Did you know that your dentist is oftentimes your best ally in ensuring not only your mouth is healthy but the rest of you is too? Beyond simple dental hygiene​, regular trips to Desert Dental will keep your teeth free from decay, and you safe from other issues such as oral cancer. We can also do advanced, high-tech airway testing to help with snoring or obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Wieseler conducts a thorough, comprehensive exam on every single one of our patients. This not only helps us get to connect with and know you as a person but also have a more in-depth understanding of what’s going on inside your mouth. It’s so important to regularly check and monitor your oral health. Like we said earlier, preventive dentistry in Hermiston​ and regular visits with us can help unveil underlying health issues or diseases that are closely related to your oral health. They include:

• Stomach or gastrointestinal diseases
• Skin diseases
• TMJ disorder
• Sinus problems
• Diabetes
• Sleep apnea
• Eating disorders
• HIV
• Skin issues
• Drug-related complications

Those are just some of the things we can be on the lookout for when during your gentle, comprehensive exam. This is why it’s so important to maintain a regular dental hygiene​ routine and checkups. We can keep a close eye on your teeth, gums, and jaw for any changes or abnormalities.

We practice pragmatic ​preventive dentistry in Hermiston w​hich is why we care so much about comprehensive examinations and oral cancer screenings. Why are oral cancer screenings so important? Let’s take a look at some of the latest statistics.

The ​Oral Cancer Foundation​ estimates:

• About 53,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer this year.
• The survival number at five years from diagnosis is about 57 percent.
• Oral cancer affects nearly one person every hour, 24 hours a day.

One of the biggest issues with oral cancer is that it often goes undetected. That’s why it’s so important to keep up with your routine ​dental hygiene​ and checkup appointments with Dr. Wieseler and the team at Desert Dental. Every time you come to see us for a comprehensive exam, we’re looking for any signs of oral and throat cancer. This takes a trained eye and advanced technology to detect. If you’ve been experiencing strange sores in your mouth or on your lips, you might want to give us a call. Recurring issues like should be monitored to help protect your oral and overall health. Schedule your comprehensive exam at our Hermiston dental office as soon as you can if there’s something in your mouth or throat that’s bothering you or doesn’t seem right. Early detection is the key to fighting oral cancer.

Dental x-rays have come a long way since lead vests and exposure to harmful radiation. Long considered one of the standards of comprehensive dental care and preventive dentistry in Hermiston​, x-rays are way different than the last time you and your family might have visited the dentist. This is all thanks to the major advancements in medical and dental technology. Your friends at Desert Dental are happy to provide our family of patients with the safest, most amazing care you can find anywhere in the Mid-Columbia and Tri-City areas.

We choose to use digital x-ray technology because it’s the safest around for you, your family, and our team members. Digital x-rays expose you to up to 75 percent less radiation compared to traditional x-rays. We can store them safely in our database without the need for unnecessary films that can be harmful to the environment. Digital x-rays provide your dentist with a clearer, more accurate, and consistent view of exactly what’s going on inside your mouth. The best part is you get to see it too. Our panoramic, full-scope x-rays go one step further. They allow us to take a look at how everything from your head, bone, and neck structures are working together or if there’s an underlying condition that intraoral photos cannot detect because they’re below the surface.

We talk a lot about dental hygiene​ for you and your family, but that’s because it’s just that important. Taking care of your teeth is going to reward you with a healthier, more confident smile that you’re always proud to share with others. Keeping it that way comes from regular dental hygiene ​practices both inside and outside of our dental office. What you do at home is just as important as what we do for you at Desert Dental. It’s important to remember that brushing twice a day (usually before and after bed) and flossing once is your best defense against harmful bacteria that can cause damaging plaque and tartar.

Coming to the office for a dental hygiene ​visit every six months is going to give your smile health and that added boost or bonus. Let’s face it, no matter how much you brush and floss, there are spots in your mouth that regular at-home care can’t reach. Your dental hygienist has special tools like a Sonic Scaler that can safely remove tartar and plaque buildup from your teeth before they lead to deterioration or damage. No scraping required! Don’t risk your smile health because you don’t feel like coming to the dentist! Checkups and cleanings are your #1 defense against all of the issues that can arise in our mouth.

We can’t talk about effective, preventive dentistry in Hermiston without addressing your gum or periodontal health. Often overlooked, our gums are super important for keeping teeth healthy. When gums aren’t healthy themselves, you run the risk of infection or, at the very worst stages, complete tooth loss. Good gums are a problem for most American families, whether they want or like to admit it or not. In fact, well over 85 percent of nearly all Americans have some sort of gum disease or a flareup in their lifetime. It’s that common and needs to be addressed as soon as possible to protect both your oral and overall health.

Our gums are strong, but they’re also susceptible. They have the ability to allow harmful bacteria from our mouth to pass through to them for a one-way ticket into our bloodstream. Recent studies and scientific findings have shown that this can lead to issues related to your overall health. They include:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Alzheimer’s
• Asthma
• Osteoporosis
• Cancers

At Desert Dental, we care for tiny teeth and grown-up smiles all the same. Everyone’s oral health is different, and it matters to us that we provide the most effective care possible to keep you healthy. That’s why we recommend fluoride treatments for every child at every visit, and adults as needed.

Fluoride treatments are utilized to provide preventive dentistry in Hermiston that takes routine ​dental hygiene​ one step further. Fluoride treatments can help to fix some of the damage done to your smile by:

• Your everyday diet
• Time and general wear
• Smoking and tobacco usage
• Prescription medications
• Sugary foods and sports beverages

Acids, carbohydrates, and more… They all eat away at your teeth every day. Why not give them an added level of protection against it all with a safe, effective fluoride treatment at your next visit with us? Talk to your dental team about what fluoride treatment options are available for you and your family. You’ll experience teeth with stronger enamel, less sensitivity, and a better feeling that your teeth are healthy and happy. Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally, replacing other minerals that are lost in your mouth. It can give your smile more strength and even harden tooth roots that are exposed.

What’s one of the most important aspects of your preventive dentistry in Hermiston​ according to us? Your comfort, of course. We want patients of all ages and stages in life to feel comfortable with us. That’s why we offer our patients many different anesthesias or sedation options. Along with Dr. Wieseler, we even have amazing dental hygienists that are certified in the safe, effective administration of anesthesia in our office. What exactly is available? Take a look and think about what option you might consider. We have a few solutions that nervous or fearful patients are really going to love and appreciate for help overcoming dental anxiety or preparing for a more in-depth treatment or oral surgery of any kind.

• Nitrous oxide – This is one of general dentistry’s most used types of anesthesia. Why? Because it’s easy to administer safely and, the best part is, the effects wear off quickly. Also commonly referred to as a “laughing gas”, nitrous oxide will make you feel calm, but will also allow you to go about your day following your dental appointment without needing someone to drive you home or extra supervision.
• Topical local anesthetic – This type of anesthetic is one of our go-to ways of getting you numb so you never feel a thing when we’re fixing your smile.
• Oral sedation – This works well for patients who really have terrible anxiety or worry about seeing a dentist. For whatever reason, it happens! Your friends at Desert Dental are here to help you. We’ll write you a prescription, and you’ll take your soothing medication prior to your visit with us. You’ll need to arrange for a ride home following your appointment.

Does snoring rule your house? Do people have to sleep in other rooms because of it? Do you rely on a consistent supply of earplugs to get you through the night because your bed partner snores so frequently and loudly?

We feel your pain. Whether it’s you personally or someone in your household, obstructive sleep apnea is no joke. This is mainly due to the fact that your snoring and bad breathing keep you from getting a good night’s sleep. Did you know that sleep apnea can wake you up hundreds of times a night, leaving you gasping for air, and you don’t even know it’s happening? It’s true! That’s one of the reasons sleep apnea is so dangerous and misunderstood.

Your friends at Desert Dental appreciate a good night’s sleep, and we want you to do the same. Talk to us about your sleep apnea diagnosis and options today. We can provide a special home sleep study for you to show you what’s happening while you catch some Zs. If necessary, Dr. Wieseler can even create a custom oral appliance to help silence your snoring. If you or someone at your house is struggling with snoring and getting the sleep they need, it’s time to talk to us.

The last thing anyone wants or needs to experience is a dental emergency. Let’s face it, they are not a lot of fun. Whether it’s your little one who took a tumble, and their tooth got in the way, or that nagging dental pain you’ve been experiencing finally erupts into a full-blown infection, emergencies happen. It’s a part of your life, just like we are, and we want you to know that the entire team at Desert Dental is ready to help.

Did you have a tooth fall out? Are you experiencing nerve pain that’s making your daily routine unbearable? Do you have an active child who loves playing sports but always seems to get in trouble with their teeth? Relax, and reach out to us as soon as possible. Most dental emergencies are easily fixed with a sensible solution that we understand to be urgent and necessary. We’ll work closely with you to create a plan of action that fits your needs and gets you or your family member feeling better fast. Your comfort and experience with us are what matters most. We have anesthesia or sedation options available to help you feel better. Don’t suffer or struggle. Call us and let us show you how ​preventive dentistry in Hermiston​ can easily fix what ails your smile.