Dental Exams
in Brookline, MA
Comprehensive Dental Exams in Brookline, MA
Did you know that your oral health is tightly connected to the health of your body as a whole? This is why comprehensive dental exams are so important. A comprehensive dental exam involves a complete and thorough patient examination and is essential to good dental health and accurate diagnoses. It can result in the prevention and early detection of oral and other diseases. Here’s what to know about a comprehensive dental exam.
What is included in a comprehensive dental exam?
Besides brushing and flossing twice daily, routine dental cleanings and dental exams are the foundation of great oral care. During professional cleanings, built-up tartar and calculus is removed that simply can’t be reached or removed by brushing alone. Though it is one step in the process, a comprehensive dental exam includes much more than just a routine cleaning.
Dental History Discussion
First, your dentist will ask you about your dental and medical history, pre-existing conditions, concerns, and goals for your dental health. The amount of information you share relating to your mouth determines the helpfulness of this patient interview. Your dentist will take into account your current hygiene habits, diet, and risk factors to gain an overall assessment of your dental health.
Disease Examination
Next, your dentist conducts an extraoral examination of the head and neck and an intraoral examination of the oral soft tissues. This screening’s purpose is to detect early symptoms of diseases such as:
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ syndrome), which is pain and compromised movement of the jaw joint and surrounding muscles that can lead to discomfort.
- Gum disease, which is the greatest cause of tooth loss in adults. Catching tooth decay early can save your teeth and gums. Regular dental appointments help prevent this disease and assist you in managing any oral health issues you may be having.
- Oral cancer, which is a cancer that can develop in any part of the mouth. An oral cancer screening allows dentists to identify symptoms, such as sores that don’t heal, lumps or white and red patches on the insides of the mouth, and prescribe treatment.
Oral Examination and Dental Cleaning
During this portion of the process, your dentist scans your mouth for tooth decay, checks in on existing dental work, and evaluates your bite and jaw. They also use this time to check your mouth for cavities. If any watch spots are identified, they might suggest you do certain things, like flossing more often or using a specific type of mouthwash, to improve the health of your teeth in order to keep them looking and feeling good. In addition, you can also take this time to ask any questions you may have or request tips on how to prevent bad breath and eliminate disease-causing bacteria. Following this examination, your teeth are cleaned and stains are removed where needed.
Diagnostic Exams
Your routine hygiene appointments are usually scheduled for every 3-6 months. In addition to an oral cancer screening, gum disease and decay evaluation, and restorative evaluation, visits may also include Intraoral photographs, digital dental x-rays or treatments. These results and future procedures will then be discussed depending on your individual needs.
Schedule Your Dental Exam
Make sure your teeth remain healthy and pearly white by scheduling a comprehensive dental exam in Brookline, MA at Comfort Dental Care of Brookline. Our commitment to comfort and high-quality care is clear in the name. Save yourself the stress and request an appointment today.
Get on track and call us today for your dental cleaning & exam appointment! 617.738.1232