Oral Examinations
Regular oral exams, ideally twice a year, give your dentist a chance to identify any oral health concerns and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
During your exam, your dentist will thoroughly inspect the health of your teeth, gums, jaw, and bite. Exams may also include dental X-rays, an oral cancer screening and other diagnostic procedures.
Dental exams not only help maintain your dental health, but they also give you an opportunity to talk to your dentist about how you can care for your smile.
Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer can affect any part of the mouth as well as the surrounding tissues. During your screening, your dentist will check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs and symptoms of cancer.
A dental exam that includes an oral cancer screening may help find a premalignant lesion before it becomes malignant, or a malignant lesion before it is able to spread.
These screenings take just a few minutes, and the sooner a problem is detected, the faster your dentist can begin treatment.
At-Home Oral Health Care
Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, and floss at least once a day to maintain a healthy smile between dental appointments.
Hygiene Cleaning
Before or after your exam, your dental hygienist will perform a deep cleaning of your teeth and gums to prevent and treat disease.
First, they will use a scaler to remove any tartar and plaque build-up. Next, they will use a polisher and coarse toothpaste to remove any stains or leftover plaque, then proceed with a thorough flossing of your teeth and gums.
After your cleaning, you should be left with a brighter smile, and your mouth should feel nice and refreshed.
Fluoride Treatment
At Main Street Dental, we may recommend fluoride treatment if a patient has a high risk of tooth decay. Fluoride is a natural mineral that can help rebuild the minerals in your tooth enamel to prevent or reverse tooth decay.
Fluoride treatments provide significantly more fluoride than what you will find in your water or toothpaste, and the process only takes a few minutes. Fluoride can also assist kids in growing strong, long-lasting teeth.
