Dental anxiety is really common because as soon as people start to hear about getting any tooth issues they immediately start thinking of the worst-case scenarios. Well, it is definite that it is difficult but if you know the full details of what exactly happened during a comprehensive dental exam it will not affect you that much.
Many people think that stepping into a dental office for any routine check-up means the dentist is going to check for cavities. Well, this is absolutely not true because when it comes to a comprehensive oral examination it is definitely a detailed evaluation of your oral health.
If you have ever been curious or if you have been in a situation where you want to get a dental check-up but did not know what happens during the dental exam, then we are here to guide you. Below we are going to talk about what happens when you’re sitting in a dental chair and how everything goes.
The Step-by-Step Breakdown: What a Dental Examination Includes
A dental examination is a systematic process and there are some important steps that are followed to ensure nothing is missed. Let’s get into the details and see what exactly happens.
1. Medical History Review
No matter if you’re going for a dental exam or you are visiting any other doctor, one of the first steps that happens before they really get to check you is getting your history. Before they actually look into your mouth and get the process started they check everything including asking you whether you have any medical history. For example, if you have ever been diagnosed with any cardiovascular disease or diabetes. They are going to impact your teeth and gums directly so it is important to ask these questions.
At the same time during the medical history, doctors are also going to ask you whether you have been on any sort of medication because they also impact the health of your teeth. There are some medicines that cause problems like dry mouth which can easily accelerate the decay of your teeth. This history helps him understand the whole situation better.
2. Dental X-Rays (Radiographs)
The next step is getting the X-ray done. When they visually inspect everything, they can only see what has happened on the surface. The X-ray, on the other hand, helps the dentist to look between your teeth and beneath the gum line. This is extremely important to do so that the doctor can get to see if there are any situations like bone loss, cyst tumors or impacted teeth.
If your doctor is not checking all these things and they are directly getting into treatment you should know it’s a red flag and you should not opt for them. Ask them to check everything in detail with an X-ray so there is a accurate diagnosis and treatment.
3. Visual & Diagnostic Exam
The next step is the visual and diagnostic examination where your doctor is going to use a small mirror and there is a specialized tool known as the explorer. Through these tools, the doctor is going to inspect every single surface or every single tooth because there are different things that they are checking.
During this inspection, they look for active tooth decay. They also assess the structural integrity of your existing dental work for example if you have gotten crowns or bridges. They will also assess for softened or weak spots in your enamel to see what they need to go ahead with.
4. Periodontal (Gum Disease) Evaluation
One thing that people have to understand is that gums from the foundation of any smile. The dentist is going to use a really small instrument which is known as the periodontic probe. Through this probe they are going to measure the pockets or if there are any spaces between the teeth and gums.
The dentist checks whether the spacing is between 1 and 3 millimeters, which is normal, or if it is deeper than that because if it is, it is going to indicate you have gum disease like periodontitis. This assessment is going to give them a detailed idea of what needs to be done.
5. Oral Cancer Screening
When we talk about the comprehensive oral examination we have to mention how oral cancer screening is one of the most complicated parts. Your dentist is going to feel everything including your throat, jaw and neck and look closely inside your lips, tongue, and cheeks, and also the roof of your mouth. They are basically looking for early signs of oral cancer for example if there are unusual white or red patches or if there are any lumps.
This is extremely crucial because they have to make the exact diagnosis. After all, even a small mistake can turn into a huge problem later on. So it is important to avoid getting into any situation by getting yourself checked early.
6. Occlusion & Jaw Joint Check
The last thing that the doctors are going to check is your bite also known as occlusion to make sure your upper teeth are meeting correctly. They are also going to assess your temporomandibular joint for any sort of popping or clicking. If there is any sort of tenderness or clicking it can show that teeth grinding or jaw alignment can be one of the major causes of your teeth issues.
Should We Get an Oral Examination
There are so many people who still think that getting an oral examination is only important when they are experiencing any sort of pain in their teeth or they have any actual tooth issue. This is absolutely not right because you should get your oral examination done at least once every six months because this is going to save you from so many problems. When you have healthy teeth and healthy gums it is going to save you from so many other serious problems that can become life-threatening otherwise.
You should not avoid oral examination just because it sounds scary because it will definitely help you have better health overall and you will thank your dentist later. So do not leave it for when things get really serious and get your examination done when everything apparently seems fine.
Bottom Line
We understand that dental examination is definitely scary but when you’re aware of what the processes are and how it all goes it can become a little less horrifying for you. You just have to find the right dentist because when you’re connecting with the right people it automatically makes things a lot easier.
So if you’re in search of a dental exam where you have to get a proper and comprehensive oral examination, you must get in touch with us at Montclair Dental Spa. We are going to provide you with thorough services so you are diagnosed well and satisfied after getting your treatment done.
FAQ’s
What is a dental examination?
A dental examination is just a checkup that is performed by a licensed dentist to check the health of your gums to your teeth and soft tissue that are present inside your mouth. It is a preventative measure in modern dentistry.
What is the main purpose of a dental examination?
The main purpose of getting a dental examination is actually prevention. When you get oral health issues and you get a dental exam done before they get severe you are actually saving yourself from getting invasive treatments that definitely sound terrifying.
What is the importance of a dental examination?
People have to understand that their oral health is definitely a gateway to their overall body health. If you do not treat the oral infections and gum disease diseases they are linked to broader systemic issues including stroke and heart diseases. When you get regular exams it is going to keep your smile and your body healthy.