A dental exam typically includes a thorough cleaning by a dental hygienist or dentist. They will remove any plaque and tartar deposits by scraping above and below the gum line and flossing your teeth.
What Does a full dental exam consist of?
A quick teeth check-up. Examine your gums, soft palette, throat and neck, checking for any abnormalities. Review any X-rays that may have been taken. Recommend any additional dental work you might need to maintain oral health.
Does a dental exam hurt?
It is natural to feel some anxiety about dental exams, especially if this is your first or you haven’t seen a dentist in some time. Dentists and other dental professionals use modern instruments and medications to keep discomfort to a minimum.
Does a dental check up include cleaning?
There are 2 parts to a regular dental visit – check up, or examination and the cleaning, or oral prophylaxis. At the dental check up your dental professional will check for cavities. X-rays might be taken to detect cavities between your teeth. The exam will also include a check for plaque and tartar on your teeth.
What does a dental check up look like?
A typical dental exam will include a cleaning by a hygienist, x-rays on certain visits, and a checkup of your mouth by the dentist. During a cleaning: You or your child will sit in a large chair. A bright overhead light will shine above you.
Why do dentist check your neck?
Your dentist will inspect your face, neck, lips, and mouth to look for signs of cancer. With both hands, he or she will feel the area under your jaw and the side of your neck, checking for lumps that may suggest cancer.
Do they weigh you at the dentist?
Clinical implications: Oral health care professionals can measure patients’ height and weight and calculate their body mass index and percent weight change in dental offices to detect patients with nonnormal body weight.
How long does a dental examination take?
How Long do Dental Exams Take? A typical dental exam and dental hygiene appointment can last around 45-60 minutes.
How do dentists check your gums?
Periodontal charting is the practice of using a periodontal probe to measure the distance between your gums and where they attach to your teeth. This area or space is often called a “pocket,” and the size of these pockets is an indicator of how healthy or unhealthy your gums and bone support are.
What is the difference between a dental exam and cleaning?
During a cleaning, your dentist or dental hygienist scrapes plaque and tartar from your teeth. In an exam, the dentist will carefully look at your teeth, mouth and throat to identify any problems, such as cavities, gum disease, loose fillings and oral cancer.
How often are dental exams?
How Often Should You Get Your Routine Dental Exams and Cleanings? Generally, for people with a healthy mouth, dental professionals agree that a checkup and cleaning should be conducted every six months. In some cases, more frequent cleanings are needed to help prevent or to manage periodontal disease.
Is decay a cavity?
No, tooth decay is not the same as a cavity. However, tooth decay can cause cavities. Tooth decay, or also referred to as dental caries, start as plaque, the sticky film that builds up on your teeth.