Routine dental exams are a necessary part of good oral health. During these exams, a dentist will carefully look at your teeth and gums to identify any symptoms of problems that need to be addressed. Even if you have a busy lifestyle or suffer from dental anxiety, it’s important not to delay regularly seeing a dentist for a cleaning and exam. Each visit to your dentist will be different, but most of them will contain these four core components.
1. Tooth Decay and Cavities
First and foremost, dentists are on the lookout for signs of tooth decay and cavities, inspecting each individual tooth for dark spots, discoloration, and any obvious holes in the surface.
It’s important to detect these problems as early as possible; it allows dentists to prescribe treatment to prevent disease and further damage, both of which are certain to happen if the condition is left untreated. Tooth decay will lead to worse problems, including infections, abscesses, and tooth loss.
2. Gum Disease
Periodontal disease is another common problem with oral health that dentists look for signs of during an exam. They’ll often conduct a standard visual inspection, checking the gums for any signs of redness, inflammation, swelling, or bleeding.
Dentists will also go a step further and measure the gum pocket around each tooth; the deeper this pocket, the more likely that gum disease is present and has progressed to a certain point. Like with tooth decay, earlier detection of gum disease prevents tooth loss and even bone damage.
3. Oral Cancer
Dentists will also conduct a careful examination for any signs of oral cancer during a routine check. In particular, they look for sores, lumps, or growths in the mouth, throat, or tongue, and some will also check the neck and jaw for any abnormalities or signs of swelling.
Again, early detection is key here, especially in the case of any cancer; starting treatment while a tumor is small gives you the best prognosis. If your dentist identifies a suspicious symptom, they can refer you to a specialist for further discussion.
4. Bite Inspection
In a more thorough dental examination, your dentist will also likely want to check your jaw and see how your teeth align. This can sometimes involve x-rays to get a better look at what’s happening beneath the gums, but it may also involve making an impression of your teeth. If anything seems amiss, the dentist will make a recommendation about how to resolve any bite problems.
Why Regular Dental Exams Matter
Dentists can keep oral disease from progressing and causing more severe damage, but they can only do that if they have the opportunity to inspect your gums and teeth. Likewise, oral cancer is a potentially life-threatening condition, and dentists can catch the signs early on through routine exams.
Seeing your dentist every six months is one of the best ways to make sure your teeth stay healthy, especially if they address each of the four main areas described above. If it’s been a while since your last examination, be sure to schedule a consultation as soon as possible.
