Brushing and flossing your teeth every day are important actions that you can do to protect your teeth. However, it is also important that you visit your dentist at least twice each year for a preventative dental exam. This exam is an opportunity for the dental care team to check your teeth and mouth for signs of disease so that you can maintain a beautiful and healthy smile.

Reasons to Have a Preventative Exam

A preventative dental exam allows the hygienist and dentist to detect and treat tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems as early as possible. When dental problems are caught at an early stage, it is easier to treat them. Early treatment of dental problems is more successful than trying to treat an advanced case. Even if you no longer have your natural teeth, a preventative exam can detect oral cancer and other oral health problems.

What to Expect During a Dental Exam

During a dental exam, the dentist will look at all of your teeth and evaluate you for problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. The dentist will check your bite and see how your teeth fit together. If you have any dental restorations, such as fillings or crowns, their structural integrity will be examined. Your teeth will be cleaned and any surface stains will be removed. The dental care team will also show you how to care for your teeth at home.

Dental X-rays

About once per year, your dentist will take X-rays of your mouth. Dental X-rays allow the dentist to monitor your jaw bone and the interior parts of your teeth. The X-rays can show signs of decay and tooth movement.

Contact Portage Park Dental Associates today to schedule a preventative exam.