Dental Exam Southborough MA

Dental Exam | Our teeth keep us alive in a way, as they help us chew and eat food. Without healthy teeth, eating can be an unpleasant and even painful experience.This is why dentists recommended dental exams twice a year, or every six months. Poor dental care can actually affect your entire body. In some cases, dentists are able to diagnose certain medical conditions based on the appearance of your teeth and gums. Visiting your dentist often can keep you healthy, keep your teeth clean and help manage issues before they become major problems.

Call Southborough Dental Partners and schedule a dental exam. Our team is dedicated to your oral health.

What to Expect

Dental exams are often performed by both a dentist and a hygienist. The hygienist focuses on cleaning your teeth, while the dentist will examine your teeth and ensure they are healthy. Your dentist will look for issues such as tooth decay, gingivitis and gum disease. If any of these problems are found, your dentist will advise follow-up treatment. 

The hygienist will start the dental exam by cleaning your teeth. Small instruments such as mirrors and scalers are used to navigate around your mouth. The scaler scrapes the teeth to remove plaque and tartar. Plaque is a sticky film that contains bacteria. Plaque can be removed through regular brushing. If left on the teeth too long, though, it can harden and turn to tartar, which is even harder to remove. 

Once the surfaces of your teeth are clean, the hygienist will then floss your teeth. He or she will then brush your teeth with a powerful electric toothbrush. The brush scrubs your teeth using a gritty toothpaste. If your teeth are prone to cavities, the hygienist may recommend fluoride. Children tend to get fluoride more often than adults. Once your cleaning is done, the hygienist may offer advice about keeping your teeth even cleaner.

Dental X-rays

Dental exams often involved X-rays. X-rays are taken every 1-2 years, depending on the health of your mouth. They are helpful for dentists because they can identify issues that cannot be seen during a visual exam, such as decay hidden in between teeth. The X-rays can also help your dentist evaluate your bite and jaw alignment and look for oral cancer and other health issues. There are full-mouth X-rays, which take a panoramic view of your mouth. Bitewing X-rays focus on certain areas and are good for identifying cavities. The dentist will then evaluate the X-rays and check your teeth and gums for any issues.

Contact Us for Your Dental Exam

Regular exams can keep your teeth clean and healthy for life. Avoid serious oral health issues by visiting us twice a year. Schedule your appointment today.