What Does My Dentist Look For During an Examination?

You already know that regular dental examinations are crucial for maintaining oral health and your overall well-being. But you may not be aware what exactly a dentist does during a routine exam. When you visit Team DDS New Carlisle, Dr. Lytha Miller and her team conduct a comprehensive examination to ensure that your teeth, gums, and entire oral cavity are in optimal health. Here’s what we focus on during a routine dental check-up:

Comprehensive Oral Evaluation

• Tooth Health: We start by examining each tooth for decay, damage, or wear. This involves looking for cavities, cracks, and other issues that might require treatment such as fillings, crowns, or other restorative procedures.
• Gum Health: Healthy gums are essential for a healthy mouth. We check for signs of gum disease, such as redness, swelling, and pockets between the gums and teeth. Early detection of gum disease can prevent more serious health issues and tooth loss.
• Signs of Oral Cancer: During every exam, we conduct an oral cancer screening, checking your lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer. Early detection is vital for successful treatment.
• Jaw and Bite Evaluation: We assess how well your teeth fit together (your bite) and check for signs of problems with your jaw joint, such as TMJ disorder, which can cause pain or discomfort.
• Existing Restorations: If you have fillings, crowns, bridges, or other restorations, we’ll check the integrity and fit of these, ensuring they are still functioning properly and are not damaged.

Advanced Diagnostic Tools

At Team DDS New Carlisle, we use advanced diagnostic tools that aid in our evaluations:

• Digital X-rays: These provide a detailed view of your teeth and jawbone, helping detect problems that aren’t visible during a visual examination.
• Intraoral Cameras: This technology allows you to see what Dr. Miller sees. We use it to show you any issues in your mouth and to explain our recommendations.

Schedule Your Next Exam

Regular dental exams are essential because they help catch problems early, often before you notice any symptoms. This can save you time, discomfort, and money in the long run. After the examination, we provide personalized advice to help you maintain or improve your oral health. This might include recommendations on better brushing and flossing techniques, dietary suggestions, or products that could benefit your specific oral health needs.

If it’s time for your next dental checkup, please contact our New Carlisle, Ohio, office today at (937) 845-9422.