Preventative Dentistry
Preventative Dental Care in Shakopee, MN
Many treatments are available to solve any oral health problems you may face. However, the best option for your oral health is to the prevention of dental problems before they happen. Dr. Ben Kuhr and the team at Kuhr Dental Group understand that their patients benefit most from preventative dentistry.
What is Preventative Dentistry?
Preventative dentistry, also called preventive dentistry, is the practice of actively reducing the risk of oral health problems, such as periodontal disease, tooth decay, and gingivitis. It accomplishes this task by stopping these issues at the source before they worsen or even begin. While preventative dental care can help any patient, it is particularly vital as part of pediatric dentistry to ensure that adult teeth grow to be as healthy as possible.
Benefits of Preventative Dental Care
The most common oral health problems can cause pain and discomfort, which impair essential functions like eating, drinking, sleeping, and speaking. In addition, some of these conditions can also lead to disease, decay, and tooth loss. These are serious problems that require more aggressive treatment with recovery time, pain management, antibiotics, and visits to orthodontic specialists and your dentist. Preventative dental treatment helps you maintain your quality of life by dealing with oral health issues before they start or while they are still minor in severity.
In addition, oral health conditions affect your appearance as much as your health. For example, when your teeth are discolored or damaged, it decreases the quality of your smile, which can have a negative effect on your confidence and social life. By preventing disease and decay, you won’t have to go through the hassle of hiding your smile until you can undergo treatment to restore the health and appearance of your teeth.
Finally, preventative dental care procedures start with a thorough oral exam, which is designed to identify potential health issues as they start. And many medical disorders have indications of their presence that begin with your teeth and gums, even if the problem affects other body parts. Of course, your dentist cannot diagnose these disorders. But they can recommend a visit to a general healthcare practitioner for a proper screening if they discover indications of a severe health condition.
The Risks of Not Taking Care of Your Teeth
Barring accidents that cause injury to your mouth, oral health conditions can universally be prevented with adequate dental care. This prevention relies on patients regularly visiting their dentist and engaging in proper care at home, too. After all, a toothbrush is the most effective tool for preventing adverse oral health conditions.
If you neglect your oral health by not brushing and flossing or consuming sugary and acidic food and drink without moderation, bacteria will build up on the surfaces of your teeth and in the crevices of your mouth. Bacteria and food particles left behind will lead to bad breath and tooth discoloration.
As this bacteria grows and develops, it will form colonies called plaque, which can wear away your enamel. Over time, plaque can harden into tartar. While plaque can be treated at home, tartar can only be treated with a professional cleaning.
As plaque and tartar progress, they will produce toxins that break down both tissue and enamel. This process leads to disease and tooth decay, both of which cause the loss of teeth and extensive damage to your gums. Eventually, decay and disease will cause bone degeneration in your jaw, and they can even spread to other areas and cause adverse maxillofacial conditions.
Preventative Dental Care Services
Due to the vital part preventative dental care plays in protecting your oral health, many dentists offer various preventative dental care services in addition to recommendations for brushing, flossing, and carefully maintaining your diet. Some of the most common professional preventive dental services you could receive include:
Cost of Preventative Dental Services
Because preventative dental care is vital in stopping periodontal disease and tooth decay, many of the procedures associated with it are highly affordable. In addition, most insurance providers will offer full coverage for preventative procedures. Kuhr Dental Group acts as an in-network provider for many private insurance companies. And for our patients without insurance, we offer a “dental group savings program” that gives patients access to basic dental care at a discount.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Your oral health is essential, so you should visit a dental office that treats it as such. At Kuhr Dental Group, we emphasize the utmost care for our patients, treating them like family as soon as they enter our office. We recognize that dental appointments can be challenging for many people, so we do everything possible to ensure your comfort.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment.