impression that we provide them with. This process makes sure that every contour of your bite is captured, which will allow your appliance to feel more natural and comfortable. The laboratory will also use high-grade materials that are designed to withstand even the most aggressive grinding and clenching.
The Benefits of Getting a Nightguard for Bruxism
When you get a mouthguard for bruxism from a dentist, you will be able to enjoy a number of benefits, including:
- A more comfortable fit that makes it easier to sleep with
- Choose whether you want your nightguard to be made for your top or bottom arch
- Relieve jaw tension and prevent the development of TMJ disorder
- Protect your teeth from being chipped and cracked
- Enjoy a nightguard designed to last for over a year with good maintenance
Caring for Your Nightguard
In order to get the most out of your professionally-crafted nightguard, you will want to clean it regularly. You can do this by:
- Only use clean and cool water to wash your device before and after each time you use it.
- Let your nightguard air dry in a case that has adequate air flow.
- Do not use hot water to clean your appliance. It can warp its shape.
- Use clear hand soap and a toothbrush or special cleaning brush to thoroughly clean your appliance after each use.
- Do not try to sanitize your nightguard using alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, as this can degrade the materials.
If you have any questions about how to use your nightguard, our team at Waterbury Smiles is always happy to answer them!
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is a natural mineral that is added to many dental products and community water sources. Decades of research have shown that regular exposure to fluoride reduces a person’s likelihood of developing cavities. To ensure that our patients, especially children, are getting enough fluoride, we offer fluoride treatment at our practice. We simply apply a concentrated fluoride solution to the teeth for just about a minute. It is quick, easy, and can make a huge difference for your smile.
Children’s Dentistry
Did you know that the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children have their first dental visit by the time they turn one or when their first tooth erupts? At Waterbury Smiles, we are happy to treat your entire family! All children deserve to grow up with a healthy, happy smile!
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Have you been waking up gasping for air? Do you frequently feel tired? Does your partner complain of your snoring? This could be due to a common sleep disorder called “sleep apnea.” It affects approximately 30 million Americans. Many people don’t even realize that they have it. If you think you might have sleep apnea, let us know. This way, we can help you get the treatment you need to sleep soundly throughout the night.