Preventive Dentistry – Covington, LA

Dental Checkups
& Teeth Cleanings

Regular teeth cleanings are recommended at least every six months for optimum oral health. With diligent maintenance, Dr. Moreau can effectively stop dental problems before they start, or keep small problems from becoming big, expensive ones later on.

Studies have shown a direct correlation between periodontal disease (gum disease) and other medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and low birth weight/ premature babies. Regular dentistry examinations can lead to early detection and more successful management of your total health. Our non-surgical periodontal (soft-tissue) therapy program carefully documents and monitors the appropriate classification and treatment for your gums at any level of health or disease.

In addition to your regular checkups, we educate our patients on how to keep up their home care with proper, consistent brushing and flossing. When you come to visit us, we tailor your cleaning to your personal needs and with your comfort and relaxation in mind. Our patients are at ease and actually enjoy their visits to MoreSMILES Dental.

Learn More About Dental Checkups & Cleanings

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in our bones (in the form of calcium fluoride) and fresh vegetables. It’s known to help strengthen tooth enamel and protect pearly whites from cavities. If you aren’t receiving enough of this mineral, you may be at a higher risk of dental decay. In these cases, we’ll suggest a fluoride treatment, which is a quick, pain-free, and easy way to protect your smile.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer is a very serious disease – in fact, studies show that one person dies from it every hour on average. This happens because so many cases aren’t diagnosed properly until they’ve already reached advanced stages, making recovery a difficult process. At MoreSMILES Dental, oral cancer screenings are a vital part of every routine evaluation, and if our dentists locate any concerning signs of potentially cancerous tissue, we can help you arrange a biopsy and further diagnostic help.

Non-Surgical
Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal disease is a very common health condition that is characterized by several concerning symptoms, including the following:

• Oral bleeding that occurs when brushing or flossing
• Excessively swollen, red, or tender gum tissue
• Significant bad breath that isn’t alleviated with brushing/flossing/mouthwash
• A shift in the way your teeth feel/fit together
• Teeth that appear gradually longer over time because of gum recession

Left untreated, this infection can rage out of control, leading to bone deterioration, tooth loss, and even potential complications associated with overall health problems, like heart disease, diabetes, and more. At MoreSMILES Dental, Dr. Moreau, Dr. Doyle, and the rest of our team will screen for periodontal disease at every routine appointment, and if we determine that you need treatment, several revitalizing options are available. These include the in-depth cleaning known as scaling and root planing, state-of-the-art soft tissue laser therapy with WaterLase, and healing antibiotic therapy. Our recommendation for your case will depend on the severity of your current condition.

Learn More About Other Gum Disease Treatments

Salivary Diagnostics

When patients are especially prone to gum disease or cavities, there may be a deeper reason for that – and salivary diagnostics can shed some light on it! This quick and simple test examines the bacterial load in your mouth and how it affects not just your oral health, but your overall wellbeing. With this vital information, our approach to treatment can be even more personalized.

Our Dental
Exam Process

A number of diagnostic screenings are included in our exam to help identify risk factors for general health-related conditions such as headaches, TMJ symptoms, and sleep disorders such as apnea and snoring. Digital X-rays, safer than conventional X-rays, offer a vivid representation of each tooth’s anatomy, bone structure, and nerves. Our Galileos 3D Cone Beam imaging system provides detailed images with panorama X-rays and CT scans. These images allow your dentist to view everything from your jaw joint to the number of roots and canals each tooth has.

Magnification Loupes are used by all of our hygienists and dentists when examining and cleaning teeth. Intraoral photography is also used diagnostically to provide a better view of what’s going on around those pearly whites. It lets you see what we see.