What a General Dentist Looks for in Your Dental Exam

It is common for people to be nervous about their upcoming dental exam with a general dentist. Rest easy because there is no reason to be anxious about checkups like these. However, seeing a dentist twice a year is very important to your oral and overall health and safety.

The important of regular dental exams

Dentists do much more than just look inside your mouth and clean your teeth for you. The goal of a general dentist is to evaluate your oral health and make sure you’re not at risk for any major dental issues. To take away any apprehension you might be feeling because of the unknown of what to expect, here are a few things your dentist will look for at your bi-annual exam. 

Oral cancer screening

One of the main jobs of the dentist is to make sure the patient is not at risk for mouth or gum cancer. This is especially important if they have a history of smoking or tobacco use. When it comes to preventative oral health care, the dentist is the patient's first and best line of defense. 

The process of checking for cancer will also include inspection of the patient's neck, lymph nodes, jaw area, inside their cheek, and under their tongue. Cancer is a disease that often gets overlooked by those who do not know the signs and symptoms. Making sure the patient has the support of a thorough dentist could save not only their teeth but also their life.

Inspect the shape and structure of your teeth

Tooth inspection is the main task of a dentist, and your exam will undoubtedly contain plenty of this. A dentist will make sure that you don’t need braces or to have teeth removed to ensure the health and straightness of the rest of the crew. A dentist may also take x-rays of your mouth and teeth to ensure a proper job is done. This is typically done at least once a year. 

Check for cavities and crown moldings.

If you love sugar and don’t brush your teeth as often or as thoroughly as you should, there’s a good chance that you have a cavity or two. A dentist will check for and fill any cavities that you have. Additionally, if you have crown moldings, your dentist will inspect them to ensure they’re intact. 

Instruct you as to proper tooth-cleaning techniques

A big part of what a dentist does is make sure that you are up to date on the proper ways to clean and maintain your teeth. If you need a refresher course on brushing and flossing, your dentist will be more than happy to help you. 

Evaluate your overall oral health

Finally, your dentist will evaluate the overall health of your teeth, gums, lymph nodes, neckline, tongue, and cheeks. Ensuring that nothing serious is going on and that you aren’t suffering from gum or mouth disease is extremely vital to your long-term health and wellness. 

Call us to schedule your next exam

Hopefully, this article has given you a better idea of what to expect on your next trip to a general dentist. Dentists are here to help us live healthier and better lives, and taking care of our mouth and teeth is a huge part of that. If you want to make sure that you’re living your best life, then don’t put off going to the dentist a second longer. 

Request an appointment here: https://brookemcloningerdds.com or call Brooke M. Cloninger, D.D.S. at (509) 319-2152 for an appointment in our Spokane office.