Preventive Dentistry – Mankato, MN
Maintain a Healthy Smile for a Lifetime
Many patients aren’t aware that routine dental care can truly be lifechanging for their oral and overall health and wellness. Our hygienists will evaluate your needs and recommend how often you should visit us for a routine checkup and cleaning. You can learn more about some of the options for preventive dentistry in our Mankato, MN dental office that keep your smile’s health on the right track by reading below.
Why Choose Hyland Dental for Preventive Dentistry?
- We See Patients of All Ages
- Locally-Owned Family Dental Office
- Highly Experienced Dentist
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
Every six months, we recommend visiting our dental office for a checkup and cleaning. During your appointment, Dr. Hyland or Dr. Hampen will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth and gums and capture X-rays in search of any signs of oral health problems. If they find anything, they’ll discuss it with you along with a recommended treatment plan to get your oral health back on the right track. Depending on your cleaning needs, you may end up getting a cleaning the same day, or your hygienist may have different recommendations after assessing your gum health.
Learn More About Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer is an incredibly deadly disease if it’s left to advance to other areas of the body. That’s why we conduct thorough screenings at each of your checkups and cleanings. For patients who are at a higher risk of developing the disease, our team will use a special device, called a VELscope to examine your oral tissues. This device uses special technology to highlight oral mucosal abnormalities, like cancer, to make sure that if there are any symptoms of the disease, they’re immediately spotted.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatment is a simple, fast, and pain-free treatment that we can conduct at you or your child’s routine appointment to help reduce your risk of cavities by strengthening the outermost layer of your teeth, called the enamel. All we’ll do is place a fluoridated varnish over your teeth, and then you’ll be done!
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are typically recommended for children, because they’re still learning how to properly brush and floss their teeth, but they can also be beneficial for adults, too! These clear shields are painted over the biting surface of molars to cover the deep grooves and pits that trap food debris and bacteria, making brushing more effective.
Athletic Mouthguards/
Sportsguards
Do you or your child participate in local athletics or sports teams? To minimize your chances of sustaining permanent oral damage, you’ll need a mouthguard. At Hyland Dental, we create custom-fitted sportsguards that are made to offer maximized protection to your jaw joints and teeth as well as be easy to run and jump in. That way, you or your child can give your best on the field or court without having to worry about the worst-case scenario.
Nightguards for Bruxism
Do you wake up with a sore jaw or dry mouth, or have you noticed that your molars are beginning to look flat and worn-down? These are some of the most common signs of a condition called bruxism, or the nightly grinding and clenching of the teeth. When left unchecked, bruxism can lead to problems like TMJ dysfunction and damaged teeth, which is why it’s crucial to protect your mouth as you sleep. Dr. Hyland offers specially-designed TMD guards for clenching and grinding to do just that.
Periodontal Therapy
Gum disease, also sometimes referred to as periodontal disease, is one of the most common oral health problems in the world, affecting one out of every two adults in the nation. Our goal at Hyland Dental is to spot the early signs of gum disease, such as bleeding while brushing and flossing, and address the issue before it has a chance to progress and cause permanent oral damage. We offer scaling and root planing and Arestin targeted antibiotic therapy to help get the health of your gums on the right track.
Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment
Children who struggle to adequately move their lip and/or tongue oftentimes have what is known as a lip or tongue-tie. Formed while in the womb, these restricted bands of tissue located underneath the tongue or behind the upper lip can make nursing, breathing, and even speaking more difficult as a child grows older. With lip and tongue-tie treatment, though, our team can release these tissues to create a greater range of oral movement.
Learn More About Lip & Tongue-Tie Treatment
Children’s Dentistry
Do you have a little one who is due for a checkup and cleaning? Our team at Hyland Dental offers several kid-friendly treatments to help prevent cavities as well as child-education on how to keep their smile healthy into adulthood. We aim to create a positive relationship between the dentist and your little one, so they can look forward to getting their teeth cleaned and taking care of their grins.