Dental Checkup / Exam

What Is a Dental Checkup?

During a comprehensive dental check-up, our dentist closely examines your mouth, including your teeth, gums, and other oral tissues such as your tongue, the insides of your lips and cheeks, and your jaws.

The visit is generally quick, as no treatment is provided unless you are in pain or discomfort and have a dental emergency. It is designed to monitor your oral health, allowing any changes to be detected quickly.

Why Dental Exams Matter

There are many reasons why it’s important to schedule regular dental exams, including early detection of:

• Abnormal tooth wear and enamel erosion.
• Cavities
• Gum disease.
• Bite issues.
• Any abnormalities in the oral tissues.
• Failing dental restorations that need to be replaced.

Some of the benefits of scheduling regular dental exams include:

• Early detection helps prevent more costly, invasive treatments later.
• Monitoring any changes to oral health that may not require treatment yet.
• Protecting overall health.
• Monitoring the growth and development of children’s and teenagers’ teeth and jaws.

What Happens during a Dental Checkup?

1. Medical Health History Review

Before we begin examining your mouth, we will want to review your medical history. It’s important we know about any changes or new prescription medications, as well as any medical issues, as these could affect the treatment we prescribe. A review is essential to ensure we only prescribe safe and appropriate treatment, and we will liaise with other healthcare providers when necessary.

2. Digital X-Rays

Everyone needs digital X-rays periodically, and these allow us to closely assess your dental health and detect any changes since your last set. If you have any current dental problems, we would need to take digital X-rays of the affected area.

Modern digital dental X-rays are very safe and emit very low levels of radiation. You are protected with a heavy lead apron, and the benefits of digital X-rays far outweigh the minimal risk. It is much riskier not to have digital X-rays and to leave an undetected problem to progress.

If you have scheduled a dental cleaning at the same time, this may occur before your dental exam, and our hygienist can take the X-rays and have them ready for our dentist to review.

3. Oral Examination

During your oral examination, we carefully examine every part of your mouth. Below are some of the points we cover during your exam.

• Each tooth is assessed for any signs of cavities or soft spots.
• Teeth are checked for any signs of abnormal wear or tear that could indicate teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism).
• We check your gums for any early signs of gum disease and may complete a periodontal assessment where we take detailed measurements of your gum health.
• We will ask you to bite your teeth together to check that alignment and that your jaws move smoothly and comfortably.
• If necessary, we will take other digital scans or intraoral images inside your mouth. These can be useful when explaining any recommended treatments.
• Oral cancer screenings are completed as required and only take a few minutes.

4. Discussion and Treatment Recommendations

After completing our dental exam, our dentist will want to discuss their findings with you in detail. If we recommend any treatment, we will explain why it is necessary, how it will help protect or restore oral health, and provide a customized treatment plan.

Sometimes more than one option may be available, and if so, we will explain each fully, including the predicted costs. For example, if you need a filling, we can use different materials to restore a tooth. If you need a crown, different materials can be used to fabricate it.

We may use digital images on the treatment room screen to explain exactly what we mean, and, of course, we always welcome questions. We realize that sometimes there is a lot of information to take in, and we are always happy to explain something again until you fully understand the treatment recommended.

How Often Should I Have a Dental Checkup?

Most people benefit from regular dental checks every six months, which are adequate for closely monitoring dental health. However, if you have any health issues that could affect your oral health, or ongoing dental problems, we may suggest you come and see us more frequently.

During your first visit to Dental Pearl, we will provide a customized preventive dental care plan that outlines how frequently we recommend dental exams. The plan is based on our assessment of your dental and medical health and your risk of developing dental diseases.

We recommend you follow your preventive dental care plan closely because it is custom-designed to help reduce the risk of dental problems and ensure that any that develop are detected earlier.

The sooner we treat an issue, the more likely we are to save affected teeth and minimize damage to your oral health. Earlier treatments are faster to complete and more cost-effective. Most importantly, protecting and maintaining good oral health helps protect your overall health.

Patient Experience

Signs You Need a Dental Checkup Sooner

Generally, a six-monthly checkup detects dental problems at an early stage, but there may be occasions when someone will benefit from coming to see us sooner. Below are some of the signs that you may need to schedule a dental exam more urgently.

• Bleeding gums.
• Tooth pain and sensitivity.
• Facial swelling or discomfort.
• Mouth ulcers that are failing to heal.
• Changes to your bite.
• Persistent bad breath.
• An unpleasant taste.
• Damage to teeth or dental restorations.

If you are concerned you have an issue with your teeth or have noticed worrying symptoms, please get in touch with us. Our friendly dental team can discuss the issue over the phone and provide helpful advice, and we can schedule an appointment with our dentist at a convenient time.

If it has been a while since your last dental visit and you’re feeling a bit nervous, please don’t worry. We specialize in gentle care for anxious patients to ensure you feel relaxed and comfortable during your exam. Call our office at (305) 816-6620 or schedule an appointment online!

Frequently Asked Questions