Dental
Brushing and flossing your teeth at home are key steps when it comes to keeping your smile looking its best, but so are biannual dental checkups. During these visits, your dentist or hygienist will clean your teeth and around your gum line to get rid of any plaque or tartar that’s built up since your last visit. There are also several other things they do to ensure that your oral health stays in good shape. Read on to learn about nine things your dentist does during dental checkups that you may not have known about.
#1: Oral Cancer Screening
This type of cancer forms in the oral cavity and can impact the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, or the roof or floor of one’s mouth. Your dentist looks for signs of oral cancer during your dental checkups by doing a thorough exam of your lips, head, neck, and mouth. By catching it early on, you’ll have a better chance of treating it.
#2: Salivary Gland Evaluation
The salivary glands are what make saliva. When one’s salivary glands aren’t functioning properly, this makes them more susceptible to cavities, bad breath, and infections. If your dentist identifies any abnormal mouth dryness during their exam, they’ll work with you to implement a treatment plan.
#3: Tongue Examination
During this examination, your dentist checks to make sure your tongue is an appropriate size and texture. This lets them determine if you have any vitamin deficiencies, infections, or other issues.
#4: Teeth Inspection
Your dentist uses a small mirror, a dental explorer, and other tools to examine your teeth. They will keep an eye out for cavities, enamel wear, and other dental problems.
#5: Bite Inspection
Having straight teeth helps prevent premature tooth wear and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues. It can also make for a proper bite and even help with spinal alignment. Your dentist may recommend orthodontic options like ClearCorrect to fix a misaligned bite and prevent these issues.
#6: Tonsil Examination
During your dental checkups, your dentist will also do a thorough inspection of your throat to look out for signs of swelling or infection. Inflamed or swollen tonsils may be a sign of tonsillitis, which can be caused by several health issues like measles.
#7: Oral Hygiene Analysis
Your dentist will ask you about your oral hygiene routine during your dental checkups, too. They will perform an examination to determine the state of your mouth. If improvements can be made, they’ll share tips on better brushing and flossing.
#8: Gum Examination
Gums that are bleeding, red, swollen, puffy, tender, or receding are common signs of periodontal disease. Large pockets where the gums and teeth meet are signs that the infection has become serious. Your dentist will keep a look out for these signs and administer prompt treatment if needed.
#9: TMJ Assessment
The TMJ is responsible for jaw movement, and issues with it can cause pain, discomfort, joint locking, and problems chewing. If you have TMJ issues, your dentist will work with you to treat them and prevent injury, arthritis, teeth grinding, and connective tissue diseases.
Your dentist is looking for a lot more than just clean teeth during your dental checkups. Make sure to attend biannual appointments to keep your mouth healthy and happy!
About the Practice
At Parks Family Dental, patient care and comfort are the top priorities. They treat Lincoln residents with exceptional preventive treatments like checkups and cleanings to identify and treat issues as quickly as possible. This will help you keep your smile looking lovely and functioning at its best. If you’re interested in setting up an appointment with Parks Family Dental or learning more about their services, visit their website or call their office at (402) 484-6042.