The dental exam is an integral part of one’s oral health care routine. Dental Exams can reveal problems that would otherwise increase in severity without you knowing. During a dental exam, your dentist at Collingwood Family Dental will use specific tools and an angled mirror to see behind your teeth, below your gum line, and in every area of your mouth. They work to detect problems such as the softening of tooth enamel, gum disease onset and a variety of other concerns.
Regular dental exams will help to prevent the development of serious oral health concerns, as your Collingwood dentist can detect and provide treatment much earlier with routine exams.
Dental Exam Checklist
Dental checkups are an important part of your overall health. At your checkup, your dentist will check your teeth, gums, and other areas of the mouth. During the appointment, you’ll have the chance to discuss your specific oral health concerns and ask questions. If you’re nervous about going to the dentist, you can ask about sedation dentistry to help alleviate the anxiety many people feel about their oral health. We prioritize patient comfort for each of our patients and try our best to provide the most enjoyable experience possible.
During your first visit to a dentist near you in Collingwood, you will fill out an intake form online and provide the front desk with all your current medications. You should also fill out a medical history questionnaire and inform the team staff of any recent medical changes.
Your trusted dentist at Collingwood Family Dental will check for signs of decay and weak enamel and fill cavities if necessary. X-rays are another vital part of your checkup, clearly showing the teeth and jaw bones and their roots below the gum line. X-rays allow your dentist to see any problems within your mouth and assign care accordingly. In addition to checking for decay and gum disease, a dentist will also look for any lesions or other signs of infection.
Comprehensive Dental Exams
A comprehensive dental exam consists of several components and gives the dentist a detailed overview of your oral health. It is a crucial first step in establishing an overall oral health goal and will help your dentist at Collingwood Family Dental find underlying conditions and treat them before they worsen. The Canadian Dental Association defines a comprehensive dental exam as an “in-depth analysis of all the tissues and structures of the mouth.”
The comprehensive dental exam evaluates your teeth, gums, and surrounding bones. It is recommended for infants over 1 year and every three years for adults. Comprehensive exams can also detect early signs of cancer of the mouth, as well as examine the condition of past dental work. This examination also serves as a baseline for your provider to make recommendations for future care.
The first part of the comprehensive exam involves taking photos and x-rays of the patient’s mouth and teeth to document their overall colour and shape. Your dentist at Collingwood Family Dental then carefully examines the patient’s mouth to check for indications of oral cancer and other dental problems. The gum and bone tissues around the teeth are also examined for defects or signs of gum disease.
Dental Exam Tips
There are a few tips to remember when undergoing a dental exam. The first step is to be prepared with any specific questions or concerns. Your trusted dentist at Collingwood Family Dental will clean your teeth and look for any irregularities. Then, we will spend some time discussing the findings with you and provide treatment options to address any outstanding issues.
Our goal is to help you optimize your oral health for a clean and beautiful smile! Call today at (705) 532-9930 to schedule an appointment or schedule an appointment online on our website at www.collingwoodfamilydental.ca!