Dental Exams And Cleanings: A Crucial Part Of Preventive Dental Care
Dental regular exams and cleanings nearby are a crucial part of preventive dental care. During a dental exam near your dentist’s or dental hygienist’s, you will clean your teeth looking for cavities and perform a periodontal exam near you. Dental exams include evaluating your risks of developing oral issues and checking your face, mouth, and neck for abnormalities. Dentists take x-rays and conduct other diagnostic procedures during dental exams and cleanings.
Dentist Whitewater or a hygienist will discuss your oral hygiene habits and diet before demonstrating appropriate brushing and flossing techniques. Lifestyle factors that affect oral health besides cosmetic improvements to your teeth are also discussed.
Why Dental Exams and Cleanings Are Necessary?
Regular dental exams protect not just your oral health but also your overall health. For example, the signs and symptoms of systemic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and diabetes may show up in the mouth initially. If your dentist or hygienist notices indications of these issues, a referral to see your physician for further advice is provided. The exams and cleanings allow dentists near you to offer tips on caring for your teeth and detect oral health issues early when they are quickly treatable.
When to Undergo Dental Exams?
The ADA recommends undergoing dental exams as determined by your top dentist near me. Dental exams are essential even if you no longer have any natural teeth left in your mouth. They are crucial to maintaining your oral health for your replacement teeth.
What to Expect During Dental Exams and Cleanings?
During dental exams and cleanings, your dentist or hygienist will evaluate your overall health besides your oral hygiene and the risks of tooth decay, root decay, gum disease, bone disease, and the need for tooth restoration or replacement.
The hygienist will check your bite and jaw for problems and remove stains or plaque buildup on your teeth. The professional demonstrates proper brushing techniques for your natural teeth or dentures and assess your need for fluoride treatments. They may take x-rays if needed, and perform other diagnostic procedures.
During the exams, the dental professionals will inquire about your health issues and any medications you are taking to discuss how they may affect your oral health. For example, if you are affected by diabetes, you are at a higher risk of gum disease.
Some medications contribute to dry mouth to increase your risks of tooth decay. In such cases, your dentist may refer you to your physician to change the drug or the dosage you are having. If you have prosthetics like dentures or bridges, the dentist or hygienist will examine their fitting and discuss any adjustments required with you.
Oral Cancer Screenings
The dentist in Jamaica Plain, MA, also looks for signs of oral cancer in your mouth. The dental professional feels the area under your jaw, the sides of your neck, and the insides of your cheeks and lips besides examining the sides of your tongue and the roof and floor of your mouth looking for abnormalities or precancerous lesions.
Oral cancer screenings are part of preventive dental care aiming to detect oral cancer in the earliest stages when it can be treated successfully.
What Happens after Dental Exams and Cleanings?
Your dentist or hygienist discusses your oral health after dental exams, including your risks of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and other oral health issues. They recommend preventive measures you can adopt to improve and protect your oral health.
The dentist recommends a follow-up visit after looking at the results of your exam. If you are prone to tooth decay or gum disease or have other oral health issues, frequent checkups are recommended by the dental professional. Treatments are recommended to address any findings which are explained during the follow-up consultation. Sometimes medicines are provided from dental specialists’ work depending on how complicated the situation is by the dentist. Dentists have a dedicated team to provide preventive care, but complicated cases may require work from other dental professionals specializing in specific treatments like oral surgery or periodontal treatment.
Dentists aim to ensure you maintain excellent oral hygiene by brushing twice a day for two minutes each, flossing at least once, and visiting them for dental exams and cleanings every six months as a preventive measure. The frequency of the exams is increased if you are at a higher risk of dental infections because they can be detected quickly during the exams and treated successfully to leave you with excellent oral and overall health.