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A Complete Dental Exam
When you visit your dentist for your regularly-scheduled checkup, you will be given a thorough exam of the teeth, gums, and mouth. All of the items listed below are included in a comprehensive checkup:
X-Ray review: You will have x-rays of your mouth taken when you arrive. Examination of these x-rays can reveal hidden or erupting issues like bone loss, cysts and tumors, and decay. X-rays also pinpoint the location of each tooth and root.
Oral Exam: Your dentist will thoroughly inspect the inside of your mouth, gums, throat, lips, tongue, and immediate exterior skin surfaces for indications of oral cancer.
Examine the Gums: Periodontal disease is very serious and can lead to further medical conditions down the road. The dentist will carefully inspect the area around your gum line and bones for any signs of this disease so it can be treated early.
Tooth Decay: The dentist will check your teeth for signs of decay or cavities using instruments designed specifically for such work.
Check Old Repairs: The dentist will closely inspect teeth that have been repaired in the past, looking for issues like further decay, loose fillings, improperly fitting crown, and irritation in the mouth caused by a misaligned dental implant.
Professional Dental Cleaning
Dental Prophylaxis is the medical term for cleaning your teeth. When you visit the dentist's office, these cleanings are most-often performed by a dental hygienist, registered and trained to perform such procedures. Your visit to have your teeth cleaned will include the things listed below:
Tartar Removal: Tartar, also called calculus in the dental realm, is plaque that was left behind from improper brushing and flossing and has now turned into a hard scale stuck to the tooth's surface. Tartar forms primarily around the gum line, above and below, and must be scraped off using a special tool.
Plaque Removal: The film that forms on your teeth and gets left behind after brushing is called plaque. Plaque is a combination of bacteria, food particles, and saliva. Because the bacteria are active, they release toxins which affect the gums and make them red and sore. Left untouched, the irritation to the gums will turn into periodontal disease, a serious condition.
Polishing: Polishing teeth is a mild way to remove plaque and discoloration from the teeth not otherwise removed during the other two stages.
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