The Importance of Choosing the Right Dentist for Your Dental Exams and Cleanings

Good dental hygiene is essential for achieving optimum oral health and keeping your smile attractive. The American Dental Association and dentists across the world also recommend going for dental checkups at least once every six months to avoid future dental problems. There are many reasons why you should choose the right dentist to carry out dental exams and cleanings in Oakland. We will list a few in this article.

Why Scheduling Regular Dental Exams Is Important

You shouldn’t wait till you have a dental emergency or problem before seeing a dentist in Oakland, CA, for a diagnosis. Dental exams should be conducted regularly as a preventive measure against oral diseases, which can lead to severe dental pain and tooth loss. It’s also easier to treat dental problems when they are detected early compared to when detected during their advanced stage. Here is why scheduling routine dental exams is important:

Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer is a severe dental problem that may lead to other health complications besides tooth loss. The dental disease usually starts as a small tumour or abscess, which may be hard to self-diagnose during the early stages when the symptoms are mild. Unfortunately, this disease gets harder to treat when treatment is delayed and it advances to its severe stage. During a routine dental exam, your dentist will screen you for oral cancer using technologically advanced dental equipment capable of detecting dental problems not visible to the naked eye. We recommend going for regular dental checkups from a dentist near you.

Early Detection of Cavities and Gum Disease

Cavities and gum disease are common dental problems that affect people of all ages. Usually, due to bad oral hygiene, cavities and gum disease can go undetected when starting out. With cavities, the patient may experience mild symptoms such as increased tooth sensitivity when eating, which many ignore once they go away. The patient usually starts looking for help once the cavity has damaged part of the tooth structure and dental pain has become unbearable. Gum disease is even harder to self-diagnose during the early stages since patients usually assume bleeding gums is caused by using abrasive dental products. Fortunately, dentists can detect these dental problems during routine oral exams and recommend treatment before the dental problems become dental emergencies.

To Prevent Toothloss

Tooth loss can occur when a simple dental problem has gone undetected and thus damages the tooth and its support structures to a point where it can’t be restored. Dental exams serve as a preventive measure against tooth loss and other dental problems. After a dental exam, your dentist will clean your teeth, removing plaque and tartar, which may have failed to come out during regular dental cleaning via a standard toothbrush and floss. Tooth fractures and chips which weaken the tooth and make it vulnerable to cavities can also be detected during a dental exam and thus repaired through dental restoration procedures.

What Happens During a Cleaning or Checkup?

A dental exam involves more than just checking teeth for signs of decay and damage. Your dentist will conduct a series of tests, including checking your gums, head and neck for signs of oral cancer, infection and other dental problems. Using an X-ray machine, your dentist will take images to check for oral problems that may have gone undetected during the physical exam. Jaw joint problems (TMJ) and impacted teeth are easier detected with the help of X-rays. Your dentist can even tell if your teeth which haven’t ruptured, are developing correctly or will need to be removed so it doesn’t cause problems in future. Here are the things to expect when you visit a dental office near you for a dental checkup and cleaning:

• Examination of the gum, teeth, tongue and TMJ for problems
• Checking your bite for bite-related problems
• Inspection of existing tooth restoration devices for signs of damage
• Checking the neck, head and mouth cavity for signs of oral cancer
• Upon completion of the dental exam, your dentist will professionally clean your teeth to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, making you less susceptible to cavities and gum disease.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Dentist

Experience: although there are dentists with minimal experience who are reliable, you want to pick one who has the most experience in the field

Location: there are many dental clinics in almost every part of the city. Consider picking a dental clinic close to where you stay so you don’t spend a lot on fuel or transport.

Availability: some dentists are hardly available since they deal with many patients. Although these are usually some of the best dentists in the field, it’s best to find a dentist who knows how to manage their time to avoid ending up on a long waiting list every time you need a dental exam.

Rating: the best way to find the best dentist in your town is to look online for reviews from other patients who’ve received their services.

Referrals: tell your colleagues, friends and family you are looking for a dentist. They can refer you to their dentists, who may be a good match for you.

Conclusion

Dental exams and cleanings are important for maintaining optimum oral health. However, finding a dentist whose competent, and every dentist claims to be skilled and experienced, maybe a challenge. Consider the factors we’ve listed to filter through the huge numbers until you find one that best suits your needs. If you are within Oakland and are looking for an experienced and capable dentist, we recommend visiting Franklin Dental Care. Our dentist utilizes the latest dental technology to make treatment comfortable and effective.