What's Included in an Oral Exam?
An oral exam may seem like a dentist just looks at your teeth quickly. In reality, your dentist does a lot more during an oral exam to protect your dental and overall health.
Check Overall Health
If you are seeing a new dentist, they will ask about your medical history. Inform them of any medical conditions you have, treatments, or medications you are taking. If you have visited your dentist before, they will ask if there have been any changes in your overall health or if you are taking any new medications.
Examine Teeth, Gums, and Jaw
Using a metal probe with an angled mirror, your dentist will look closely behind and between your teeth, checking for signs of cavities. They will examine your gums for indications of gum disease such as swelling, redness, or sores. They will also feel your jawbones as you bite down to check the alignment of your bite.
Check for Medical Conditions
During an oral exam, your dentist checks for signs of medical conditions, such as:
Mouth and throat cancer. Symptoms include ulcers, lesions, sores, blocked salivary glands, and unexplained bleeding.
Diabetes. Symptoms include gum infection, bad breath (halitosis), and bone loss.
X-rays
Your dentist will take X-rays of your mouth to reveal problems that cannot be seen with the naked eye, such as gum infection, and jaw and tooth root problems. X-rays can detect the early stages of these conditions when treatment is most effective.
Professional Cleaning
An oral exam also includes a professional teeth cleaning from your dentist. They will use a tool called a scaler to remove plaque and tartar deposits, and then polish your teeth using a spinning brush and polishing paste. This removes any leftover plaque and tartar and gives your teeth a smooth, shiny finish, which makes it harder for plaque to stick to your teeth between dental appointments.
If you have any questions about what is included in an oral exam, call Hale Family Dentistry; we will be happy to give you more information!