Dental Exam & Cleaning

Oral hygiene plays an important part in our body's overall health. Diseases of the mouth can not only cause pain, but also affect other areas of our bodies. Keeping our teeth and gums clean and cared for is important. This is why the American Dental Association recommends that children and adults visit the dentist twice a year, or every six months, for a cleaning and routine exam.

Function

• Dental tool kit

  The routine dental exam provides your dentist with an up-close look at your teeth, gums and mouth. He can check for any problems, such as cavities or abscesses. The cleaning portion of the examination allows the dental hygienist to thoroughly clean your teeth. This also prepares your mouth for the dentist to examine it.

Features

• Hygienist brushing teeth

  A general cleaning is completed by a certified dental hygienist. He uses an electric toothbrush and toothpaste to clean each tooth individually. After the patient rinses, the hygienist will floss between each tooth. Sometimes, especially when the patient is a young child, the hygienist will administer a fluoride treatment.

X-Rays

• Dentist examining x-rays

  Most dentists prefer to look at an X-ray image of the patient's teeth before examining them. X-rays allow the dentist to see any underlying problems that a manual examination may not uncover. The dental hygienist or dental assistant can administer an X-ray. Depending on the patient's dental insurance, an X-ray may only be given once a year. Other insurances may pay for X-rays with every visit.

Exam

• Dental exam

  After the cleaning and any X-rays are completed, the dentist examines the patient. The dentist uses tools such as a mirror and an explorer, or pick, to look at the teeth. By pressing on the teeth with the explorer, the dentist can find any soft spots that may be of concern. This part of the routine check-up typically takes less than five minutes unless a problem arises.

Considerations

• Root canal tools

  During the dental exam, the dentist may stumble upon a cavity or other problem. Depending on the severity of the situation, the dentist may choose to fix the problem right away or schedule another appointment for you. Typically, cavity filling or a root canal will require a second visit. A general dentist can fix many problems in the office; however there are a few situations that call for a specialist. If surgery is needed, perhaps on the jaw, the dentist can refer the patient to an oral surgeon. Additionally, if a peculiar problem arises your general dentist may refer you to another specialist such as a prosthodontist.