Dental Examinations

What is a dental examination?

A dental examination is when an individual visits the dentist in order for their mouth, neck, and face to be properly examined for preventative measures.

100 million Americans fail to see a dentist each year.

Dental examinations and good oral hygiene can prevent most dental diseases. According to the American Dental Association, it is recommended that you should visit the dentist every 6 months. Dental examinations are critical to your overall health and can prevent serious medical problems.

Dr. Jay Elbrecht and his team at Advanced Dental Care of Indiana understands how hard it is to fit a regular dental checkup into a busy schedule. Requesting an oral examination is fast and easy. We have found and corrected many oral health issues through dental examinations.

Benefits of a dental examination

The benefits of dental examinations through Advanced Dental Care of Anderson include:

• Cavity prevention
• Gum disease prevention
• Prevention of tooth loss
• Whitens and brightens your smile
• Freshens your breath
• Oral cancer detection
• Detects other oral health issues
• Enables optimal overall health

Our dental examination process

During a dental examination, Dr. Jay Elbrecht, Dr. Jack Summerlin, Dr. Emily Summerlin, or a hygienist will perform the following procedures:

• Clean your teeth and check for cavities and gum disease.
• Evaluate your risk of developing other oral health problems.
• A dental exam might also include dental X-rays (radiographs) or other diagnostic procedures.

Our task is to remove tartar and plaque during a regular cleaning. You will still have to perform proper maintenance on your own mouth each and every day. Routine dental cleanings and proper daily care will help keep your teeth and mouth clean, fresh, and disease-free.

Why are dental examinations important?

Regular dental visits are important because they can help detect oral health problems early. This enables treatments to be simple and affordable to the patient.

What are some signs I should get a dental examination?

• Teeth are sensitive to hot or cold
• Gums are puffy or bleed when you brush
• You have fillings, crowns, dental implants, or dentures
• Uncomfortable with the way your smile or teeth look
• Uncontrollable bad breath
• Pregnancy
• Pain or swelling in your mouth, face, or neck
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Family history of gum disease or tooth decay
• Medical condition such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or eating disorders
• Dry mouth
• Normal use of tobacco products
• Painful jaw when opening and closing
• Sore mouth

Should I see a dentist if I am not having any negative symptoms?

If you don’t have any symptoms, you can still have dental health problems that only a dentist can diagnose. Regular dental visits will help prevent problems from developing.

What should I expect from a dental examination?

Dr. Jay Elbrecht or the hygienist will ask about your recent medical history, examine your mouth and decide whether or not you need x-rays. Depending on your treatment plan, they may use a special dental instruments to check your gums for gum disease. They may conduct an oral cancer screening by holding your tongue with gauze, checking it and your whole mouth, then feeling your jaw and neck.

How often should I get a dental examination?

Some people need to visit the dentist once or twice a year; others may need more visits.