Dental Exams Dental exams are the cornerstone of what is known as preventive dentistry. Alongside restorative dentistry, preventive dentistry is how we maintain the health of your smile for years to come. Neglecting regular exams means that we never have a chance to professionally evaluate how your teeth and gums are doing. Even if you are brushing consistently at home, there may be problems invisible to the naked or untrained eye. By giving us the chance to take a look, we can spot any signs of trouble early on. Riverstone Dental Group encourages all of our patients to receive routine dental exams. How Frequently Should You Have an Exam?At a minimum, you should be scheduling a dental exam every six months. This is what the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends for all patients, and we may suggest that you come in more frequently if we are working on eradicating tooth decay or gum disease, or other oral pathology. The ADA has found that six months is the timeframe in which to catch oral diseases and other issues before they actually become larger concerns. We know that finding time in your schedule can be difficult, but a half hour or less appointment twice a year is a lot easier than surgery to replace a lost tooth or eliminate severe periodontal disease. How to Prepare for Your Dental ExamYou should not have much, if any, preparation that you need to do before a dental exam. New patients should call our office ahead of time to make sure their dental records, including X-rays and orthodontic information, have been transferred to us so that we can discuss it with you. If this is going to be your first exam in a while, try not to be nervous. We know that is easier said than done, especially if you have fallen behind on your oral hygiene, but our chief goal is making this an easy, pleasant experience for you. We want the best for your oral health, which means making you comfortable enough that you look forward to visiting us because you know it is a chance to give your smile a health boost. What to Expect During Your Dental ExamYou can expect your exam to be pretty quick, often they can be done during a lunch break. At most, you may receive a mild sedative, such as laughing gas if you experience discomfort, so you will be able to drive yourself afterward. The exam will be visual, tactile, and high-tech, taking advantage of digital X-ray technology to give us a look at what is going on deep inside your mouth. When Was Your Last Dental Exam?If your last exam was six months ago or longer, then it is time for another one in order to keep your smile bright and brilliant. To schedule your next exam with Riverstone Dental Group, call (925) 414-9250 today! |
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