How Dental Exams Can Catch Possible Oral Risks

Dental Exam Portland, OR

The importance of a dental exam often gets ignored. It can be easy to skip check-up appointments as life can get busy and most individuals think that at-home oral hygiene is enough to maintain healthy teeth and gums. However, this misconception is far from the truth. 

Dental exams give general dentists the opportunity to look at the teeth and gums, ensuring that they are in healthy condition. Careful steps will be taken to check each tooth and both sides of the gums. If there are any warning signs, then the appropriate measures can be taken to address them. Continue reading to learn more. 

Oral risks that can be caught during an exam

Below is a quick overview of how a dental exam can catch any oral health risks that may be existing. This information can be quite helpful to individuals who are unsure of what may come from an upcoming appointment.

Warning signs

When visiting a general dentist for an exam, there will be a few main warning signs that are checked for. The dentist will carefully examine all areas of the oral cavity using small dental tools. There is not any pain; however, it is a requirement to stay extremely still. Review some of the signs ahead of time as they may indicate whether or not treatment may be needed. 

  • Bleeding gums
  • Grooves in the teeth
  • White or yellow patches on the tongue
  • Dark marks in between the cusps of molar teeth
  • Inflammation of the gums
  • Difficulty flossing due to build-up in between the teeth
  • Deep gum pockets 

While there are a number of warning signs that may be indicated, the ones that are listed above are the most common. Inflammation, bleeding, and deep pockets may all relate to gum disease, which will require in-depth treatment to correct. In mild to moderate cases, a deep cleaning may be a solution. Grooves in the teeth, as well as any dark marks on the molars may indicate a tooth infection, which will likely lead to a cavity. If a cavity does appear, a filling, dental crown, or root canal may be needed to restore the tooth back to optimal condition. 

X-rays

Another part of undergoing a dental exam is getting x-rays. X-rays are images taken by a dentist to get a better look at the jawbone and roots of the teeth. Both components are not visible to the naked eye, which is why having x-rays taken is so important. X-rays may show different warning signs, such as build-up around the roots or movement in the jaw, both of which require the attention of a dentist. 

Get started with a dental exam

Undergoing a dental exam on a regular basis is important in order to maintain good oral health. To find out more about how oral health risks are addressed by a general dentist, reach out today. The dentist can answer questions and go over any existing concerns. Reach out today to learn more or to get scheduled for an appointment. 

Request an appointment here: https://www.cosmeticdentistoffice.com or call Rachel Cole DDS PC at (503) 248-1114 for an appointment in our Portland office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Exam in Portland, OR.

Recent Posts

Can A Dental Cleaning Prevent Gum Disease?

Wondering if a dental cleaning helps prevent gum disease? Preventive dentistry, including routine dental cleanings, is essential to having a healthy mouth because it helps patients avoid cavities, enamel wear, and gum disease. Therefore, regular dental cleanings are crucial to a dental patient's oral health.Signing up for a dental cleaning on a regular basis is…

What To Expect During A Dental Cleaning

A regular dental cleaning is vital for maintaining optimal oral health. While many people understand the importance of these appointments, the specifics of what happens during dental cleanings may remain a bit mysterious.In this review, we discuss the procedure of a typical dental cleaning, providing insight into the process and highlighting its significance in preventive…

How Often Should You Get A Dental Cleaning?

Regular dental cleaning maintains or improves your oral health. For example, dentists include routine deep cleaning in long-term treatment plans for patients who live with gum disease. Dental cleaning is also important for smokers who have otherwise healthy teeth. This piece goes over the routine for dental cleaning.Dental practices prefer to offer first-line treatment rather…

Four Benefits Of A Dental Cleaning

A dental cleaning is a simple and non-invasive dental procedure in which plaque and tartar accumulation is scaled away and the teeth and gum line are thoroughly cleaned and polished. There are several notable benefits of this preventive dental procedure that patients should understand. The benefits of dental cleaning include the ability to brighten and clean…

Recent Posts

The Benefits Of Dental Restoration For Your Oral Health

The Benefits Of Dental Restoration For Your Oral Health

When your mouth has been worn down due to years of wear and tear, dental restoration can help you get your smile back and improve your oral health. Even if we do not think about it, we rely on our teeth, tongue, gums, jaw, and throat for more than we realize, and keeping all these…

Top   Advantages Of Invisible Braces

Top 5 Advantages Of Invisible Braces

Are you thinking about getting invisible braces? Also known as clear aligners, many people are choosing this type of braces to straighten their teeth. The fact that there are many choices for straightening one’s teeth nowadays means that those living with crooked teeth have choices.It is now simply a matter of choosing which of the…