Oral Examinations
Regular oral exams should be scheduled at least twice a year. These exams give your dentist the opportunity to identify any oral health concerns and come up with a plan to treat them.
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
Oral cancer affects any part of the mouth or surrounding tissues. During your exam, your dentist will check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for signs of oral cancer which are difficult to detect with the naked eye.
Oral Health Care at Home
Ideally, you should be brushing your teeth twice a day fro two minutes each time and flossing your teeth at least once per day in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy between appointments.
Hygiene Cleaning
Before or after your exam, your dental hygienist will perform a deep cleaning of your teeth and gums to prevent and treat disease.
To begin, they will use a scaler to remove any tartar and plaque build-up. Next 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 or your child has a high risk of tooth decay, your dentist may also recommend a fluoride treatment. Fluoride is a natural mineral that can help to rebuild the minerals in your tooth enamel to prevent or reverse tooth decay.
