To keep your teeth and gums healthy, routine dental checkups are essential. Of course, outside of the dentist office you should be brushing your teeth & using antiseptic mouthwash twice a day, as well as flossing & cleaning your tongue daily to minimize plaque and promote fresh breath.
Standard Dental Checkup Procedures
A dental checkup includes 5 parts. The duration and intensity of these steps vary depending on the individual and the state of their oral health.
Step 1: Visual Exam
Your Dentist first checks the lymph nodes of your head, jaw, and neck for flexibility, tenderness, and pain. Then your mouth, lips, gums, tongue, and mucous membranes are inspected for sores, growths, decay.
Step 2: Digital Diagnostics
If your Dentist decides that either digital x-rays or 3-D imaging are necessary, they will take place at this point. Digital x-rays provide instant results and can show problems that aren’t obvious during the visual exam. Three-dimensional imaging is used to determine the exact shape and position of teeth.
Step 3: Gingival Pocket Exam
Healthy gums are equally as important as healthy teeth. This exam is used to establish the existence or risk of gum disease in a patient. Your Dentist will use a special hand-held instrument that measures the depth of the pockets between your teeth and gums- the deeper the pocket, the greater risk you have for infection & tooth damage that leads to gum disease.