Dental Exams
Lakewood, CA
 Most people you ask likely know what a dental cleaning is, but not nearly as many could tell you what dental exams are. Simply put, a dental exam is a checkup for your teeth and gums. This is an important part of maintaining your oral hygiene and putting it off too long can lead to problematic or painful issues. Here at Lakewood Dental Arts, we use these exams to help find & diagnose tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer and other dental issues before they become painful.
This also helps us teach our patients how to practice proper regular at-home oral habits for quality preventive dentistry.
When’s the best time to get a dental exam?
The average child or adult should have an exam every six months. Younger children should be seen for their first check-up within six months of their first tooth emerging (roughly 12 months old) unless our doctors recommend a different treatment plan. More frequent visits may be necessary if the patient displays symptoms such as swollen, bleeding gums (gingivitis), gum disease or issues with tooth development. Some adults who experience similar problems may schedule visits more frequently. These extra visits can also help prevent a more advanced stage of gum disease (periodontitis), which may lead to infection and losing teeth if not treated.
Who performs the dental exam?
This exam is normally carried out by a licensed dentist (doctor specifically trained to care for teeth and gums) and (healthcare professional trained to clean teeth and help educate patients on healthy dental habits) from our staff.
What will happen during a dental exam?
Our doctors will review your medical history with you and update it wherever necessary. This could include information related to heart issues, pregnancy, diabetes, medications, or any other factors that may affect your health.
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Oral cancer examination and screening.
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Evaluation of the gum tissue (Ex- Checking for bleeding, which is a sign of negligent flossing).
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Examination for any abnormalities in your bite, chewing, and swallowing patterns.
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X-rays of your teeth to search for signs of decay.
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Referral to specialists, if a specific treatment is required. |
What are the steps to a dental exam?
Our doctors will review your medical history with you and update it wherever necessary. This could include information related to heart issues, pregnancy, diabetes, medications, or any other factors that may affect your health.
The process of an exam is described in these following steps:
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X-rays, during certain visits. A thick covering known as a lead apron is placed over your neck, abdomen and chest. You may receive an added covering for your neck to protect your thyroid gland. This will protect your body from radiation. Dental x-rays typically have the patient bite down on a small piece of plastic before a scanner outside your mouth takes a picture. Some types of x-rays require repeating this process multiple times, biting down in different areas of the mouth as directed. It may be necessary to repeat this process in multiple areas for a thorough diagnosis.
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You will be asked to remove any dental appliances and in some cases, it may be necessary to remove earrings/piercings.
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Oral cancer examination and screening (under the jaw, on the sides of your tongue, the inside of your lips, and the roof of your mouth).
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Evaluation of the gum tissue (Ex- Checking for bleeding, which is a sign of negligent flossing).
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Examination for any abnormalities in your bite, chewing, and swallowing patterns.
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X-rays of your teeth to search for signs of decay.
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Referral to specialists, if a specific treatment is required. |
An additional checkup is often performed on kids to make sure their teeth are developing correctly.
Learn more about Pediatric Dentistry
What should I do to prepare for a dental exam?
Specific health conditions (heart issues, immune system disorders, recent surgery) may necessitate taking antibiotics prior to the exam. If you don’t know whether you require such antibiotics, please consult with us before seeking medication on your own that you may not need. Please bring an up to date list of all medications you are currently taking.
Parents should also be aware that some kids will experience anxiety and/or stress about visiting the dentist. Should that be the case with your child, please let us know ahead of time so we have the chance to make him/her as comfortable and at ease as possible during the procedure.
What are the risks to dental exams?
Dental exams almost never carry much risk. X-rays similarly carry little risk, as the radiation dosage is very low. Nonetheless, x-rays are not commonly recommended for pregnant women unless it’s an emergency. Please tell us right away if there is a possibility that you might be pregnant. |
