An official website of the United States government Official websites use. The gova.gov website is owned by an official government organization in the United States. Dental exams are important to protect your oral health. Oral health includes your teeth, gums, and all the muscles and bones that allow you to smile, talk, and chew.
Common oral health problems, such as tooth decay and gum disease (periodontal disease), can cause pain, infection, and tooth loss. Poor oral health can also affect your overall health. For example, tooth loss can lead to problems with diet and nutrition, which can lead to other health problems. You can help prevent oral health problems with regular visits to the dentist and good habits of brushing and flossing your teeth at home.
During a dental exam, you'll usually see both a dentist and a dental hygienist. A dentist is a doctor who is specially trained to care for your teeth and gums. A dental hygienist is a health professional trained to clean your teeth and teach you how to take good care of your teeth and gums.
Dentists
can treat people of all ages.There are also pediatric dentists who have received additional training in dental care for children. In a typical dental exam, a hygienist will clean your teeth. The dentist will then examine your mouth. At certain visits, you may have x-rays of your teeth before your dentist examines you.
Dental x-rays can show hidden cavities, gum disease, bone loss in the jaw, and other problems that can't be detected when looking at the mouth. Ask your dentist how often you need X-rays. Dental x-rays are safe for most people. The radiation dose on an X-ray is very low. However, X-rays are not recommended during pregnancy, unless it's an emergency.
Be sure to tell the dentist if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant. After the dental exam, the dentist will discuss any oral health problems you may have and your treatment options. For certain problems, all you need to do is improve your brushing and flossing habits. If you or your child has a cavity or a more serious problem, you may need to schedule another visit to the dentist to treat it. Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding the results.
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a healthcare provider if you have questions about your health. A visit to the general dentist allows the dentist and hygienist to look for signs of tooth decay. The hygienist will first take X-rays to detect cavities that will not be evident on a practical exam. Later, during the consultation, the dentist will use a dental probe to detect holes in the tooth.
If the dentist detects any cavities by performing any of these actions, there will be a discussion about how to treat the problems. The doctor will check how your teeth fit together when you bite and may take X-rays to show the size and shape of your jaw bones and the size and position of your permanent teeth before they even come out. Now that you've shared your health problems, they may start to work inside your mouth. The first thing they will do is clean your teeth thoroughly. They start by scraping the accumulated plaque and tartar that builds up above and below the gum line before flossing between and around each tooth to remove any plaque or food particles that have stuck.
The dentist will perform a dental exam to ensure that you are in good oral health. They look for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. This helps reduce many oral and general health risks by allowing the dentist to detect and treat any problems early. Dental cleanings are key to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. During a dental cleaning, a dentist or dental hygienist will remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar buildup from the surface of the teeth.
They may also perform other preventive services during the same visit, such as dental sealants and fluoride treatments. If your teeth and jaw don't fit together properly, or if there doesn't seem to be enough space for all of your permanent teeth to come out without clumping together, your dentist may recommend pre-orthodontic or orthodontic treatment. The dentist or dental hygienist will use instruments to remove any hardened plaque (called tartar). During the exam, the dentist will hold the tongue with gauze and then check it for signs or symptoms in the tongue and mouth.
If you're wondering if yours is the best or not, consider these 10 things that all good dentists do for their clients. Sometimes this involves scheduling another dental appointment for a procedure, while other times the dentist will advise you on what you can do at home to improve your oral health. During a routine checkup, a dental hygienist or dentist will examine your mouth and teeth and seek basic oral hygiene. The recommendation for most people is to visit the dentist for an exam and cleaning twice a year, but the dentist may recommend additional visits if you are prone to oral health problems, such as tooth decay or gum disease. Use Delta Dental's dentist search tool (also available on the Delta Dental mobile app) to locate network dentists near you.
Uninsured people believe that an affordable dentist is out of reach, but these regular dental visits are a must. For more detailed information about your actual dental care costs, consult your dentist or Delta Dental. In addition to routine dental cleanings, be sure to talk to your dentist if you have new or worrisome symptoms, such as toothache, bleeding gums, loose teeth, or other problems. The dental exam is different from the initial exam performed by your hygienist, since your hygienist performs it your dentist.
