Dental Exam Dental examinations should be carried out twice yearly in order to help patients maintain proper oral hygiene. Regular dental appointments allow us to identify current oral conditions and assess the likelihood of any future developments. Dental exams are done with our practitioners at East Portland Dentistry using cutting-edge equipment for enhanced quality.Importance of Dental ExamsRegular oral examinations help us identify various oral diseases and infections through screening. With these examinations, we will be able to diagnose cavities, fractured teeth, debris inside the mouth, gingivitis, and gum conditions. If no problems are identified, we will proceed on with your dental cleaning and no treatment will be needed. Adults with gum disease are required to have periodontal cleanings more often - advisably three to four times a year to prevent periodontitis. Most children and adults should get a dental exam every six months. This is the best recommended way to prevent periodontitis. The exams play a significant factor in creating awareness which helps educate people on the best ways to take care of their teeth and gums. Babies should also have their first dental appointment within six months of developing their first tooth. During Your Dental VisitA dental visit includes cleaning by a hygienist, x-rays, and an exam by a dentist. During your cleaning, the hygienist will clean your teeth using small dental tools. They will scrape your teeth to remove plaque and tartar. The practitioner will floss your teeth, and polish your teeth with a special electric toothbrush. This will be followed by an application of fluoride gel to your teeth, to prevent tooth decay or cavities. Dental x-rays show cavities, gum disease, bone loss, and other problems that the naked eye cannot see. You will bite down onto a small piece of plastic. This sensor is placed inside the mouth to create a digital image of the hard structures of your teeth and bone. The digital images are very safe and require a minimal amount of radiation, often less than you would receive standing outside on a sunny day. Bite-wing type of x-rays are typically done once a year to see areas between the teeth not visible on the oral exam. Once every few years a full mouth set of radiographs may be recommended. During your dental visit the dentist will come in and do your recall exam. They will review your x-rays, do an oral cancer screening, check your oral soft tissues, muscles and joints. This might include visually inspecting the oral cavity and feeling under you jaw, neck and the floor of the mouth. Any problems with the occlusion or skeletal alignment may be referred to an orthodontist. You then will have the opportunity to discuss your dental health with your dentist, and ask any questions you may have. Our dentists encourage a partnership in keeping your smile healthy and bright. Get in touch with the team at East Portland Dentistry, and learn more about maintaining excellent oral health. Schedule an appointment by contacting us at (971) 484-1652. |
 Phone(971) 484-1652 HoursMonday – 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Tuesday – 7:00 am - 5:00 pm Wednesday – 8:00 am - 1:00 pm Thursday – 8:00 am - 6:00 pm Friday – 8:00 am - 5:00 pm |
