DENTAL EXAMINATIONS
What is a dental examination?
The dental examination will identify how healthy your teeth and gums are and screen for oral cancer and any problem areas within your mouth. You and your dentist will then discuss the options that are available to you and decide which treatments are most suitable for your individual needs.
What will my dentist do?
Initially he will ask some questions which may include the following:
- Why you are here today.
- Problems you may have such as pain or sensitivity.
- Concerns about the appearance of your teeth and gums.
- Your general health and any medication - this can affect your dental care.
- Your diet - what you eat and drink can also affect your dental health.
- How you care for your teeth and gums.
- Your tobacco and alcohol use - these can be harmful to your mouth.
During your examination your dentist will:
- Feel under your jaw and check your face and neck to ensure that they are healthy.
- Look at places inside and around your mouth, which you may find hard to see. For example, your tongue, the roof of your mouth and the back of your throat. Your dentist may also look at the development of your jaws with a view to orthodontic treatment.
- Check that your teeth and gums are healthy and identify whether there are any signs of decay, damage or gum disease.
- Compare how healthy your teeth and gums are compared to your last visit if they may need more information from x-rays or plaster models which show how your teeth bite together.
- Ensure that you understand about any treatment you need, explaining your options and details of any costs involved.
Why are regular dental examinations important?
It is important for you to have regular dental examinations, so that your dentist can help you to maintain a healthy mouth and also check for any early signs of dental problems, such as decay or gum disease. They enable your dentist to correct problems before they become complicated and require extensive treatment. The dentist will explain the options for regular examinations and you can decide together which one is best for you.
