Preventive Dentistry
Springfield, NJ
 Healthy smiles for healthy families start with professional family dentistry. At Hammer Dental Associates, your bright, healthy smile is our top priority. Of course, you'll only smile if you're as happy with our service as you are with our dental treatment. That's why we take the time to listen to your needs and concerns. Not only do we listen to your concerns, but we use gentle, efficient cleaning techniques. We also hire caring, highly trained professionals. Our experienced team of specialists is invested in meeting all of your dental needs; from calming anxieties to teaching good habits, from regular check-ups to sophisticated dental surgery.
At Hammer Dental Associates, we take exceptional care of your oral health. Below are some of the preventive dental services that our practice provides.
Cleanings, Exams and X-rays
Cleanings
Professional cleanings performed by Dr. Seth Hammer or hygienist are as important to your dental health as daily brushing and flossing. Twice yearly dental check-ups and cleanings help catch problems when they are small and easier to treat. Left unattended, small treatable problems become worse and may require more extensive, expensive procedures to repair.
Using specialized tools and training, Dr. Hammer will remove:
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Plaque build-up from the surfaces of teeth. Bacteria in the mouth form plaque, which collects on teeth and causes decay, gum disease and gingivitis
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Tartar from teeth surfaces. Tartar, or calculus, is plaque that has become hardened on the teeth; its removal requires scaling
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Surface stains from teeth through polishing |
Some patients will require a deep cleaning due to gum disease and past periodontal treatments. Dr. Seth Hammer will review your past dental history and identify any issues you may need treatment for.
Examinations
Regular examinations, by Dr. Seth Hammer help detect and prevent health issues before they become serious. Consistent dental check-ups help catch problems when they are small and easier to treat. Left unattended, small treatable problems become worse and may require more extensive, expensive procedures to repair. Dental examinations generally include the following:
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Gum disease screening
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Oral cancer screening
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Visual tooth decay evaluation
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Gum pocket measurement and tracking
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X-ray examination to detect: tooth decay, cysts, tumors, problems below the gums and other hidden issues |
Regular examinations by Dr. Seth Hammer are very important for your health.
Remember, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." –Benjamin Franklin
X-rays (Radiographs)
Dental x-rays are a primary tool for early identification of dental problems. Dr. Hammer can detect issues with x-rays before they become problems, saving you money in the long run by preventing the need for more expensive procedures or surgeries. X-rays are primarily used to detect internal tooth decay, cysts (fluid filled sacks at the base of your teeth), tumors, impacted teeth, and teeth that are still erupting.
Under Armour Performance Mouth Guards
 Would you like to increase your strength, speed, and balance without any training? Sounds too good to be true, right? Professional athletes across the nation are stepping up their game with the Under Armour Performance Mouthwear.
More than just a mouth guard, Under Armour Performance Mouthwear is custom designed to reduce jaw tension, allowing you to focus on what's important—smearing the competition! The Under Armour Performance Mouthwear does more than protect your mouth and teeth from sports-related injuries. Clenching, the body's natural reaction to stress, releases the hormone cortisol, which can cause fatigue and distraction.
The Under Armour Performance Mouthwear prevents clenching and also pivots the jaw forward, alleviates jaw pressure, enlarges airway openings, and increasing oxygen flow to the body.
As an Under Armour Performance Mouthwear provider, the dentist can fit you for the appliance in one visit. First, we'll take impressions of your teeth and register your bite. The entire process takes about 20 minutes, and you'll receive your Under Armour Performance Mouthwear in about 10 days. Hundreds of athletes currently use the Under Armour Performance Mouthwear to improve their sports performance. It's recommended for adults and children eight and older who play contact, no-contact, and limited-contact sports, including football, baseball, soccer, tennis, and golf.
Oral Cancer Screening
Your mouth is part of the oral cavity, which also includes your lips, cheek lining, gums, front part of your tongue, floor of the mouth and the hard palate (roof of your mouth). The throat (pharynx) starts at the soft part of the roof of your mouth and continues back into your throat. It includes the back section of your tongue as well as the base where the tongue attaches to the floor of your mouth.
During your dental visit, Dr. Seth Hammer can talk to you about your health history and examine you for signs of mouth and/or throat cancer. Regular visits to Hammer Dental Associates can improve the chances that any suspicious changes in your oral health will be caught early, at a time when cancer can be treated more easily.
Symptoms of Mouth or Throat Cancer
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Sores that bleed easily or do not heal
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Thick or hard spot or lump
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Roughened or crusted area
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Numbness, pain or tenderness
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A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite down |
Make sure to tell your dentist about any problems you have when chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving your tongue or jaw.
Periodontal Health
 One of the best ways to keep your gums from bleeding when you come in for a cleaning is to floss regularly. Brushing your teeth before or after flossing is less important than whether you floss or not.
Regular Periodontal Checkups Save Lives
Have you been diagnosed with periodontal disease? In addition to your regular dental checkups, it is a good idea for you to also have a yearly periodontal check-up. Once periodontal disease has progressed, it is often a matter of regular maintenance visits to help keep the disease in check.
Annual exams should include periodontal charting and comprehensive x-rays to monitor any bone loss that might have occurred. If you aren't sure whether you have gum disease, schedule your check-up today and let us evaluate your gum and bone health.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition that affects how you breathe when sleeping. During sleep, normal breathing can be interrupted for ten seconds or more, possibly hundreds of times during a single night. Untreated sleep apnea prevents you from getting enough deep, restorative sleep. Without enough deep sleep you may be sleepy, lack mental sharpness and be less productive. Long term health effects can be serious, including weight gain, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
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Loud, chronic snoring |
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Insomnia |
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Breathing pauses for long periods |
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Waking up often at night |
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Forgetfulness, irritability, depression |
Home Treatments for Light Sleep Apnea
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Avoid sleeping on your back, because your tongue is more likely to block your airway |
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Elevate your head using extra pillows or a body wedge |
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Open your nasal passage via breathing strips, saline nasal flush, or a nasal dilator |
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Lose weight |
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Exercise |
Treatments for Moderate to Severe Sleep Apnea
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Talk to a doctor trained in sleep apnea |
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Use supplemental oxygen while sleeping |
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Use a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure) machine |
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Oral appliances made by Hammer Dental Associates such as the "TAP3", to help keep your airway open |
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