Your dental health is the biggest treasure you could ever possess. The question is, how do you take care of that treasure and prevent it from losing its value? In other words, are you making conscious efforts to maintain good health of mind and body?
Your oral health as vital as any other aspect of your overall health as it affects and can also be affected by internal and external factors. Taking care of your oral health ultimately depends on how much information you have regarding your dentition.
That’s where a dental examination comes in. So, what should you expect during dental examinations, and why are they important?
What Goes On During A Dental Exam?
There are two procedures to expect at every dental examination, these include a thorough mouth cleaning by the hygienist, and the second is a thorough oral examination by the dentist. Moreover, you should also anticipate an oral X-ray if the dentist deems it necessary. However, the X-ray isn’t always carried out, but it’s useful for examining hidden dental problems like bone loss in the jaw and hidden cavities.
1. Oral Cleansing
Think of the dental cleaning as the preparatory step in the dental examination. When you visit a clinic, you’ll be greeted by a hygienist who proceeds to clean your mouth in these simple steps:
- Your teeth will be scaled with a metal tool which will remove built-up plaque and tartar. This will help get rid of unwanted particles for a smooth oral exam
- Next comes the polishing using an electric toothbrush with a rubber tip and special gel.
- Once the teeth have been polished, flossing follows for the thorough removal of particles
- A special gel or foam of fluoride or dental sealants may be applied
2. Oral Assessment
Once the cleaning has been completed, the main oral exam is conducted by the dentist. The following is a list of what to expect:
- An oral X-ray is first carried out if recommended. As earlier stated, it’ll help check for hidden dental issues like bone loss in the jaw and gum diseases.
- The dentist will also examine your teeth and gums
- This is followed by checking your bite, which is a good indicator of how well your upper and lower dentition fit each other.
- Next is a quick check for unhealthy signs in the mouth such as lumps that could indicate oral cancer
Why Do You Need To Go For Dental Examinations?
Aside from doing your teeth a favour to prevent cavities and other issues, many other reasons prompt a visit to the dentist. The following are common reasons why dental examinations are important:
- A family history of oral diseases which increases your vulnerability to bad oral health
- Medical conditions that affect the dentition, e.g., diabetes and immune diseases
- Dental problems like cavities and gum diseases
- Smoking habits that increase the likelihood of dental problems
- Pregnancy which increases your chances of developing gum disease
- Poor feeding and oral hygiene
- Regular toothache
- Broken or chipped tooth
The above are the major signals for a dental examination, and if ignored, they can lead to bigger issues for your dentition.
Bottom Line
Dental examinations are crucial for good oral health and, for that reason, should never be ignored or taken lightly. Instead, it’s important to develop a routine that includes occasional visits to a dental clinic like Diamond Smile.