Do I Really Need To Get An Annual Dental Examination? Yes!

YOU NEED TO GET A DENTAL EXAM EVERY YEAR
If you don’t have any pain in your mouth, it usually means no dental issues, right? Not necessarily. If you are just going to the dentist whenever you’ve got an issue, you are doing yourself a big disservice. A dental examination is an important part of proactive oral care plan. Yearly dental examinations by a dentist in Durham, NC are needed to find tiny problems before they turn into big problems and boost your dental health so that you are able to stay away from bigger troubles. At DentalWorks – Durham, our experienced team provides yearly dental examinations for infants, kids, teenagers, adults, and seniors for better oral health. Regardless of how old you are or if it’s been awhile since you went to the dentist, get a dental examination for everyone in your household at our office in Durham, NC.

YOUR CHILD’S FIRST DENTAL EXAM
It is never too soon to begin going to the dentist. Before your baby turns one, they ought to also have their very first trip to a dentist. In your child’s very first dental exam, the dentist will assess their gums and look at their teeth as they begin to erupt. Throughout a baby’s very first dental examination, your dentist may provide advice about boosting your child’s oral health, such as tips on how to brush their teeth, and answer common questions, such as bottle rot and thumb sucking. Though your infant’s very first dental exam should not take long, it is quite vital to their future wellbeing.

LAYING A FOUNDATION FOR GOOD ORAL HEALTH
When you have kids, it is essential to be certain they’re going to the dentist each year for an examination. This helps build good habits that can give them a life of good dental health. Throughout a kid’s yearly examination, the dentist will generally look for cavities and other issues. The dentist may check your kid’s brushing habits and might provide a few strategies to help develop their dental hygiene routine. Your dentist may also help you figure out if your child should go to an orthodontist for treatment.

DEALING WITH DENTOPHOBIA
Some people skip their yearly exam due to stress or even a fear of the dentist (dentophobia). At DentalWorks – Durham, we do our very best to listen to and relieve your fears so that you have a good appointment. Our staff will describe what’s going to happen before we start your dental health exam and offer you as many breaks as you want to feel safe. In addition, we offer you numerous kinds of sedation that might be used throughout your regular appointments to help you stay calm. For many patients, nitrous oxide gas (also called laughing gas) or an oral-conscious medicine (generally an anti-anxiety prescription medication, such as Valium or Halcion) may be taken to help keep you awake, but relaxed and calm throughout your visit. In the event that you or your kid want sedation dentistry, you’ll have a consultation with your dentist prior to your dental examination to ascertain whether sedation may be safely utilized, which is most suitable, what you need to expect during your appointment, and whether you’ll have the ability to drive after.

WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR ANNUAL EXAM
Typiclally, there are five parts to a standard dental exam — electronic x-rays, cavity checks, looking for gum disease, an oral cancer exam, plus a consultation. Based on your dental health, your examination might be brief or it might take somewhat longer.

  • CAVITY CHECK
    Throughout your exam, your team will look for cavities in your teeth. This might consist of utilizing an electronic cavity sensor or employing a manual instrument to search for weak sections of enamel. When the enamel is weak, but a cavity has not yet started, you might be able to avoid a full-blown cavity through a fluoride treatment as well as great oral care at home.
  • GETTING YOUR RESULTS
    Once your dental examination is done, your dentist will speak with you regarding any issues they discovered. If they do find issues, your dentist will talk about your treatment choices and create your customized plan. This is a great time to ask your dentist any questions that you might have or ask them to check out your flossing and brushing technique.
  • X-RAYS
    At the start of your yearly dental examination, a simple set of electronic x-rays will be needed so that your dentist can look for issues, such as impacted teeth, areas of decay, and dental abscesses. Every couple of years, your dental team might suggest a complete mouth set, which will include your gums, teeth, and jaw. These will help your dental team check for jaw damage, tumors, as well as other issues.
  • GUM DISEASE EXAM
    For gums that are inflamed or red, your dentist may measure your gum pockets. If they’re more than three millimeters, they might suggest a periodontal treatment to eliminate buildup and rejuvenate your gums.
  • ORAL CANCER EXAM
    A significant part of each dental examination is looking for signs of oral cancer. This begins with a visual check of your mouth as the dentist checks for areas of concern. Following this, the dentist will feel your throat and jaw to look for growths. If your dental practitioner discovers any early indicators of oral cancer, then they will recommend a specialist for a biopsy and therapy.

FIND ISSUES EARLY BY GETTING AN ANNUAL DENTAL EXAMINATION
Ensure you and your loved ones have healthy, beautiful smiles by getting yearly dental exams with a dentist in Durham, NC. Routine dental examinations check for oral health problems (for instance, gum disease and cavities) so you’re able to treat them before they turn into large, painful issues. At DentalWorks – Durham, we perform dental examinations for individuals of all ages. Our staff is skilled so you have a good experience, making is a lot easier to return each year. In case you’ve got fear or anxiety about going to the dentist, schedule a consultation to learn about sedation dentistry, which can help keep you relaxed and calm throughout your dental exam. DentalWorks – Durham hopes to see you along with your entire family soon for a dental exam!