During your first dental visit we will
- Evaluate your overall health and oral hygiene
- Evaluate your risk of tooth decay, root decay, and gum or bone disease
- Evaluate your need for tooth restoration or tooth replacement
- Check your bite and jaw for problems
- We will advise if required the removal of any stains or deposits on your teeth
- Demonstrate proper cleaning techniques for your teeth or dentures
- Assess your need for fluoride
- Take dental X-rays or, if necessary, do other diagnostic procedures
During a dental exam, we will also ask about any health problems you have or medications you're taking and discuss how they might affect your oral health. If you have diabetes, for example, you're at high risk of gum disease. Any medication that contributes to dry mouth can increase your risk of tooth decay.
If you have prosthetic replacements — such as dentures or bridges — we will examine how well they fit and discuss the need for adjustments.
Dental examination might include counseling about your diet, use of tobacco products and other lifestyle factors that can affect oral health. We would advise you to give any history or past experience of allergic reaction to any dental product or medication
Oral cancer exam
During your dental exam, we will look for signs of oral cancer in the area under your jaw, the sides of your neck, and insides of your lips and cheeks, as well as examine the sides of your tongue and the roof and floor of your mouth.
Dental impression
In some cases, there might be a need to make a dental impression of one or both jaws to produce a replica of your teeth and oral tissue. This can help us to evaluate your bite or make a mouthguard or bleaching trays.