Oral Examinations
Ideally, you should attend regular oral exams twice a year. This way, you give your dentist the opportunity to identify any oral health issues and make a plan to treat them before they become more serious.
During your exam, your dentist will take a close look at the health of your teeth, gums, jaw, and bite. Exams may also include dental X-rays, an oral cancer screening, and other diagnostic procedures.
Oral Cancer Screening
Your dentist will check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums during your exam for any signs of oral cancer which are difficult to detect with the naked eye.
It's important they check all of these areas, as oral cancer can affect any part of the mouth or surrounding tissues.
Oral Health Care at Home
Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, and floss at least once a day to keep your smile healthy between dental appointments.
Dental Hygiene Cleaning
At each dental exam, your dental hygienist will perform a deep cleaning of your teeth and gums. These cleanings are important to help to prevent and treat disease.
They will first use a scaler to remove any tartar and plaque build-up. Then, they will use a polisher and coarse toothpaste to remove any leftover stains or plaque, followed by a thorough flossing of your teeth and gums.
Fluoride Treatment
If you are at high risk for tooth decay, your dentist may also recommend a fluoride treatment to be completed after the cleaning. Fluoride is a natural mineral that can help to rebuild the minerals in your tooth enamel to prevent or reverse tooth decay.
