Getting regular dental examinations is a large component of preventative dentistry. A dental exam serves as an opportunity for a dentist to clean your teeth and look for dental problems like gum disease and tooth decay. This is also a time to examine the face, mouth and neck for abnormalities like oral cancer.
During a dental examination, you can learn important factors that affect overall health like good oral hygiene and eating the right foods.
Each visit to your dentist will be different, but most dental examinations contain these five key parts.
As was mentioned earlier, one of the treatments dentists perform during a routine examination is professional cleaning. This is done to remove tartar and plaque from the teeth. Tartar is calcified plaque that forms when plaque sits on teeth surfaces for prolonged periods. While plaque can be removed with brushing and flossing, tartar cannot. Over time, it will eventually give your teeth a yellow tint, and it also serves as a base for acid-producing bacteria.
During the cleaning, the dentist will use a metal tool to remove tartar from teeth surfaces. The dentist will floss the teeth and polish them after the cleaning. Regular teeth cleanings go a long way when it comes to keeping teeth looking their best and free of decay.
A visual inspection is another important part of a dental examination. During the procedure, the dentist will carefully examine the teeth, looking for signs of any dental issues. It is often much easier to treat dental issues during their early stages so the importance of early detection cannot be overstated. The dentist's findings often determine what other treatments you may need during the visit.
Oral cancer is a deadly disease that you can treat when detected during the early stages. Your dentist will likely be the first medical professional to see the sings of this cancer. The dentist will examine the neck, mouth and face to look for any irregularities.
The dentist will assess your fluoride needs during the examination. If your teeth are susceptible to tooth decay, you may receive a fluoride treatment. Fluoride protects teeth from decay for up to six months. The dentist may also recommend other preventative treatments like a fluoride varnish or a dental sealant.
The dentist will also look at your jaw and how your teeth align. X-rays may be done to get a better view of what is going on underneath the gums, or the dentist might make an impression of the teeth. The dentist will recommend appropriate solutions for any bite issues that are detected.
Seeing your dentist every six months is one of the most effective ways to ensure your teeth remain healthy. When was your last dental examination? Call our office to learn more about our dental services.
Request an appointment here: https://clarisseatakhaniandds.com or call Clarisse Atakhanian DDS Inc. at (818) 483-9071 for an appointment in our Glendale office.
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