Dental exams and cleanings are an essential part of maintaining good oral health. A dentist or dental hygienist performs a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and overall oral health. During a dental exam, your dentist will look for any issues affecting your oral or overall health, such as tooth decay, gum disease, or oral cancer. At Brinkley Dental Group, we believe that preventive care is the best way to maintain optimal oral health.
In this blog post, we will delve into what you can expect during a dental examination and cleaning and why it’s essential to maintain regular dental visits.
During a dental examination, our dentist looks inside and outside your mouth for concerns that may affect your oral and overall health. The examination starts with a comprehensive new patient exam where the dentist looks at missing, decayed, or restored teeth and evaluates the state of your gums to determine their health.
In addition, the dentist checks for the following:
- Previous dental work functioning well
- Signs of grinding or clenching
- Health and function of your temporomandibular joint
- Signs of tissue changes, lesions, growths, and irritations
- State of the salivary glands, lymph nodes, and muscles to ensure they are healthy
- Review of medical history to ensure dental care is not affected by medical concerns
- Review of radiographs and dental images
By conducting a thorough examination, we can identify any present or impending concerns and discuss the most effective treatment options with you.
Dental cleanings are critical to maintaining optimal dental and general health. During the cleaning, a review of health and an examination are done to ensure there are no present or impending concerns that should be addressed. The cleaning process involves the removal of tartar (calculus) above and below the gum, removal of plaque, polishing, fluoride and/or radiographs if required. In addition, we examine your mouth and facial structures to ensure there are no new concerns.
Why Are Regular Visits Critical?
Regular dental visits are critical to ensure ideal dental care. By maintaining a regular schedule of dental exams and cleanings, we can identify any issues early on and provide prompt treatment. This prevents minor issues from turning into major ones and helps prevent oral health problems from impacting your overall health.
Regular dental exams and cleanings are critical for maintaining optimal oral health and preventing potential dental issues.
So, don’t skip your regular dental appointments and be a BFF with your teeth to enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile for years to come.