Dental Exams
Spokane, WA
 Many people think they are going to the dentist’s office just to get their teeth cleaned and polished, but that’s not all we do. We are examining your teeth, as well. Dental cleanings are essential to your overall dental health, but so are dental exams. In fact, in the long run, dental exams may be just as important, if not more important, than teeth cleanings. Dental exams might save your life. Give Smile More Spokane Family Dentistry a second to talk to you about why dental exams are so important.
Why You Might Need a Dental Exam
There are reasons why dental exams are so important. Dental exams are done to look at both your overall health and your oral health. Did you know that we can tell a lot about your overall health just by looking into your mouth? It’s true. Symptoms can show in your mouth before trouble is seen elsewhere. For example, a yeast infection in the mouth may be a signal you have diabetes.
Thrush is a yeast infection that signals something in your body chemistry isn’t right, and that you have something going on in your body, such as diabetes. Another sign that you may have diabetes is if you have gum disease that gets worse very quickly. Other diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and acid reflux, also show up in your mouth before you are aware of the problem. Dental exams help diagnose illnesses that affect the overall wellness of the patient.
When we do a dental exam, we look for early signs of oral cancer in your mouth. It is important to know that if you used tobacco products, especially chewing tobacco, you are at a higher risk of oral cancer than the rest of the population. If we at Smile More Spokane Family Dentistry spot signs of oral cancer in your mouth, we can get your treatment early. This gives you a better chance of surviving oral cancer. More importantly, it gives you a better chance to save the structures in your mouth, such as your teeth, tongue, gums, and jaw.
Dental exams are also good for spotting areas in your mouth that need work. Maybe you need help reaching your back teeth. You might also need to dial back on your brushing in some areas because you are brushing too hard and wearing away the enamel. We also look for signs of gum disease, and if we get it treated as soon as possible, we can cure your gum disease.
What Happens During A Dental Exam?
When we do a dental exam, we are looking at all of the structures in your mouth. This includes your teeth, gums, tongue, palate, and jaw. We are looking for problems with your whole mouth, so we can advise you about your next steps if you need more treatment. We will also clean and polish your teeth, so they look their best. Our goal is to look for problems with your mouth and treat them early. We also want to give you tips on how to make sure you are doing everything you can for good oral health. Do you have questions about dental exams? Why not give Smile More Spokane Family Dentistry a call at (509) 505-6303. We can help you be on your way to a happier future. |
