Dental Exams
San Antonio, TX
Even if you think your mouth is in good health, it is still recommended that you have routine dental exams every six months. However, if there’s nothing wrong, why is this necessary? Routine dental exams are an essential component of helping you to maintain good oral health. At Advanced Dental Associates, we offer the routine dental cleanings you need for keeping your mouth healthy.
What Happens During an Exam?
Routine dental exams are simple procedures. We start by updating your medical history. This is necessary because certain medical conditions can affect how we provide you with treatment, as well as what treatments you may need. If you have undergone any treatments, have developed any medical conditions, or are taking any new medications, it is important that we have this information.
After updating your records, your actual oral exam begins. We use a mirror to help take a closer look at your teeth and gums. We look over each tooth for any signs of decay, cavities, damage, mobility, and more. Your gums are checked for any signs of gum disease, such as swelling. Adult patients also receive an oral cancer screening. This is a quick examination of the soft tissues in your mouth, as well as a look at your face and neck for swelling, to detect any early warning signs of oral cancer.
Do I Need Dental X-Rays?
Dental X-rays may be taken during your dental exams, but they are not always necessary. Typically, they are taken about once a year and are done to check for any issues between your teeth or below the gum line. They may also be recommended if you have symptoms that you want to address during your exam.
What if it Has Been a Long Time Since My Last Appointment?
If it has been a long time since your last exam, or it is your first time in our office, you will have what is called a comprehensive exam. During this type of exam, we go over your medical history and your lifestyle habits. Dental X-rays are taken. Moreover, we closely examine your mouth. This examination includes an inspection of your bite and tooth alignment, a look at any dental restorations you might have, and an overall dental health assessment.
What if I Notice Symptoms Between My Regular Visits?
While the ADA recommends routine dental exams twice a year, you may still need additional exams between your regular ones. If you notice symptoms of an oral health issue, whether you have a toothache, you crack or chip a tooth; you notice your gums are bleeding, or you suspect you have a cavity, it is important to schedule an appointment right away. During your appointment, we will go over these symptoms and examine your mouth to the get to their root cause. This is called a limited exam. Once we determine the cause of your specific symptoms, we can then recommend treatment to put a stop to the issue and restore your oral health.
No matter how well you take care of your mouth, routine dental visits are an essential component of helping you to keep it healthy and prevent serious issues from developing. For more information, call Advanced Dental Associates at (210) 714-5589 today. |
