Getting a comprehensive dental exam should be a priority for both your oral health and your overall health. This is because a person’s oral health is closely linked to their overall health. Problems that can appear in the gums and teeth could signal a more serious condition, such as diabetes or heart disease.

By getting a comprehensive dental exam and keeping regular appointments for professional cleanings every six months, dentists may notice some changes which may affect the patient’s overall health.

The Importance of Regular Dental Exams

Individuals should understand that the importance of regular dental exams is more than just checking off a box—they are a proactive way to protect one’s health. Comprehensive dental exams include more than a professional teeth cleaning, they are also designed for early detection of conditions such as:

What to Expect During a Dental Exam

The first step in getting a comprehensive dental exam is to schedule the appointment. When calling a reputable Houston dentist, you may be questioned about the date of your last dentist appointment and whether there is a particular reason why you are choosing to schedule the appointment now. There are no wrong answers, but these questions help create a baseline to work from.

There may be other pre-examination procedures you will need to complete prior to your appointment. For example, the dentist may ask you to fill out some health intake forms online before the day of your visit. If you have been to another dentist before and are switching providers, they may also ask you if it is possible for you to retrieve your records and bring them with you.

After you arrive at the dentist’s office, the following procedures could be a part of your comprehensive dental exam (although they may not be in this exact order):

  1. Oral Health Assessment. Expect your appointment to start with an oral health assessment. This typically includes information intake about your current and past overall health, current and past dental health, and any dental issues you are experiencing now. This is the time to mention if you have any tooth sensitivities, aches or pains, or any other pressing concerns.
  2. Dental X-rays and Imaging. The next step is usually to get dental x-ray images of your mouth and teeth. This is key because the x-rays can reveal cavities, tooth decay behind cavities, changes in teeth positioning, and any bone loss in the jaw. In addition, it provides a comparison point to compare future dental x-rays against. Before an x-ray is taken, your neck and chest will be likely covered with a heavy apron designed to protect you from excess radiation. Then a special film will be placed in the mouth and kept still while the technician takes the x-rays. The process of getting dental x-rays normally takes five to ten minutes to complete.
  3. Palpation of the jaw. Palpation of the jaw joint will require the dentist to place their fingers in front of the ear. It could also be examined via placing a pinky inside the ears and asking the patient to open and close their mouth. Palpation of the neck area will complete the external exam. There, the dentist is looking for any enlarged lymph nodes, usually presenting as a lump.
  4. Gum Health Evaluation. Once the dentist has checked your teeth, they will likely evaluate the state of your gums including their color and depth. The gums will also be checked and measurements of the pockets around each tooth will be documented. This procedure is called perio charting. The numbers will be called out and recorded, with 1, 2 and 3 being normal, 4 and 5 likely present with irritation and bleeding, which could signal more serious issues with the gums. A number greater than 5 indicates bone loss.
  5. Oral Cancer Screening. During your comprehensive dental exam, the dentist will be doing visual checks for any abnormalities inside the mouth such as bumps, swelling, asymmetries, and more. In addition, they may also be checking to ensure there are no irregularities outside the oral cavity near the lips and jaw. The dentist should ask the patient to stick out their tongue so they can better examine it and the surrounding areas for possible signs of oral cancer.
  6. Finally, the dentist will examine the teeth. An evaluation of existing restorations, such as crowns, bridges, and missing teeth will be documented, as well as possible findings of decay, fractures or chipped teeth.
  7. Discussion of Findings and Treatment Recommendations. After the comprehensive dental exam is complete, the dentist should take a few minutes to discuss the findings and then make recommendations for the future. For example, if a cavity is found, you may be asked to make a follow up appointment for a filling. If your gums are slightly red and puffy, they may tell you how to up your game when it comes to good daily hygiene to protect against periodontal disease. Should the dentist see any concerning areas during the oral cancer screening, they may refer you to a specialist for further examination of suspect areas.

At the close of the appointment, the dentist will go over any necessary follow up care and maintenance tips such as future appointments or additional/modified hygiene practices. Most dental professionals recommend that people make a dentist appointment every six months for a professional cleaning and checkup, so you may be asked to go get your next appointment on the books before leaving the dentist’s office.

Benefits of Getting a Comprehensive Dental Exam

The biggest benefits of getting a comprehensive dental exam can be preventative care, early detection, and potential money savings.

During this type of exam, a dentist can go over preventative care such as proper dental hygiene. While brushing the teeth twice daily (in the morning and again before bed at night) and following it with flossing is critical. How a person executes these actions matters. The dentist can go over the best type of cleaning implement to use, how to use it properly (at a 45-degree angle), and how often to use it. The dentist will also share tips on flossing properly. When a patient follows these directions to the letter, they may have increased control over their dental health.

Early detection is also a benefit of comprehensive dental exams. People with a concerning condition that has previously gone unchecked can be identified and evaluated by the dentist. Whether it is cavities, gum disease, or cancer, catching these conditions early is integral to treating them and preventing them from becoming more serious.

Another benefit of comprehensive dental exams is money savings. The more a patient can do to prevent their dental health from deteriorating or requiring more serious procedures, the more money they may be able to save in the long run.

If you have not had a comprehensive dental exam in the last six months, do not underestimate its importance or benefits. Make your dental health a priority and make an appointment with your Houston dentist today.