First and foremost, your dental provider is legally required by the State to utilize dental x-rays to conduct a proper dental examination. Although there are flexible requirements, there is also an ethical component to your dentists desire to take x-rays an appropriate intervals. They are the sole individual responsible for your dental health.

Dental exams are vital in identifying oral pathology such as dental decay (cavities), gum disease, and oral cancer. It also serves as a tool to screen for TMJ (jaw joint) issues along with airway concerns. If a patient does present with any condition requiring treatment or is just in need of a good dental cleaning, they should never have to worry about feeling judged or embarrassed. We guide our patients through these situations every day. Our goal is to return and/or keep patients at optimal oral health.

During your exam, your dentist performs an extraoral and intraoral cancer screening. More often than not, no sign of cancer is detected at your dental checkups. That being said, if your dentist does find something they are concerned about it is best to have it checked out as early as possible. With any cancer, early detection is key to having the best prognosis you can. It is important to note that not all cancers are visible in your mouth. This is where the x-rays become important. Different types of x-rays may be recommended at different intervals depending on the type of image being taken, and your individual risk factors.

The second part of the dental exam involves visually checking all of your teeth for cavities and fractures. It is common for patients with cavities and/or fractures to not have developed any symptoms yet. This may be misleading the patient to believe there is nothing wrong with their teeth and they do not need an exam. This is another time in which early detection is important. Finding and treating cavities or fractures before they progress enough to cause pain or sensitivity helps ensure the treatment needed is minimally invasive and cost effective. Often, cavities can be detected with x-rays before the dentist can see them with the naked eye.

The dental exams also give the dentist and hygienist a great opportunity to collaborate in making sure you have optimal gum health. If there is a concern, they can address it together before gingivitis progresses into a more serious form of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a condition in which you lose the supporting bone around your teeth and left untreated can lead to tooth loss.

As your health care providers, we truly root for our patients health. It is our desire to keep our patients healthy and help them avoid expensive and painful situations. It is an annual requirement that your dentist complete a thorough medical history, blood pressure reading and examination prior to completing any treatment. And, yes! A dental cleaning classifies as treatment. We recommend having an honest discussion with your dentist if you have any questions regarding your exam, cleaning and/or x-rays, or any other concerns you might have.