What To Expect On A Regular Dental Examination

Whenever we hear the word dentist, we start to think about drilling, pain, or other types of complex procedures. We only visit a dentist when some serious issues arise. But let me tell you guys, you can avoid these problems with a regular oral health care check-up. 

Yes, visiting the dentist will help you avoid invasive dental procedures 1at the early stages. Moreover, a regular check-up can detect other dental issues like gum disease, tooth decay, oral cancer, and cavities. Detecting these oral abnormalities2 early results in successful treatment and prevents you from wasting money. 

So, in this post, let’s explore what to expect on a routine dental examination and what kind of good dental habits you can adopt to maintain your oral health.

How often should we go for a dental check-up?

Well, it depends on your medical history and the condition of your oral health. Generally, it is recommended to visit a dentist every six months if you have a healthy mouth. 

And in the case of some high oral risk and other abnormalities like gum disease or tooth decay, visiting the dental clinic frequently is necessary. In short, a dentist will determine how often you should get dental check-ups based on the health of your teeth and gums and the potential risks you may face.

What can we expect from a regular dental examination?

A general dentist and a few dental assistances will supervise the oral examination. And you may need a dental hygienist in case of your teeth cleaning process. So, let’s take a quick look at the steps you can expect in a dental clinic,

Examine the medical history

You need to give all the details related to your medical history. It will include the questions like the types of medications you take, if you take any healing remedies, have allergies, and whether you smoke or drink. After this, the dentist will also ask you if you have experienced oral treatment and surgeries previously or not.  

Investigations

After getting all the information, the dentist will move to further steps. It involves a thorough investigation of your overall mouth. 

In this step, an X-ray will detect all your dental abnormalities, which the doctor can’t check with the naked eye. Although you must know, not all dental check-ups include this X-ray examination. And if you have any issues with radiation exposure, you should consult the dentist first.

Teeth cleaning 

This process involves removing the tartar that generally forms below the gum area and on the teeth. You will find many dentists using ultrasonic cleaning equipment 3for this purpose. 

After scraping away the tartar, the dentist will perform teeth polishing and sometimes a fluoride treatment.4 In order to maintain oral health for a long time, it is necessary to brush and floss effectively.

Oral cancer examination

Nowadays, incorporating oral cancer tests is a must in any dental check-up due to the growing concerns for oral cancer5. Oral cancer is a lethal disease and may cause a serious issue if you don’t detect it early. 

So, performing the screening helps treat it in its early stages. The dentist will check the soft tissue around your mouth and jaw area in this screening method. To know more about the procedure, you can visit this website. Modern dentists are highly efficient and experienced in detecting early symptoms of this disease. 

After going through all the steps like cleaning, oral cancer exam, and checking the other dental health issue dentist will treat the problems and discuss how to take care of your oral health. And in some cases, they also recommend visiting an expert when the condition is serious. 

Is there any risk with the dental exam?

Oral check-up comes with a little risk. And you may feel a slight pain during the cleaning process. But you don’t need to worry about this, as the experienced dentist will take care of the whole method. 

And the X-ray screening is also safe where the radiation is less. Although you should know an X-ray procedure is not recommended for pregnant women. And you should consult with your doctor before going through any kind of oral treatment. 

Having a routine dental examination and adopting effective dental habits may benefit you by keeping your mouth healthy. You can check out the following things to maintain your oral health,

  • Always brush your teeth two times a day for about two minutes using a soft-bristled brush.
  • Try to use fluoride-containing toothpaste. It will reduce the chances of decay and cavities.
  • Flossing is vital. And it helps to remove plaques that may lead to teeth and gum damage.
  • Try to maintain a healthy diet and avoid smoking and drinking.

Proofreaded by:

Dr. Foram Bhuta

Dentist (B.D.S)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-foram-bhuta-543b0a215
https://www.facebook.com/foram.p.bhuta/
  1. Minassian, Caroline, et al. “Invasive dental treatment and risk for vascular events: a self-controlled case series.” Annals of internal medicine 153.8 (2010): 499-506. ↩︎
  2. Gillenwater, Ann, Vali Papadimitrakopoulou, and Rebecca Richards-Kortum. “Oral premalignancy: new methods of detection and treatment.” Current oncology reports 8 (2006): 146-154. ↩︎
  3. Balamuth, Lewis. “Ultrasonics and dentistry.” Sound: Its uses and control 2.2 (1963): 15-19. ↩︎
  4. Gao, Sherry Shiqian, et al. “Caries remineralisation and arresting effect in children by professionally applied fluoride treatment–a systematic review.” BMC oral health 16.1 (2016): 1-9. ↩︎
  5. O’neill, V. J., and C. J. Twelves. “Oral cancer treatment: developments in chemotherapy and beyond.” British journal of cancer 87.9 (2002): 933-937. ↩︎

Last Updated on by ayeshayusuf

Authors

Icy Health Editorial Team
FORAM

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