How Dental Exams Can Catch Possible Oral Risks

The importance of a dental exam often gets ignored. It can be easy to skip check-up appointments as life can get busy and most individuals think that at-home oral hygiene is enough to maintain healthy teeth and gums. However, this misconception is far from the truth. 

Dental exams give general dentists the opportunity to look at the teeth and gums, ensuring that they are in healthy condition. Careful steps will be taken to check each tooth and both sides of the gums. If there are any warning signs, then the appropriate measures can be taken to address them. Continue reading to learn more. 

Oral risks that can be caught during an exam

Below is a quick overview of how a dental exam can catch any oral health risks that may be existing. This information can be quite helpful to individuals who are unsure of what may come from an upcoming appointment.

Warning signs

When visiting a general dentist for an exam, there will be a few main warning signs that are checked for. The dentist will carefully examine all areas of the oral cavity using small dental tools. There is not any pain; however, it is a requirement to stay extremely still. Review some of the signs ahead of time as they may indicate whether or not treatment may be needed. 

• Bleeding gums
• Grooves in the teeth
• White or yellow patches on the tongue
• Dark marks in between the cusps of molar teeth
• Inflammation of the gums
• Difficulty flossing due to build-up in between the teeth
• Deep gum pockets

While there are a number of warning signs that may be indicated, the ones that are listed above are the most common. Inflammation, bleeding, and deep pockets may all relate to gum disease, which will require in-depth treatment to correct. In mild to moderate cases, a deep cleaning may be a solution. Grooves in the teeth, as well as any dark marks on the molars may indicate a tooth infection, which will likely lead to a cavity. If a cavity does appear, a filling, dental crown, or root canal may be needed to restore the tooth back to optimal condition. 

X-rays

Another part of undergoing a dental exam is getting x-rays. X-rays are images taken by a dentist to get a better look at the jawbone and roots of the teeth. Both components are not visible to the naked eye, which is why having x-rays taken is so important. X-rays may show different warning signs, such as build-up around the roots or movement in the jaw, both of which require the attention of a dentist. 

Get started with a dental exam

Undergoing a dental exam on a regular basis is important in order to maintain good oral health. To find out more about how oral health risks are addressed by a general dentist, reach out today. The dentist can answer questions and go over any existing concerns. Reach out today to learn more or to get scheduled for an appointment. 

Request an appointment here: https://robertperlerdds.com or call Robert F. Perler DDS, MS, FAGD at (914) 636-8082 for an appointment in our New Rochelle office.

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