Why are Dental Exams & Cleanings Essential?
Caring for your mouth is pretty straightforward. You just need to maintain good at-home dental hygiene and habits, along with routine professional cleanings and checkups.
When it comes to regular dental exams and cleanings, you don’t have to have an existing oral condition. Dental exams and cleanings go beyond solving existing problems. Dental exams focus on preventing, identifying, diagnosing, and treating dental conditions. If you haven’t had a dental exam recently, it might be a good time to schedule one with your dentist. Experts recommend having at least two dental cleanings and exams each year.
Why Do You Need a Dental Exam?
Here are four reasons routine dental exams are essential:
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Cleaning your mouth to prevent dental problems
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Early identification of dental problems
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Improved oral hygiene and health
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Preventive care
During a dental exam, the dentist thoroughly cleans your teeth, gums, and mouth. This helps to remove plaque, tartar, or bacteria buildup in the mouth. These deposits make you susceptible to cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and more if not corrected.
The dentist also inspects your mouth for warning signs of dental problems such as oral cancer, tooth decay, and gum disease. These symptoms can include cavities, gum inflammation, lumps, bite problems, sores, and other abnormalities. If necessary, the dentist might take x-rays to inspect deeper oral structures such as the jawbone.
If any problems are detected, it’s addressed timely before it develops or worsen. By cleaning your mouth, identifying early symptoms of diseases, and treatment of oral conditions timely, your oral hygiene and health are significantly improved.
However, when a condition is identified after the fact, treatment can be long, complex, and expensive. For cases of oral cancer, late diagnosis can even cause death.
The dentist cleans your mouth during a dental exam, significantly reducing your risk of gum disease, bone disease, and tooth decay.
In some cases, the dentist can perform preventive dentistry such as fluoride applications and dental sealants. This prevents or reduces your risk of gum disease, cavities, and other oral diseases.
What Happens During a Dental Exam?
Typically, dental exams are straightforward. The first step is to call your dentist and schedule an appointment. If you don’t have a dentist, you should begin by identifying a reputable dental office. Marshfield Dental Group offers professional dental exams & cleanings.
A dental exam typically involves:
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Patient’s Information
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Initial oral exam
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Professional cleaning
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Comprehensive Exam
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Final Results
The exam commonly begins with the dentist reviewing your oral history. The dentist might ask about your at-home dental routine, existing dental conditions, and whether you have been experiencing any dental difficulties or discomforts since your last visit.
Next, the dentist or hygienist performs an initial oral exam of your teeth, gums, jawbone, and mouth. They will look for signs of gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer, among other conditions. If the dentist diagnoses any problems, they will make the necessary treatment recommendations.
Although at-home brushing and flossing can remove some plaque and trapped food debris, only professional cleaning can thoroughly clean your teeth. Deposits such as tartar can only be removed with professional help. The dentist uses a series of metal hand tools or ultrasonic scalers to provide deep cleanings.
After cleaning, the teeth are flossed, rinsed, and polished to provide a brighter and healthier smile. If there are stubborn stains, the dentist might recommend professional teeth whitening. If necessary, fluoride treatment and dental sealants can be applied.
After cleaning the teeth, the dentist will perform a comprehensive examination of your mouth. This can include X-rays, oral cancer screening, and much more.
After the exam and cleaning, the dentist will discuss the findings and advise you accordingly. If necessary, they may schedule an additional appointment. The dentist will also guide you on proper dental care habits and hygiene practices to ensure excellent oral health.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Are you interested in getting a professional dental exam & cleaning? Contact Marshfield Dental Group today for an appointment.