A dental exam is the first step in any general dentistry procedure. It is critical to your ongoing oral health. We examine your mouth for things that can potentially affect not only your oral health, but your overall health. The information we gather during a dental exam helps us better diagnose and treat any issues you may be experiencing in order to maintain excellent oral health.

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REGULAR DENTAL EXAMINATIONS CAN PREVENT FUTURE PROBLEMS

 

Regular dental exams and dental hygiene treatment is essential for optimizing and maintaining your overall health. Your regular dental visits help to:

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• Prevent dental disease by finding signs of disease early

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• Find damaged or missing teeth. Discuss treatment options for missing teeth for restoring their function (eating, speaking and looks)

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• Detect tooth decay (cavities) at its various stages and formulating a treatment plan that works for you and your budget. Untreated cavities can become bigger and cause pain and tooth loss

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• Assess the health of your gums, which is the foundation of your teeth, by checking periodontal pockets, inflammation, or other signs of gum disease (which can lead to tooth and bone loss). Early gum disease can be reversed. We will help you with a customized dental hygiene treatment and discuss home care plan that is specific to your individual needs​

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• Screen your mouth for oral cancer and other pathologies early by looking for signs such as white lesions or blocked salivary glands. Oral cancer, if detected early, is curable

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• Look for signs that you clench or grind your teeth (a treatable problem that can cause headache or sore jaw and can, if serious, lead to hearing loss and tooth loss), have tender jaw muscles, noisy jaw, pain when yawning or chewing, difficulty opening or closing your mouth, headaches, locked or stuck jaw and discuss treatment options

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• Deal with bad breath that won’t away

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• Remedy tooth erosion and tooth cracks

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• Keep your mouth healthy saving you time, money, pain and suffering

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• Maintain whiter teeth and fresher breath by removing stains, plaque and tartar from your teeth

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• Address your inquiries about cosmetic concerns and discuss treatment options according to your desires and wishes

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REGULAR VISITS TO DENTIST CAN PREVENT YOUR CHILD'S DENTAL PROBLEMS

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You can prevent your child’s dental problems by regularly taking your child to the dentist who will:

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• Check your child’s mouth for tooth and gum health, tooth alignment, tooth growth patterns, bite and whether your child’s teeth are being cleaned properly.

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• Treat tooth decay in baby teeth before it does damage (other than water, sugar is in almost everything that a baby drinks. These include baby formula and breast milk) such as pain, loss of teeth or loss of self-confidence. Furthermore, your child may not eat or sleep properly and miss days of school. Tooth decay may also lead to an abscess (a sac filled with pus) formation which can further lead to serious infections, if not treated in time.

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• Identify common signs of disordered breathing such as tongue positioning, mouth breathing and the shape of the mouth and face so that treatments can be started before any health problems arise. This may involve myofunctional trainer, controlling allergies and exercises to encourage nasal breathing, and working with your child’s pediatrician.

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• Check growth and development of teeth for children aged around 7 to ensure:

  • your child’s adult teeth are coming in properly,

  • your child’s back teeth are working together as they should be,

  • your child’s bite and teeth are normal.

 

• Recommend a schedule of visits for your child depending on your child’s eating habits, past treatment needs, water fluoridation in your area and how well your child’s teeth are cleaned.

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• Suggest appropriate treatment for bad bite, prevention of tooth decay and acid attacks using dental sealants and fluoride, and dental injuries using mouth guard.

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THE DENTAL EXAMINATION PROCESS AND WHAT TO EXPECT

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Your dental will include an examination of your teeth, gums and bones, health of your jaw joint, screening for oral cancer, and an evaluation of your smile from cosmetic perspective. In addition to the visual inspection of your mouth, the dental exam includes:

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• A complete review of your medical history

 

• An examination of your neck area

 

• Taking dental x-rays, if necessary

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