6 Things Your Dentist Looks for During a Routine Exam

Routine dental cleanings and exams in Northridge, California, are vital for optimal oral health. Oral wellness visits prevent, detect, and treat oral issues early on, ensuring you maintain a healthy, confident smile. 

Are you due for your regular dental check-up? Schedule an appointment with Mid-Valley Dental Care. Drs. Terence, Casey, and Kayla Lau care about your smile, and it all starts with routine dental check-ups. 

Things a dentist checks during a routine exam

A regular dental check-up isn’t merely a cursory look at your teeth and gums—it’s a comprehensive screening that goes beyond the visible. Here are the areas we check during your routine dental exams. 

1. Tooth decay

The dentist inspects your teeth for signs of decay. We visually check for cavities in your teeth. However, dental X-rays, intraoral cameras, and intraoral scanners help us detect decay in hidden places. Early detection is essential, preventing the need for invasive and costly treatments. 

2. Gum disease

Your gums are the foundation of your oral health. We routinely inspect your gum and bone health during every dental check-up, checking for redness, swelling, and other early signs of gum disease. We can use a periodontal probe to measure the space between your teeth and gums. A depth greater than 3mm indicates the presence of inflammation.

Gum disease is a serious condition that requires early detection and treatment. If left untreated, it can lead to periodontal disease, which is treatable, but not reversible. It can also lead to bad breath, gum recession, and even tooth loss. Unfortunately, it often progresses without noticeable symptoms, making routine dental visits essential for prevention and timely care.

3. Oral cancer

The dental office may be the last place you’d expect to have a mouth cancer exam. However, we provide oral cancer screenings during your routine dental check-ups. Our dentists and hygienists examine the soft tissues of your mouth for irregular discoloration, bumps, lesions, etc., that may need further evaluation. Oral cancer screenings are quick and painless, but they can potentially save lives. 

4. Plaque and tartar 

Plaque or oral biofilm is a bacterial film that forms on your mouth when you fail to brush and floss your teeth properly. Dental plaque is removable with at-home oral hygiene, but it can calcify into tartar over time. Tartar (dental calculus) appears as a yellow, brown, or white deposit along the gumline or between teeth. Unlike plaque, tartar can only be removed by dental instruments. 

During your check-up, we’ll examine your teeth for dental calculus buildup and administer a thorough professional cleaning. For patients with a history of tooth decay or gum disease, professional cleanings are needed every six months or sooner. 

5. Occlusal analysis

We’ll check how your teeth meet (occlude) when you close your mouth and bite. We’ll also assess your teeth alignment, identifying issues like overcrowding, spacing, or irregularities. An optimal occlusion is essential for jaw function. Otherwise, it may cause jaw joint tension, resulting in headaches, jaw pain, tooth wear and other discomforts. 

6. X-rays for a deeper look

While the naked eye can catch several issues, X-rays provide a deeper perspective. The dentist may recommend dental X-rays to uncover impacted teeth, cysts, tumors, interdental decay, and other hidden problems. 

Schedule an appointment today!

From the basics of oral hygiene to advanced diagnostics with dental X-rays and scans, routine exams at Mid-Valley Dental are comprehensive. Your smile deserves the best care, so don’t wait for minor issues to advance. Call (818) 886-3500 and reserve your dental appointment today!

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