Oral Health Link to Whole Body Health: A Blog

Procedures during a Dental Exam

1 September 2015

Duane Kelly

Dental exams are a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle. While some people may see no need in visiting a dentist when they have no dental issues, this is essential in maintaining oral health. Dental issues do not just arise overnight. Regular visits to a dentist can help identify and correct minor dental problems before they become major complications. What happens during a dental check-up? The following are some of the common procedures you can expect when you visit your dentist for an exam.

TMJ examination

TMJ or the temporomandibular joint is the joint that guides your lower jaw when opening your mouth. During examination, the dentist will ask you to move your lower jaw from side to side and to open and close your mouth. Soreness or pain in the joint may indicate Bruxism; a condition where one grinds or clenches the teeth causing soreness to the lower jaw. The dentist also checks your lymph nodes and salivary glands for any swelling which could indicate infection or disease.

Soft tissue examination

Oral soft tissues include the tongue, the floor and roof of the mouth as well as the inside of the lips and cheeks. An abnormality in soft tissues of the mouth can indicate a dental disorder. During a dental exam, the doctor will examine these soft tissues for any spots, cuts, growths or other abnormalities.

Periodontal examination

This is a procedure that involves examination of the gums and the supporting structures of the teeth. The dentist will check your gums for any signs of swelling or redness. These procedures may indicate gum disease where gums are red or swollen. The dentist will also check the depth of the pockets between the teeth and gums for periodontal disease where pockets are usually deeper than required. In case of any abnormalities, the dentist will recommend a treatment plan or refer you to a specialist dealing with gum disease.

Teeth examination

Clinical examination of the teeth checks for any decay on the tooth surface and existence of cavities. This can be done through visual checks and use of dental equipment known as an explorer. If you have had cosmetic dentistry or other procedures done such as root canal, fillings, bridges or crowns, the dentist will check to ensure that they are whole and that surrounding teeth are healthy as well.

Another procedure carried out during teeth examination is occlusion. This is meant to examine your bite by determining how well your teeth fit together. The dentist may have you bite down on a special piece of paper or dental wax in order to examine how your teeth come together during a bite. Irregular bites can be fixed through dental procedures such as use of braces.

Regular dental exams are necessary to identify potential dental diseases and disorders before they blow up. In case of an abnormality, the dentist will recommend immediate treatment. The dentist will also give advice on how to maintain oral health and answer any oral health questions you may have.

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