Scheduling a routine dental exam every six months can keep your teeth and gums free from dental issues. At Family Smile Dental, the professional dental team in the Sheepshead Bay and Midwood neighborhoods of Brooklyn, New York City, can catch oral health problems early for both children and adults. To book your dental exam, call the friendly office or use the online booking tool today.
What is a dental exam?
A dental exam ensures optimal oral health and a healthy smile. It can catch issues early on, including tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. Routine visits to Family Smile Dental can help detect any complications before they develop into more serious conditions.
Your dental exam also includes a professional teeth cleaning and an opportunity to ask questions or discuss your oral health concerns.
What can I expect at my dental exam?
The main components of your dental exam include:
Oral history review
Your oral history alerts your provider to past conditions to help identify current dental issues. Your dentist needs to know about all prescription medications, supplements, or vitamins you take.
In addition, let them know if you have chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or other concerns that could affect your oral health.
Digital X-rays
The advanced technology of digital X-rays allows your provider to detect any issues that aren’t visible to the naked eye. The machine captures detailed images of your jawbone, tooth roots, and alveolar bone to make diagnoses and provide the correct treatment, as needed.
Professional dental cleaning
Your provider removes plaque and tartar from your teeth with a special dental tool, keeping the surfaces of your teeth and beneath your gum line free from bacteria buildup. Then, they polish your teeth with a special toothpaste to remove any remaining debris.
To protect your tooth enamel from the acids produced by plaque, you may also need a fluoride treatment.
Can a dental exam screen for oral cancer?
Every dental exam includes a screening for oral cancer. Your provider checks for lumps, sores, discoloration, and oral and facial structure abnormalities to identify any warning signs. If you have any pre-cancerous lesions, they can be removed to prevent oral cancer.
How often should I schedule a dental exam?
You should have a dental exam every six months to remove any plaque or tartar from your teeth to avoid signs of decay and gum disease. However, if you’re pregnant, have diabetes, or other health conditions, you may need more frequent checkups.
When you visit Family Smile Dental, you can schedule your next visit before leaving. That way, you’re sure to not miss your next appointment.
To schedule your dental exam at the Family Smile Dental practice, call the practice nearest you or book your appointment online today.
