CHOOSE LEAL, SPANGLER & JOHNSON
Patients often schedule visits with their dentist to address pain, inflammation, soreness, and other issues. While dentists are able to address these ailments, they are symptoms of underlying conditions that have been left to worsen over time. If left long enough, serious dental procedures may be required to treat and reverse the damage caused (if possible).
Preventative dentistry services like dental cleanings and checkups allow dentists to stop dental issues from occurring in the first place. This leads to less pain, discomfort, and financial strain.
WHAT IS PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY?
Any procedure completed with the goal of preventing tooth decay, disease, or subsequent damage to the oral cavity is included in preventative dentistry. While most preventative treatments are better completed by a professional, there are additional steps you can take at home to decrease the onset of harmful dental problems.
Regardless of where the treatment is taking place, the most crucial step in preventative dentistry is consistency. Ensuring you are scheduling regular visits with your dentist and addressing your oral hygiene every day is a key factor in extending the longevity of your natural teeth.
ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL CLEANING
ORAL EXAMS
Aside from cleaning your teeth, your dentist will make a point of performing a comprehensive oral exam of the entire oral cavity, throat, and neck as a screening process for abnormalities leading to signs of a more severe diagnosis. Screening areas of focus during the exam will include:
ORAL CANCER
During the oral exam, your dentist will feel for lumps in the neck, throat, and jaw, as well as examine the inside of your cheek, gums, lips, tongue, and throat for oral cancer symptoms.
GUM DISEASE
To rule out gum disease, your dentist will evaluate the gums around your teeth and bone for any signs of disease or receding areas.
X-RAY EVALUATION
If your dentist performed X-rays during the visit, this will be the time to review the results with you regarding findings and diagnostics.
RESTORATION EXAMINATION
If you have received any restorative treatment, such as crowns, veneers, or fillings, your dentist will examine these to ensure they are holding up as expected.
TOOTH DECAY
Your dentist will explore further than the cleaning process in checking for signs of tooth decay and damage. This examination will include using instruments to test the structure of the teeth on the surface and between teeth.
X-RAY DIAGNOSTICS
Dental X-rays are an important aspect of preventative dentistry. By performing X-rays, your dentist can look for signs of:
- Tooth decay
- Bone loss
- Abnormalities preventing growth
- Harmful cysts or abscesses
- Tumors indicating oral cancer or benign growths
- Tooth shifting
- Tooth issues underneath the gums
X-ray scans can target specific areas of the mouth or include a panoramic image for a comprehensive look at the entirety of your mouth.
It’s important to keep in mind that, if left undetected, many oral health issues can cause severe oral health problems. This may include bone loss and the onset of more severe oral diseases.
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