General Dentistry in Big Spring, TX

Dental Cleanings & Exams

At Ward Family Dental, PC, our team emphasizes the importance of dental cleanings and exams to maintain your oral health and prevent conditions like tooth decay and gum disease. Each visit includes thorough plaque and tartar removal, flossing, tooth polishing for a bright smile, and an extensive evaluation for any signs of dental problems. We may also use dental X-rays to provide a more detailed assessment. Regular check-ups, typically recommended every six months, are crucial for sustaining good oral health and catching potential issues early. For specific needs or dental emergencies, more frequent visits can be arranged. Contact us to schedule your next preventative care appointment.

Children’s Dentistry

Ward Family Dental, PC provides pediatric dentistry and welcomes children five years and up. Younger children are usually best served by a pediatric dental specialist. Our team, sensitive to the unique challenges young patients may face, is skilled in making dental visits comfortable and positive, promoting a lifetime of healthy smiles. We emphasize the importance of regular check-ups, recommending visits every six months for exams and cleanings to detect and prevent issues like tooth decay early. Beyond professional care, we advocate for establishing good oral hygiene practices at home, including proper brushing, flossing, and a balanced diet. For guidance on your child’s oral health and to foster good dental habits, connect with us. 

NTI Headache Prevention Treatment

Suffering from chronic headaches and migraines? At Ward Family Dental, PC, we provide NTI-tss therapy, an FDA-approved, non-surgical solution aimed at reducing and preventing headaches by addressing bruxism, TMJ, and other related factors. The NTI device is a custom-fitted night guard that covers your upper front teeth, effectively minimizing intense nighttime clenching by preventing contact between your canines and back teeth. This not only reduces clenching activity but significantly lowers the chance of migraines by stopping hyperactive nerve responses, helping you achieve a healthier and more comfortable quality of life.

Oral Hygiene

During your visits, our team will assess your oral hygiene and help develop a routine tailored to keeping your teeth clean and healthy. Good dental hygiene at home is essential to prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease, contributing to a healthy, beautiful smile. While we strive to improve your oral health in our office, maintaining consistent oral hygiene practices at home is crucial. This includes adopting daily habits that support a bright, healthy smile. For further guidance on enhancing your oral health and to schedule your next appointment, we encourage you to reach out to our office. 

Our dentist and team recommend that you follow these basic steps to help your smile stay in optimal health:

• Brush your teeth after each meal or at least twice a day. We encourage you to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste that includes fluoride.
• Floss at least once every day. The most important time to floss is just before you go to sleep at night.
• Eat a balanced diet. Limiting your intake of very sugary and acidic foods can help to prevent tooth decay.
• Maintain your regular visits with our dentist every six months. During these visits, we will provide professional teeth cleaning and a thorough dental exam to make certain we provide any needed preventive or restorative treatments.

Oral Cancer Screening

During regular dental exams, our team conducts oral cancer screenings as a preventative measure. These screenings aim to detect cancers of the lips, tongue, cheeks, throat, sinuses, and palates early on, where treatment is most effective. Unfortunately, oral cancer often reaches advanced stages before being discovered, making screenings critical. Our approach includes thorough visual inspections and the use of advanced technology to identify any abnormal tissues as soon as possible. By integrating these screenings into routine cleanings and exams, we are committed to detecting and addressing oral cancers and abnormalities at their earliest stages, ensuring the best possible health outcomes.

The following are common symptoms of oral cancer:

• A persistent sore throat or feeling that something is caught at the back of the throat
• Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
• A persistent or lasting sore on the face, neck, or mouth that bleeds easily and does not heal within two weeks
• Unexplained loss of feeling, pain, or numbness in the face, neck, or mouth
• Ear pain
• Lumps, bumps, or rough spots on the gums, lips, or other parts of the mouth
• Red, white, or speckled red-and-white patches in the mouth
• Difficulty chewing, speaking, or swallowing
• A change in the way your teeth or dentures fit together

Sedation Dentistry

Prioritizing comfort during dental treatments, sedation dentistry is offered to alleviate anxiety and fear, facilitating a seamless experience for those apprehensive about dental procedures. Available options include nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral sedation, addressing various patient concerns and ensuring a relaxed visit. This approach is especially beneficial for individuals with previous negative dental experiences, a high degree of nervousness, difficulties with anesthesia, or a sensitive gag reflex. Safe and closely monitored, sedation dentistry requires patients, in some cases, to arrange transportation post-appointment. These methods significantly enhance patient ease, making for a more pleasant dental visit.

Nitrous Oxide

Dental anxiety is more common than you might think, and we never want fear to keep you from getting the care you need. Nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, is a simple and safe way to help you relax during your appointment.

By inhaling this nitrogen-oxygen mixture, you will feel calm and at ease, allowing your visit to go smoothly. The gas is delivered through a small, comfortable mask placed over your nose and takes effect within minutes. You stay awake and aware the whole time. 

The effects wear off quickly, so you can drive yourself home or to work afterward. No need to arrange a ride or clear your schedule for the rest of the day. 

Good for patients who feel nervous about dental visits, have a sensitive gag reflex, or just want to take the edge off. Ask our team if nitrous oxide is a good fit for your next appointment.

Oral Conscious Sedation

For patients who need a deeper level of relaxation, oral conscious sedation is a great option. It works well for those with significant dental anxiety, a strong gag reflex, or anyone who needs a lot of work done in a single visit.

You will be given your prescribed medication at your appointment and it takes effect very quickly causing you to be relaxed and at ease. You remain conscious throughout the procedure, but most patients feel very little stress and many remember little to nothing about the visit afterward. 

Because the medication stays in your system for a while, you will need to arrange a ride home and have someone with you for the rest of the day. Our team will give you clear instructions ahead of time so there are no surprises. 

If you have been avoiding the dentist for a long time, oral conscious sedation can be the thing that finally makes it possible to get your smile back on track. Call us at 432-267-1677 to talk through your options.