3 Components of a Routine Dental Exam
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Annual visits to the dentist can help keep your smile bright for many years. Not only does the dentist provide a thorough examination, but a cleaning is something that can remove stubborn plaque and bacterial deposits.
You may not necessarily believe that you have to visit the dentist regularly, but there are elements to an exam that make it imperative to go on a regular basis. Allowing your dental health to falter may cause a host of other health issues in other areas of the body. Since the mouth is the fastest way for germs to enter your body, keeping it in the best shape may aid in having a healthy body now, and for years to come. Here are some of the regular components of an annual dental exam.
- X-rays
The dentist can only see so much by peering into your open mouth. X-rays are usually performed once a year and provide valuable insight into what is happening below the enamel and the gum line. Cavities are holes caused by invading bacteria. This bacteria tends to find a safe spot to land, and porous teeth are the perfect host. Over time, the bacteria burrow into teeth causing holes. Eventually, these holes may extend down to the root. Cavities aren’t always painful, and many go undetected. However, if the invading bacteria gets down to the root, there is an increased chance of infection and pain.
- Cleaning
A thorough cleaning is performed at an annual dental checkup. This is usually done by a hygienist utilizing a variety of tools designed to remove even the most stubborn plaque from the surface of the teeth. The cleaning serves two purposes. First, it is meant to wipe away anything that may be actively eating away at your teeth, helping to prevent future cavities. It also allows the hygenist to report any visual findings of holes or cracks to the dentist upon completion.
- Visual Inspection of Teeth
Finally, the dentist will perform a visual inspection of your teeth and gums. This, combined with information from the x-ray, can help the dentist formulate a treatment plan if any issues present themselves. It also gives the dentist a chance to check on gum health. Gingivitis is a disease that causes gums to recede away from the teeth. This process is dangerous if left untreated, as it makes the gums disappear and causes tooth health to suffer.
Dentistry practices provide valuable health-related services. Instead of skipping this appointment, look forward to it, knowing it will lead to an improvement in your health. Contact a trusted dentist, like a Cary, NC dentist, to schedule a routine checkup today.
Thanks to Alliance Dentistry for their insight into the three main components of a dental exam.
