When was the last time you visited your El Paso, TX, office for a dental exam? We suggest a visit for a checkup twice a year to help you enjoy optimal oral health. In today’s blog, we’re going to take a closer look at what happens during this visit, and why you need to have your smile examined every six months.
The Visual Exam
To start, we will take a close look at your smile. We will use x-rays and intraoral cameras to obtain a detailed look at your teeth, gums, and oral structures. We can then provide an accurate assessment of your smile and identify problem areas in the earliest possible stages. From there, our team will craft a personalized treatment plan to restore your smile, repairing damage and preventing worsening oral health issue from impacting your smile’s health, appearance, and stability.
What We’re Looking For
When examining the teeth, we look for weak spots and other warning signs of decay and infection. We also watch for signs of wear or friction, which could point to teeth grinding and TMJ disorder. We watch the gums for indicators of redness, soreness, recession, or bleeding, which could identify gingivitis or gum disease. When examining oral tissues, we’ll look for lesions, sore places, or areas with red and white splotches, which could mean the presence of oral cancer. The earlier we identify a problem, the less intensive treatment may be. For example, treating an early cavity means a one-visit filling, while an advanced cavity could require a root canal and dental crown.
Children’s Visit
Children should attend their first dental exam at around age one. Afterward, routine visits every six months will be necessary. Just like adults, we will watch the teeth for indicators of cavities, treating the issue with a dental filling before the tooth becomes infected or develops serious pain. We also watch for gingivitis, developing misalignment, and other common oral health issues that occur in childhood. To help reduce the risk of a cavity, we may discuss preventive measures, such as fluoride treatments to strengthen the outer tooth enamel or dental sealants to keep food from becoming stuck between the hard-to-reach rear molars. If you have any questions about our dental exams, or if you would like to schedule one for you or a member of your family, then please contact our team today.
TALK TO SUNNY SMILES IN EL PASO ABOUT ROUTINE PREVENTIVE CARE
At Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, our team is ready to help you enjoy preventive care. Don’t let you or your family’s smiles suffer from common (and preventable) oral health concerns. If you have questions examining and cleaning your smile, you can reach our East El Paso dental practice on 10039 Dyer St., at 915-859-7000!