Preventive Dentistry

The Best Treatment Is Often Prevention

Sometimes, the best solution to life’s many dental concerns is to keep them from happening in the first place. At our Murfreesboro office, our dentists take steps to help prevent oral health issues from occurring, or treat them as soon as they start developing. Additionally, they provide education on how to care for your smile at home. These preventive measures can help save your oral health while also saving you time, money, and discomfort.

What Is Preventive Dentistry?                                                                                              

Preventive dentistry is defined as the steps you and your dentist take to help prevent oral disease and health issues or to intervene in the earliest stages of an issue for more effective treatment. The goal of preventive dentistry is to combine maintenance and early intervention with a proper oral hygiene routine for consistently better health. Through these means, you’ll likely enjoy much better oral health and a more beautiful smile.

Preventive Dental Care Benefits

Preventive dentistry is a necessary part of dental health for reasons such as:

  • Lower treatment costs
  • Less time at the dentist’s office
  • Less discomfort
  • Improved oral and overall health
  • A more consistently healthy and beautiful smile
  • Your dentist will have an easier time treating issues in the earlier stages

Taking the necessary steps to help prevent dental issues will be rewarding for both you and your dentist. When your oral health stays optimal, your dentist will have a much easier time helping you maintain your beautiful, healthy smile. Keep reading to learn more about our preventive dentistry services and the steps we can take to help you smile and feel your best.

Our Preventive Dentistry Services

Dental Exams

The foremost manner of keeping your smile healthy is by keeping up with your dental exams. Regular dental exams twice a year, or once every six months, allow our Murfreesboro preventative dentists to understand and keep track of your oral health. Once they’ve evaluated your oral health and confirmed any issues they’ve detected, they can draft an individualized treatment plan.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Like most forms of cancer, individuals with oral cancer have a much higher survival rate the sooner effective treatment is administered. Our dentists provide oral cancer screenings as part of every routine dental exam.

Common signs of oral cancer may include:

                                                         
  • Persistent sore throat
  • Feeling that something is caught at the back of the throat
  • Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
  • Bleeding sore on the face, neck, or mouth that doesn’t 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
  • Changes in the way your teeth or dentures fit together
  •                                                                                                          

If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, call our dental office as soon as possible by dialing 615-896-1330. Our preventative dentists are trained in the detection of possibly cancerous tissues, utilizing tools such as visual/tactile exams, dyes that reveal abnormal tissues under specially designed lights, biopsies, and other methods.

Dental Cleanings

Dental cleanings are professional cleanings carried out by your dental hygienist. They’ll use special tools to reach areas easily missed by brushing, flossing, and rinsing. Then, they’ll polish and floss your teeth before applying a fluoride treatment for added protection. Not only will these professional preventive cleanings help your smile look brighter, they’ll help get rid of bacteria-laden plaque and tartar build-up, which can lead to issues such as tooth decay and gum disease.

Dental Education

Your Murfreesboro preventative dentist will provide dental education on how to care for your smile at home. Beyond instructing you on how to properly brush and floss, your dentist can give you tips on habits to avoid and other steps to take in your oral hygiene routine based on your unique dental health needs. If you have any questions about how to improve and maintain your oral health at home, we’ll happily answer them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do preventive dental services cost?

The exact cost of your preventive dentistry service will depend on numerous factors including your current level of oral health and what service you’re receiving. To keep costs down, you should see your Murfreesboro preventative dentist regularly for cleanings and exams so they can intervene sooner if they notice an issue. Your dentist will give you a more complete breakdown of any costs during your initial consultation.

Is preventive dental care covered by insurance?                                                                                                            

Since preventive dental care usually eliminates the need for more costly procedures your provider would have to pay more for, it’s likely that your insurance will cover some or all of the costs. Our preventive dentists encourage you to contact your insurance provider beforehand and ask them which costs they can cover. If you still need help covering the cost of your preventive dental care, we also offer an in-office membership club to help you save money.                                                      

What are some oral self-care strategies for preventive dentistry?                                                                                                            

To care for your smile at home, our preventative Murfreesboro dentists offer some of the following advice:

  • Brush twice a day
  • Floss once a day (preferably before bedtime)
  • Rinse between meals
  • Stay hydrated
  • Limit sugary foods and drinks
  • Don’t chew on your nails and other hard non-food things
  • Avoid alcohol and tobacco products
  • Visit our Murfreesboro dental office for regular dental exams twice a year

What’s the difference between preventive dentistry and restorative dentistry?                                                                                                            

Preventive dentistry is about preventing oral health issues and/or intervening as soon as possible for more effective treatment and less damage.                                                        

Restorative dentistry is about returning form and function to your smile after the issue has already developed. Sometimes a restorative procedure is used for preventive purposes, such as preventing the need for a tooth extraction with a root canal.

Prevent Oral Health Issues For A Healthier, More Beautiful Smile

By utilizing our preventive dentistry services, you can help your smile stay consistently healthy and beautiful, while saving yourself time, money, and discomfort. Our dentists offer preventive dental care to patients from Murfreesboro and surrounding areas such as La Vergne, Brentwood, and Franklin, TN.                                                    

If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of preventive dentistry services, then contact the dental office of the Drs. Starbody by dialing (615) 896-1330. You can also fill out and submit the contact form below and one of our friendly team members will get back to you shortly.

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