Preventive dentistry.

Your mouth is a mirror of your overall health. Studies have shown strong links between gum disease and other oral problems and serious health conditions including diabetes, atherosclerosis, strokes, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and respiratory disease. Dr. Maher is wholly committed to providing the least amount and the most minimally invasive dentistry over your lifetime.

The healthy mouth baseline

These are the criteria we’re helping you strive for as a patient of our office:

• ✓ You can eat and drink comfortably at all times regardless of food temperature, free from pain and sensitivity.
• ✓ Your teeth are strong and solid without any signs of decay.
• ✓ Your gums are pink and healthy.
• ✓ Gum pocket depths are nonexistent or less than 3 mm.
• ✓ The margins between gum tissue and teeth are within normal limits.
• ✓ You can brush and floss without swollen, bleeding, or painful tissue.

If you meet all of these — fantastic. We’ll focus on preventive care to keep things in excellent condition. If you’re missing one or more, we know what we need to work on, and we’ll provide the tools and skills to get there.

Comprehensive exams

Every visit includes a careful evaluation of your teeth, gums, and bite. We discuss what we’re seeing and explain any recommendations clearly.

Brushing & flossing

Regular brushing and flossing using good technique is the best tool you have when it comes to keeping your mouth healthy and preventing cavities, decay, and periodontal disease. Dr. Maher follows the guidelines set by the American Dental Association and recommends that most patients brush their teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. Flossing should be done once daily, usually in the evening, prior to brushing.

Dr. Maher or your dental hygienist will be happy to discuss your brushing and flossing habits with you and give you tips as well as hands-on demonstrations to help improve your technique.

Digital X-rays

Pain can often be the last symptom to appear when a problem is present. X-rays allow us to see inside your tooth to identify problems and head them off before they become painful. We use low-radiation digital X-rays for diagnosing cavities, evaluating periodontal disease, and assessing the overall health of your teeth.

Night guards (occlusal guards)

Occlusal guards are usually prescribed for patients who clench or grind their teeth excessively, which often leads to headaches, jaw pain, or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues. These appliances not only alleviate symptoms but also reduce the need for expensive dental work in the future — protecting teeth and restorations from the pressure created by clenching or grinding, decreasing the need for crowns and root canals down the road.

Dr. Maher takes impressions in office to fabricate your night guard for a custom fit. Ask about whether one might work for you.

Care for kids

Dr. Maher has experience treating patients of all life stages, kids included. He doesn’t specialize in pediatric dentistry but has years of experience treating children. One advantage of seeing a family dentist is that your entire family can receive quality treatment under one roof.

When children visit, we make their comfort a priority — speaking in terms they can understand, avoiding anything that might make them anxious. With very young children, we spend time helping them adjust to the sights and sounds, take them for a ride in the chair, and count their teeth.