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What Goes Into Your Upcoming Oral Exam?

A young woman laying in the dentist’s chair and getting an oral exam

When looking to schedule a visit to one of the top dental practices in Mercer County, NJ, you’ll want to know exactly what to expect from an appointment. Most patients may have a rough idea of what kind of services they need, but anxiety about the dentist may get the better of them before they arrive. 

If you have a routine dental exam scheduled, you can expect to undergo a few commonplace tests and screenings so your dentist can get a full picture of your oral health. These components of a dental oral exam include:

Details Teeth Cleaning

While most people manage to brush their teeth twice a day and find time to floss, they still might not get everything caught between their teeth. Layers of plaque and tartar can also accumulate on your teeth and gums, which can’t be removed through daily brushing. That’s where a professional tooth cleaning can help restore your smile. 

Your dentist uses tools to scrape away the tartar from teeth, floss between them, and polish them to look their best. Getting teeth regularly cleaned can help prevent excessive plaque buildup that can make you self-conscious when smiling and pose a serious threat to the health of your teeth. 

Thorough Visual Inspection 

One of the best ways to know you have an issue with oral health is by getting someone with years of experience to take a closer look. During a routinely scheduled oral exam, your dentist will carefully inspect your teeth, looking for visual cues that you have a more serious underlying problem hiding in plain sight. 

During this portion of the examination, the dentist can get a clearer idea of what future dental procedures will be needed. 

Oral Cancer Screenings

It’s very important to have an oral cancer screening during a visit to your dentist. The earlier a diagnosis, the better chance someone has of fighting it. Dentists will check your face, neck, gums, the inner lining of cheeks, and more for signs of developing oral cancer. If discovered, the dentist should outline what steps are needed moving forward for treatment.

Fluoride Treatments

Tooth decay is one of the most common problems found during a dental examination. Constant exposure to sugary food and acidic liquids can weaken tooth enamel. This will lead to more cavities forming, and the potential for tooth loss. Fluoride offers protection from tooth decay and can be found in toothpaste or applied during your dental visit. 

If your dentist determines you need additional fluoride, they can perform a fluoride treatment in Mercer County, NJ, to help boost your teeth’s protection. These procedures can help protect against tooth decay for up to six months. Additionally, your dentist may recommend a preventative treatment like fluoride varnishes or dental sealants for additional precautions. 

Inspecting Your Bite

An area that people may take for granted in regards to their dental health is their bite. How your teeth align can have ripple effects on speaking and eating. The best way to tell if your teeth are out of alignment is by having a bite test performed. 

Dentists take a look at your jaw to see how everything looks on the surface. Additionally, they utilize an x-ray machine to get a better view of what’s happening underneath your gums or take an impression of your teeth. With this information in hand, they can make the best recommendations for dealing with any potential bite issues they discover. 

Schedule Your Next Oral Exam With Hamilton Dental!

Now that you know what goes into your upcoming oral exam, you want to schedule it with a team you can trust to make you feel as comfortable as possible. Our dental care professionals will answer questions, help ease any anxieties you may have, and have you ready for your oral exam before the dentist walks into the room. Contact our team to schedule your next oral exam today!