How Does a Family Dentist Perform a Dental Exam?

A family dentist can help you maintain your healthy teeth and gums. Regular checkups enable the dentist to perform a thorough dental exam. This can help identify dental issues early. Here are the details on how a family dentist performs a dental exam.

Review of the patient’s dental health

Every dental exam will begin with a thorough evaluation of the patient’s dental health. This will include asking the patient about work schedules and diet, as well as allergies, and medications. A physical dental exam can help the family dentist spot the factors that affect the patient’s oral health. The dentist can then help the patient understand how to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Professional dental cleaning

A thorough dental cleaning helps the family dentist examine the patient’s mouth. Removing the tartar and plaque gives access to the different areas of the mouth. The dentist will check for swelling or sores between teeth and the surrounding soft tissues while cleaning the mouth. This careful examination can increase one’s awareness of the current oral health.

Oral cavity examination

The family dentist will continue the dental exam after the cleaning. This is when more probing will happen. The dentist’s experience and training will help spot any anomaly in the oral cavity. Loose teeth or early signs of gum disease are common issues that the dentist may discover.

Dental X-rays

Issues that come up will need further examination. The family dentist will order dental X-rays. These scans can present the current condition of the dental structures underneath the gumline. They can take a picture of the patient’s bite alignment or jawbone density. Dental X-rays can also help determine if there are signs of teeth grinding or even oral cancer.

The importance of dental health

Maintaining dental health is important for one’s general health. Studies show that bad bacteria in the mouth can seep into the bloodstream and cause more chaos in the body. Chronic illnesses or systemic infections may develop. Below are the reasons for getting regular dental exams from a family dentist:

• Getting good oral care advice from the dentist can help the patient achieve better dental health. Pointers on what floss or toothbrush to use can help improve the patient’s teeth and gums. These tips can also prevent serious oral issues.
• Managing current dental issues is also possible with regular dental checks from the family dentist.
• Catching oral problems early allows the family dentist to perform initial treatments right away.
• Maintaining a white smile is possible. The family dentist can do this by removing tartar and plaque.
• Preventing more serious dental issues is one of the goals of a regular dental exam. This can then prevent expensive dental treatments in the future.
• Updating one’s dental health record will not be a problem. The family dentist will always keep oral health records current. This can be handy if the patient goes through a health emergency.

Your family dentist can help maintain or even improve your oral health

Seeing a dental health professional for regular dental exams can help keep your oral health in top shape. Your dentist can assess the condition of your mouth. Any problem will receive proper treatment. Working with your family dentist can help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Each appointment can also enhance your oral and general health.

Request an appointment at Olive Family Dentistry or call (818) 846-2266 for an appointment in our Burbank office.

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