Dental Check-ups (Exams)
Preventive Dentistry
Your oral health is tied directly to your overall well-being, with links being found between many types of illnesses and the health of your mouth. For this, and other reasons, regular exams and cleanings are recommended by the American Dental Association to keep you healthy. Unless suggested otherwise by Dr. Sprang or Dr. Alex, you should have a routine cleaning and exam every six months.
Keeping Your Mouth Healthy
Oral problems aren’t always immediately evident, with many conditions being relatively painless up until the point where they become very serious. Regular dental exams are important to spot any potential issues before they can cause damage and when they are easiest to treat.
During your checkup, the dentist will be…
- Looking for signs of tooth decay
- Checking teeth for damage, such as chips, cracks, or signs of grinding
- Reviewing existing fillings and restorations for signs of damage
- Evaluating symptoms of gum disease
- Checking your bite and jaw function
Keeping Your Whole Body Healthy
While keeping your smile beautiful and your mouth healthy is important, there’s more to a dental checkup than just that. There are many other illnesses and disorders which display some of their first symptoms in the mouth—some of which are easiest to treat when detected early or may cause severe problems if left undetected for too long—making the dentist your first line of defense. Oral cancer is a chief concern, as it can have serious consequences while being treatable if diagnosed early.
Some other ailments that have symptoms that may be detected during a dental exam include:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Leukemia
- Pancreatic cancer
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- Crohn’s Disease
- Osteoporosis
- HIV
- Anemia
- Celiac Disease
Routine Exams at Mount Vernon Dental Involve:
- Going over any of your oral health concerns
- Inspecting your teeth for cavities or other damage
- An oral cancer screening
- Periodic X-rays to identify problems that can not be spotted with a visual exam
- Checking for any problems with your jaw joins
- A personalized treatment plan, just for your needs