Last Updated on March 12, 2023 by
It is medically recommended to regularly visit the dentist once in six months or a year. Regular visits to the dentist help you make sure if your teeth and gums are in good condition. Dentists can also help you identify upcoming dental diseases and help you take preventative care. However, a significant part of the population does not care about going to the dentist.
One of the primary reasons why people do not go to the dentist is dental fear. It is estimated that 75% of the American population experiences nervousness before they visit the dentist. This fear often emerges from not knowing what happens in a dental exam. Keep reading to find out what happens in a Bismarck dental exam.
What Is A Dental Exam?
A dental exam aims to examine your teeth and gums. These exams are conducted to make sure your teeth and gums are in good condition. If the dentist detects a risk, they can warn you about it before the illness worsens and suggest you take preventative care.
How To Prepare For A Dental Exam
If you have dentophobia, it is suggested to take precautions to manage your fear. Try talking to a therapist about your anxiety and understand if it is irrational or there is a reason behind it and what you need to do to overcome it.
Speaking to your dentist about your fear will help you the most. If your dentist knows about your fears, they can take certain precautions to make you feel comfortable in the clinic and make adjustments in the treatment to put you at ease.
What Happens In A Dental Exam
Cleaning
Your dentist will check your teeth, gums, jaw, and supporting structures. They will then conduct a thorough cleaning of your mouth, such as removing tartar, flossing, and even polishing in some cases.
X-Rays
X-Rays are essential to know about the abnormalities of your mouth that are not visible to the naked eye. If you have concerns about radiation from the x-ray machine, you can ask your dentist for digital x-rays.
Oral Cancer Screening
The rise in oral cancer has made it mandatory for dentists to conduct an oral cancer screening at a dental exam. Oral cancer is a life-threatening disease and can occur in various ways. A common person can often not detect the signs of oral cancer without the help of a professional. Therefore, dental exams can significantly help in uncovering cancer in its early stages. Oral cancer, if diagnosed at the beginning, can be easily treated.
Dental Impressions
A dental impression is a close replica of your teeth and gums. It helps the dentist to understand if there is a problem with the patient’s bite.
What is the first task in the dental exam for a new patient?
The first task in a dental exam for a new patient is typically a comprehensive dental health history review. This involves gathering important information about the patient’s dental health, medical history, and any other relevant factors that could impact their dental care. The dental health history review is an important step because it provides the dentist with a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s dental health, including any previous dental work, dental health issues, or concerns the patient may have. This information is crucial for creating a personalized treatment plan that meets the patient’s unique needs.
During the dental health history review, the dentist may ask a series of questions about the patient’s dental health, such as how often they brush and floss, any past or current dental problems, and any medications they are taking that could affect their dental health. The dentist may also perform a visual examination of the patient’s teeth and gums to look for signs of decay, gum disease, or other dental issues. Once the dental health history review is complete, the dentist can create a treatment plan tailored to the patient’s specific needs and goals, which may include routine cleanings, X-rays, or more extensive dental work if necessary.
