Dental Exam Colorado Springs CODentists always advocate for proper dental hygiene at home. These habits include regular tooth brushing twice daily, flossing at least once a day, and eating healthy foods. However, even with the best oral hygiene routines, it is normal for people to develop oral problems. This is where visiting a dental clinic becomes vital. When you come to Home for regular exams, you will be able to keep common and serious dental health issues at bay. Dental exams entail our dentists analyzing the state of your gums and teeth to determine whether treatment is required. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), you should have at least two dental exams per year. However, if you are undergoing any restorative or cosmetic treatments such as dental implants or Invisalign, you will need more exams for effective monitoring of your dental condition. Prevention of Dental ProblemsRegular dental exams are an important measure in preventing common dental issues. If our dentist sees any likelihood of developing oral problems, they will put in preventive measures to ensure that you can enjoy prime oral wellness. Our dentist can assess your gums and teeth and determine if you are at risk of developing tooth decay. We would then start preventive measures such as fluoride treatment. This will strengthen your enamel making your teeth robust against erosion. If you fail to have regular dental exams, the decay can progress and develop into a tooth cavity. It is therefore paramount that you visit our dental facility for regular dental exams to prevent oral health conditions that can inhibit your optimal overall wellness. Periodontal MaintenancePeriodontitis is caused by the formation of plaque on the teeth. Over time, the plaque hardens and turns into calculus (tartar) that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing. Bacteria that live within the plaque and calculus infect the gums. At this point, the disease is termed gingivitis, which means infection of the gums. However, if the plaque and calculus remain on a susceptible individual’s teeth, the disease progresses and becomes periodontitis - which means infection around the tooth. Gum disease is a serious, progressive, oral health issue. Periodontal maintenance and treatment aims to stop the progression of gum disease and help your gums, and jawbone, to heal. Treatment varies depending upon the severity. For earlier stages, a scaling and root planing, or periodontal maintenance are enough. A scaling and root planing is the most common procedure we perform to help combat gum disease. During the procedure, Andrew Miller, DDS or our dental hygienist will use an ultrasonic scaler to thoroughly clean the surfaces of your teeth. If the scaling and root planing is a success, your gums will return to a healthy, pink state. For more advanced gum disease, surgical treatments, such as pocket reduction surgery, may be required. Periodontitis, or gum disease, is a larger problem than many people recognize. About half of adults suffer from some level of gum disease, and though they see the symptoms, they have become so common that they don’t recognize them to be a warning sign. The warning signs include any amount of bleeding when flossing or brushing, irritated gums displaying as red or puffy, or you may even have a sour taste in your mouth or bad breath. Oral Cancer ScreeningDuring your dental exam, the dentist will also do an oral cancer screening. We want to have a clear image of your mouth and keep it healthy. With the current rise of cancer issues, the dentist needs to be careful to keep you safe from oral cancer cells. This is done by early detection of cancer before it becomes something more serious. The signs that can indicate to dentists during an examination that you might have oral cancer include white or red patches in your oral cavity. You may also have spots in your mouth that bleed often and show no sign of healing. You can also have a hard spot or a lump in your mouth. This is usually one of the major symptoms of oral cancer. Several factors can put you at an increased risk of developing oral cancer. Age is one of the risk factors. People that are over 40 years old are at increased risk of developing the condition. Heavy smokers and people that consume alcohol increase their chances of developing oral cancer. Research has shown that smoking and alcohol are one of the major reasons people develop other types of cancer as well. Therefore, these habits put people at a serious health risk. Gender is also another risk factor. It has been determined by several research studies that men are more likely than women to suffer from oral cancer. Prolonged sun exposure has also been seen to increase the chances of getting mouth cancer. Eating unhealthy meals can also increase the chances of developing mouth or oral cancer. Devising Personalized Treatment PlansIf you have underlying dental issues, dental exams will be important in creating a customized treatment plan for you. It is important to determine the exact cause of your dental condition, to determine the best treatment solution that will help you return to your best possible oral health. This is only possible with an oral examination. Specialized and modern dental technology are used to determine what is ailing you. Dental x-rays are a major component during dental exams. Images can show cracked teeth, inflamed jaws, or damaged gums. With this information, our dentists will start a treatment plan specially designed to address the specific problem. Dental exams offer an opportunity to have your teeth and gums cleaned preventing plaque, cavities, and gum disease. A dental checkup also helps maintain excellent oral and overall health. At SmileCOS Dentistry, we are not only after repairing your teeth. We have professional dentists who will examine and evaluate your teeth. They will check the gums and teeth and look for any abnormalities that are unnoticed and could lead to serious health issues later on. What Is a Dental Exam?Dental exams refer to a thorough examination of the gums, teeth, and mouth to detect minor problems that are not treated and will become significant issues. The dental examination also helps detect dental problems that will appear in the future. What Is The Composition Of The Dental Exam?Dental exams comprise regular cleaning of the teeth by dental hygienists. Our dentist will always screen for tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and other underlying dental conditions. The dentist will also discuss lifestyle factors that can affect your dental health. Dental x-rays will be taken to help evaluate areas that are not visible to the naked eye. The dentist will screen for tooth decay, periodontal disease, bone loss, and other oral health issues. These issues can sometimes fail to show symptoms or signs like pain despite being present. How Often Should I Get a Dental Checkup?Despite having healthy teeth and gums, you are encouraged to book a dental exam at least once yearly. However, the dental checkup frequency can differ depending on your needs. Our dentists always recommend frequent dental checkups when you have a continual dental problem. For example, if you have an underlying gum disease history, you will tend to respond better to dental care when you visit our dental experts every three to four months. How Much is a New Patient Dental Exam?As a new patient, your first dental exam will be more than just screening the teeth with x-rays. It will be a thorough examination with a skilled dentist. We have a New Patient Special for $99 that includes the following. Teeth CleaningWe will clean your teeth and remove plaque and tartar piling up to ensure you have bright and shining teeth and a healthy smile. ExamAn experienced dentist will carry out an extensive dental exam of your gums and teeth. The dentist will, after that, go over the findings with you before coming up with a treatment plan. X-RaysThe use of digital x-rays enables us to get crisp images with less radiation compared to traditional x-rays. This makes it possible for us to develop a well-detailed picture of your dental health. How Long Does a Dental Exam Take?Most dental exam appointments will last for 45 to 60 minutes. However, dental exams and teeth cleaning for kids are always shorter. The age, dental health, and frequency of entailed examination of the patient can impact the appointment duration. Our dentist will always review flossing and brushing techniques to ensure your teeth have the best care possible. Finding the Right Practice for Your Dental ExamYou must look for a dental clinic that offers top-quality dental exam services. This will be important as you want to find dental professionals that can detect problems early enough for effective treatment. A good practice should have modern equipment and dental technology that can diagnose even minor dental issues. The dental practice should also have skilled professionals and staff, with the required experience to perform effective dental exams. At our Colorado Springs SmileCOS Dentistry clinic, we have experienced dentists that use safe and modern techniques to perform dental exams. You can call us at to consult with an expert and also to book an appointment. We have a dedicated team that focuses on your optimal oral wellness. |
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