Your oral health is a significant part of your overall well-being. It is critical to stay updated on your oral health status to receive appropriate intervention for potential complications. A dental exam is an effective protocol your doctor implements to determine your oral health status and the need for intervention to address developing concerns. It is critical to schedule a Jasper Dental Exam with your primary care provider, who is privy to your medical history and thus understands potential predispositions to disease and will conduct the rightest to reveal underlying issues.

Who can perform your dental exam?

Only professional intervention is effective for a comprehensive dental exam. The appropriate clinicians to conduct this dental appointment include a dental hygienist or a dentist. A pediatric dentist has specialized training in handling kids’ dental concerns. These professionals have adequate knowledge and experience on potential dental concerns and can implement the right diagnostic protocols to reveal issues.

Your primary care provider will recommend a suitable dental professional for your checkup. Having a reliable team will lead to shared patient information and thus help the professional performing your dental checkup to recognize risk factors for disease and thus perform appropriate tests to reveal potential issues.

Why you need a dental exam

Your doctor will use the information you got from your dental exam to reveal developing tooth decay or gum disease. The significance of these checkups is to ensure early diagnosis of these dental issues. You will experience improved clinical efficiencies upon quickly recognizing underlying dental complications because you will reduce their progression into adverse stages, causing irreversible impacts like tooth loss.

When should you schedule your dental exam?

Your primary dental provider will insist you schedule routine dental checkups at least twice a year. However, it would be wise to schedule a dental exam if you notice symptoms like gum swelling, bleeding, loose teeth, or discoloration. An underlying dental issue like gum disease will also require additional follow-up exams. Your doctor will recommend these follow-up checkups to evaluate treatment efficacy or the need for alternative approaches to restoring oral health.

What happens during a dental exam?

Your dental exam will depend on your health status and your professional’s suspicion of underlying issues. The following are the typical procedures involved in a dental exam:

• Physical exam: Your dentist will look at your gums and teeth to physically assess their health. Assessing your bite may also determine your need for orthodontic care.
• Teeth cleaning: Your dental hygienist will professionally clean your teeth to ensure exam accuracy by removing any hindrances to a clear dental view. Tooth cleaning involves flossing and applying fluoride gel to your teeth to remove plaque and bacteria.
• Dental X-rays: These screenings can reveal tooth cavities or oral cancer. Your doctor will recommend the most appropriate dental x-ray for you, depending on the nature of your exam.

A dental exam can save your teeth from potential complications by helping your doctor make an early diagnosis and begin emergency treatment to prevent adversities. Contact Advanced Dental Care of East Texas to schedule your dental exam and stay updated with your oral health status for improved clinical efficiencies.