What is a Dental Examination?
A dental examination is a thorough evaluation of your oral health, typically performed by a dentist or dental hygienist. During an exam, your dentist will check your teeth, gums, and mouth for any signs of issues such as cavities, gum disease, or other oral health problems. X-rays may also be taken to get a closer look at areas that are not visible during a visual inspection.
What Happens During a Dental Examination?
A typical dental examination involves several key steps:
- Visual Inspection: Your dentist will carefully examine your teeth and gums, looking for signs of decay, gum disease, and other issues. They’ll also check your bite and jaw alignment.
- X-Rays: Dental X-rays are often taken to detect problems that aren’t visible during the visual inspection, such as cavities between teeth, impacted teeth, or issues with the jawbone.
- Gum Health Assessment: Your dentist will measure the depth of the pockets around your teeth to check for signs of gum disease.
- Oral Cancer Screening: During the exam, your dentist may also look for any unusual sores or growths in your mouth that could indicate oral cancer.
- Discussion: After the examination, your dentist will discuss their findings with you, explain any potential issues, and recommend a treatment plan if necessary.
Types of Dental Examinations
The general recommendation is to have a dental examination every six months. However, depending on your oral health and risk factors, your dentist may suggest more frequent visits.
Older adults may require more frequent exams to monitor age-related dental issues, such as gum disease or tooth wear.
A standard dental examination for adults to check for cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues.
A dental X-ray taken during the examination to get a detailed view of the teeth and surrounding structures.