Dental Exam Twice-daily brushing and flossing are vital to maintaining a high level of health for the mouth and gums. Still, just as important are professional dental exams and cleanings. Regular dental appointments are the best way a patient can have early detection of any potentially damaging conditions or illnesses. Any strange tissue growths, sores, or discolored areas will be thoroughly examined and if need be, sent to a lab for further assessment. Some patients may be nervous about going to the dentist and while this is not uncommon, going to the dentist is an important appointment that should not be missed. In so many cases, diseases or disorders have a better chance of being eradicated when detected early. The only way this early detection can happen is by having a thorough assessment performed by our staff. This is true for cavities, oral cancer, periodontal disease, and tooth decay. The longer these conditions go untreated, the more procedures will be needed to properly treat them. Contact Brian K. Dennis, DDS so we can schedule an appointment for you. We can talk about the available treatments and do a quick, 15-minute assessment. Are Dental Exams Important?Concerns run high for a lot of people when it comes to the dentist. They are worried that they will experience pain while having their teeth cleaned. These cleanings are entirely painless. While there can be a bit of discomfort as the bacteria, plaque, and tartar is removed from the teeth below the gumline this is considerably less than the potentially painful procedures which might be warranted if left unchecked. Those who avoid professional cleanings and exams are simply setting themselves up for more invasive procedures later on as conditions worsen. With regular exams and cleanings, patients can avoid all of that by having their oral cavities regularly assessed. Details of a Dental ExamAn exam generally starts by discussing the patient's full medical history. Our staff will ask questions to assess any existing conditions and any medications that the patient is taking which might affect the type of treatment recommended. It is important for us to have a complete medical record for the patient. By gathering this information, we can know what conditions to look for in the oral cavity and what treatment to recommend. Once the historical information is collected, we will examine all areas of the head, neck, jaw, and mouth, looking for any limited range of motion, discolorations, ulcers, and odd tissue growths in and around the oral cavity. We will use x-rays to look at the bone structure to determine if any bone loss has occurred to the upper and lower jaw. After that, we will begin removing the bacteria, tartar, and plaque from both above and below the gumline. We will also screen the patient for oral cancer. This is a visual examination looking for specific tissues which might warrant further examination. Schedule Your Next Dental ExamPatients are welcome to call us at 505-292-1051 to find out more about dental examinations. We look forward to helping you with your dental health needs. Give us a call so we can answer your questions and get your next office visit scheduled. |
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