Dentists do provide dental hygiene exams to check patient’s teeth and gums. During a dental exam, your dentist or dental hygienist will clean your teeth and check for any underlying tooth and gum diseases. Comprehensive dental exams include examining your entire face, neck, and mouth for signs of disease.
A dental oral exam may also include radiographs and other diagnostic procedures. These are some evaluations you are likely to go through when your dentist performs a comprehensive dental exam.
Face & Neck: The dentist will look for problems by feeling for any swelling or tenderness in your lymph nodes or glands in the neck area to check for infection or disease. The dentist may also examine the joint of your mouth, the bones, and how your upper and lower jaws close together.
Soft tissue: The tongue, roof of the mouth, and inside the lips and cheeks are the soft tissues of your mouth. The dentist will carefully examine them for any cuts, spots, lesions and swellings. If they find any of these abnormalities, this may indicate a possible oral health problem. Your dentist may even check your throat and tonsils.
Gum tissue: A red and puffy gum can often point to gum infection. Your dentist will look for signs of irritated, bleeding, red, or swollen gums. If any or all of the symptoms are present, you may need to go to a specialist.
Dental checkup: The dentist will probe your teeth with a dental instrument to look for cavities and problems that require restorations. In case you are missing your teeth, your dentist may suggest prosthetics. For crooked teeth, they may recommend braces.
X-rays: Your dentist may also suggest X-rays to look for signs of tooth decay, especially those that aren’t visible with naked eyes. Radiographs are also helpful for detecting underlying oral health problems.
Why Do You Need It?
Dental exams and professional cleanings help protect your overall health. Some diseases show oral symptoms first. A few examples of such conditions would be diabetes, oral cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. If the hygienist finds indications of such diseases, they can suggest a specialist. Regular dental exams also help keep your oral cavity healthy.
What Can You Expect From It?
Your dentist or hygienist will also inquire about other health problems or medications you take and discuss their effect on your oral health. For example, certain medications can cause dry mouth, which may increase the risk of tooth decay. Bone decay can also make teeth more fragile and susceptible to breakage. Therefore, your dentist will talk about everything related to your dental problem and offer you solutions and tips to keep your mouth healthy.
Dental Exams in NC
Why choose Icard & Strein Family Dentistry? Our comprehensive approach uses digital imaging, high-definition x-rays, and a diagnostic exam by one of our dentists. To know more about dental exams or our other services, you can book an appointment via our website or give us a call at 704
Our Harrisburg NC Dentist Office
To learn more about dental treatments from Icard & Strein Family Dentistry, or to schedule an appointment, call our Harrisburg, NC dental office today at 704.455.5003.
