Step by Step Procedure of Getting a Full Dental Examination

Visiting your dentist is essential even when you don’t have any oral problems. A dental exam procedure helps maintain your oral hygiene.

What is a Full Dental Examination?

A full dental exam is a checkup of the gums and teeth. Most adults and children should get dental exams twice a year. These exams are important in protecting your oral health. Oral health problems become serious and painful when left untreated. Full dental exams are performed by both a dental hygienist and a dentist. A dental exam allows your dentist to prevent problems with your gums and teeth. In addition, your dentist ensures they assess your overall dental health and hygiene by examining your whole mouth.

Why Dental Exam is Needed?

If one has bleeding, swollen gums or another gum disease, our dentist in 75024 may want to see them more often. Some adults who have gum disease are advised to visit the dentist three to four times a year. More frequent checkups and exams help prevent a serious gum disease known as periodontitis. Periodontitis leads to infections and tooth loss. Kids should have their first appointment within six months of getting their first tooth. Also, you can take them to the dentist by 12 months of age. After that, babies should have an exam as recommended by the pediatric dentist. Also, your kid may have frequent visits if their dentist finds an issue with tooth development or any other oral health problem.

The procedure for Full Dental Examination

A full dental exam includes the following:

During a Cleaning

• You or your kid sits on a large chair. There will be bright overhead lighting shining above you. The dentist will clean your teeth with small metal dental roots. They’ll scrape your teeth and remove tartar or plaque. Plaque is a sticky material that has bacteria and coats your teeth. If you get a plaque buildup, it turns into tartar. Tartar is a hard mineral deposit trapped on the teeth’ bottom.
• Your dentist will floss your teeth.
• They’ll brush your teeth using a special electric toothbrush.
• They may apply fluoride foam or gel to your teeth. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. Tooth decay leads to cavities. Fluoride treatments are given to kids more often than to adults.
• Your dentist or hygienist will give you tips on how to care for your teeth, including proper flossing and brushing techniques.

Dental x-rays help show gum disease, cavities, bone loss, and other problems one can’t see by looking at the mouth.

During an X-ray

• Place a lead apron which is a thick covering over your chest. You might get an additional covering for the neck to help protect your thyroid gland. This covering helps protect the rest of your body from radiation.
• They will have you bite down on a piece of plastic.
• The dentist will then place a scanner outside your mouth. They’ll take a picture while standing behind a protective shield.
• For some X-rays, you’ll have to repeat this process by biting down in different areas of your mouth as directed by your dentist.

There are several types of dental X-rays. For example, a full-mouth series type might be taken annually to check your oral health. Another type is called bitewing X-rays, which you can use more often for checking for cavities or other issues.

During the Dentist’s Checkup

• Check your X-rays if you’ve had any for tooth cavities or other problems
• Look at the gums and teeth to see if they are healthy.
• Check your bite like the way your bottom and top teeth fit properly. You’ll be referred to an orthodontist if there is a bite issue.
• Check for any signs of oral cancer. This will include feeling under your jaw and checking the insides of the lips. Also, it includes checking on the roof and floor of your mouth and the sides of your tongue.

In addition to the dental exams, a pediatric dentist will check to see if your kid’s teeth are developing normally.

Visit a Dentist Near You

If you’ve not been to the dentist’s office and looking to get a dental exam near Frisco, it’s the right time to plan for an appointment. Our dentist determines how often you’ll need to go back after the first time. Making an appointment for dental exams in Plano, TX, will be the first step toward a healthier smile.