Exams
Raleigh, NC
 A dental exam is a necessary checkup on your teeth and gums to help detect any potential issues. Most adults and children get an exam done every six months to ensure optimal oral health. Without a dental exam, oral health problems can be painful and can lead to serious issues. If your teeth are in pain or you feel chronic pain in your gums, a dental exam from us here at Stansell Dentistry Associates will help you identify and fix any persisting issues.
What Is a Dental Exam?
A dental exam is performed by either our dental hygienist or dentist. If you are getting a routine cleaning, a dental hygienist often does the dental exam. If you are visiting for other issues, a dentist will perform the exam. While dentists can perform an exam on people of all ages, most children visit a pediatric dentist since they have specialized training in children’s dental health.
A dental exam requires a manual inspection of your teeth to identify any issues and may be followed up with an x-ray. The x-ray will help get a deeper look into your teeth and gums that would otherwise be unseen by a manual exam. Spotting oral health problems is necessary to prevent any significant issues from occurring, such as spreading bacterial infections, spotting tooth decay, and gum disease. They are used to also help educate patients on the best way to care for their gums, teeth, and general oral health.
Why Would I Need a Dental Exam?
Adults and children are suggested to see a dentist every six months to ensure optimal oral health. However, some adults may see the dentist as often as three to four times a year depending on their oral health. If you have gingivitis, which is bleeding or swelling in the gums, or other gum-related issues, your dentist may recommend additional check ups throughout the year to prevent serious issues in the future. One of the leading diseases associated with gums is periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss or infection that can spread throughout your entire body without proper care.
Babies are recommended to see a dentist within six months of getting their first tooth. If your child has not gotten their first tooth within the first year, it is recommended to start visiting around this time to ensure there are no issues with their teeth or gums. Like adults, children are then recommended to see a dentist every six months for a checkup and dental exam. Children experiencing issues with tooth development or other dental health issues may be recommended to see a dentist more often to prevent any serious issues. Dentistry for Kids is absolutely crucial for the development of their overall oral health.
What Is the Process of a Dental Exam?
Unless you are going in for an emergency dental exam from a serious injury, you will most likely get a dental exam at the same time as your professional cleaning. You will be greeted by one of our dental hygienists once you are placed inside an exam room. The dental hygienist will manually inspect your teeth with a small mirror to check for any cavities, gum disease, plaque, and tartar buildup. Once a year, or every other dental exam, a dental hygienist will also take an x-ray of your teeth to see your teeth below the gumline. We will then do a deep cleaning of your teeth and gum to remove all plaque and bacteria and manually brush and floss your teeth with special equipment and toothpaste. Afterward, fluoride is applied to your teeth to help prevent cavities from occurring and you will be given tips on how to care for your teeth post-cleaning. You may then be visited by a dentist to address any possible concerns with your teeth and gums.
Getting a dental exam every six-months, minimally, is recommended to keep you on top of your dental health. If you are looking to book a dental exam and cleaning, contact us here at Stansell Dentistry Associates at 984-477-0177 to schedule an appointment. |
