Why You Need A Dental Exam and What To Expect

IMPROVE YOUR ORAL HEALTH WITH AN ANNUAL DENTAL EXAM
One of the most crucial things you can do to keep your smile beautiful and healthy is get annual exams at your dentist in Cary, NC. If you haven’t had a dental exam or have not had one in a long time, you may not know what will happen. Modern dental methods and tools at DentalWorks – Cary Crossroads make dental exams faster and easier than ever. However, if you have anxiety or fear about visiting the dentist, we can help keep you relaxed during your appointment with sedation methods, like oral-conscious or nitrous oxide sedation. Read on to learn about the significance of dental exams and what you should expect during your appointment.

WHY DO I NEED TO GET A DENTAL EXAM?
You are using your mouth every day, and that means you ought to make sure that you take excellent care of it. It is not enough that you floss and brush your teeth twice a day because you are not able to identify or treat problems, like the early stages of gum disease or a cavity. An oral health exam will be able to help you identify the oral hygiene problems that you cannot see. If your Cary, NC dentist can identify the problem early, it might save you a lot of time, pain, and money.

IT’S BEEN A WHILE (OR FOREVER) SINCE I VISITED THE DENTIST
If this is your first dental exam at a practice, you will have to fill out some paperwork, which can include your previous dentists, any issues that you might have, and any medications you may be taking. Most dental practices in Cary, NC ask that you arrive 15 minutes early so you’re able to fill out paperwork and, if you are using dental insurance, give them your insurance info. If you would rather, most dentists now have their new patient paperwork on their website so you are able to fill it out before your appointment. Even if you do have your forms already filled out, you still ought to arrive early in case the practice has additional questions and so you can relax.

DEALING WITH DENTAL FEARS AND ANXIETIES
A lot of men and women avoid going to a dentist even for a regular dental exam because of anxiety and dental fears. This is normally caused by a previous bad experience at the dentist. If you need help overcoming anxiety or fears, DentalWorks – Cary Crossroads provides sedation dentistry. During regular exams and cleanings, we can help keep you calm and comfortable with either nitrous oxide gas or oral-conscious sedation medication. When you call our office in Cary, NC to make your appointment, let us know if you are interested in sedation dentistry so we can schedule a consultation with your dentist to determine if you are a good candidate and then review your options.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A DENTAL EXAM?

  • LISTENING TO YOUR CONCERNS
    Before your physical dental exam, your dentist will ask if you have any worries about your mouth. This could be something as small as mild pain when you chew or a sore in your mouth. This will help your dentist diagnose any oral health problems you might have.
  • DIGITAL X-RAYS
    One of the first things most dentists do with a new patient is get a set of digital x-rays. An overview of your teeth is normally taken once per year or more often if your dentist thinks you may have a problem. Digital x-rays can help your dentist diagnose problems like cavities, teeth that are impacted, and more. Every few years, your dentist will take a full series of digital x-rays that will include your gums and jaw. This comprehensive view can reveal issues with your jaw alignment and gum problems. During your exam, your dentist will refer to your digital x-rays and talk about any problems revealed by the images.
  • DENTAL CLEANING
    To better evaluate your dental health, your teeth will be professionally cleaned. A hygienist will carefully remove plaque and tartar buildup. When this is done, your enamel will be polished to remove stains. Now is a good time to ask for advice on proper brushing and flossing techniques to use between appointments. Tell someone if you have any sensitivity or pain during the cleaning as it may be a sign of gum disease or tooth decay.
  • SCREENING FOR ORAL CANCER
    More than 200,000 people get oral cancer every year, so it is important for everyone to be screened. An oral cancer screening usually only takes around five minutes, but it can help give you peace of mind or an early start on treatment. During the screening, your dentist will check your teeth, gums, and tongue for any unusual areas. After this, they will palpate your jaw and throat to check for any lumps.
  • SCREENING FOR PERIODONTAL DISEASE
    Throughout your cleaning and oral health exam, your dental team will assess the health of your gums. They will measure the depths of your gum pockets and also look at the condition of your gums to check for periodontal (gum) disease. If diagnosed early, the first stage of gum disease (gingivitis) can be addressed with a scaling and root planing treatment. However, if gingivitis turns into the next stage, periodontitis, you may require oral surgery. This is one of the many reasons why you should get regular dental exams, so you can avoid invasive and expensive procedures.
  • REVIEWING YOUR RESULTS
    Once your exam and cleaning are finished, your dentist will discuss your results. Hopefully, you will get a fantastic report and you can schedule your next visit. However, if your dentist finds a problem, like a cavity, gum disease, or oral cancer, they will discuss your treatment options. As soon as you and your dentist have selected a treatment plan, you can schedule your procedure.

COME IN FOR YOUR NEXT ORAL HEALTH EXAMINATION
Make sure your smile is healthy by scheduling regular dental exams by your dentist in Cary, NC. Going to your dentist at least once a year for an oral health exam can help you find and treat problems early so you avoid pain as well as invasive and expensive procedures. If you’re avoiding the dentist because of dental fears and anxieties, contact our office in Cary, NC and speak to our team. DentalWorks – Cary Crossroads offers different sedation methods to keep you calm and comfortable during your dental exam so you can get the attention you need.