What Happens During a Dental Exam?
A dental exam or checkup gives your dentist an opportunity to check your ongoing oral health and any early signs of dental problems. Many people disregard the benefits of routine checkups, being misled by the thought that dental care is a luxury. Like any other medical exams, a dental examination is also a preventive measure that helps the patient stay healthy eventually.
Many reputable studies have shown that oral health and general health are related to each other. Gum disease has been connected to diabetes, tooth loss has been linked to pregnancy and stress may trigger many dental problems such as dry mouth and TMJ. A dental exam is critical for your oral and general health, and your dentist can perform this to help you prevent any dental health disasters as well as to maintain an admirable oral wellbeing for life.
What does your Dentist do during Dental Exam?
Even if you are doing well with your dental care at home, you are still required to visit your dentist regularly. How often you visit the dental practice may depend on your dentist’s recommendation and the condition of your mouth. Your dentist is going to check for problems that you may not observe or experience. A lot of oral health issues tend to be invisible or to cause no pain until the symptoms become serious. That includes cavities, periodontal disease, and oral cancer.
Your dental team is trained to detect dental these issues. Routine checkups for existing patients usually take not more than 30 minutes while the new clients would take around 45 minutes to 1 hour. Here are the things your dentist will look for throughout a dental exam:
- Early signs of dental caries
- Broken, decayed or missing teeth
- Health of your gums and any indication of gum problems
- Checking of previous dental works (root canals, dental filling, crowns)
- Suspicious cysts
- Indications of mouth or throat cancer
- Signs of bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Hints of inflammation or bleeding on your tongue or the upper and lower portion of your mouth
- General health of your jaws and inspection of signs of problems causing pain or tenderness
- The overall condition of bones in your face, jaw, and entire mouth
- A complete general history
Dentists often discuss to their patients what is going on during the exam and provide them a summary of findings. Be sure to ask if your dentist failed to do so. Patients are precious for doctors; thus you have the right to know, as you are a full partner in your own dental care.
Who Require Frequent Dental Visits?
Generally, seeing a dentist twice a year is recommended for most people. People who are at lower risk of dental problems can get away with fewer visits. Since they have good oral health, they are probably required to attend only once every 12-34 months. However, people who are at higher risk for dental diseases might need to have checkups more often, like every 3 to 4 months or even more. These high-risk patients include:
- Pregnant women
- Smokers
- Diabetics
- People with gum disease
- Someone who has weak immune response to bacterial infection
- A person who tend to get cavities or calculus
Topnotch Dental Exam in Bondi
Your trusted dentist in Bondi understands the importance of your oral and general wellbeing. Thus, we are here to offer you with a wide range of high-quality dental treatments to completely improve and uphold your oral health and dental care. We offer Active Maintenance Dental Program (six monthly dental check up, examination, scale and clean) in which we only require regular visits to examine your oral health condition, monitor the health of your gums, and professionally remove plaque build-up and bacteria. Our dentist and dental hygienist will work together to provide you with the best possible care.
Contact us today to claim your FREE Dental Consultation on dental checkup, smile make-over, and dental implants.
Call your Bondi dentist on (02) 9365 7187 or book your appointment online.
Visit us at 134 Curlewis St in Bondi Beach.