In order to maintain overall health, it is vital to take care of dental and oral health. Dental cavities and gum disease are caused by poor oral hygiene habits, and can also have a link with heart disease, cancer, or even diabetes. It is suggested to have at least two oral exams each year.

What are the signs or symptoms that the dentist usually looks for?

The signs or symptoms that the dentist looks for are:

There might be prolonged sores or ulcers in the tender areas in the mouth
Gums get swollen or bleed after brushing or flossing
Bad breath
Super sensitive to hot and cold temperatures or beverages
Persistent toothache
Loss of teeth
Gums get receded
Pain while chewing or biting
Swollen face and cheek
Jaw clicking
Teeth get cracked or broken
Dry mouth
What are the reasons that affect oral health?

The common reasons that affect oral health are:

Smoking or chewing tobacco
Poor habits of brushing
Having sugary foods and drinks frequently
Diabetic patients
Medicines that reduce the amount of saliva in the mouth
Genetics
Infections like HIV or AIDS
Hormonal changes in women
Vomiting often, due to the acid

What happens during an oral exam?

Dental X-rays are used by the dentist to examine not only your teeth and gums but also the entire mouth. This also includes the condition of your tongue, mouth’s roof, and the inside of the cheeks. It helps in the quick evaluation, making it a convenient option. These X-rays don’t consist of any harmful chemicals and can be seen almost instantly. They give precise as well as detailed images of oral anatomy while reducing radiation when compared to traditional film X-rays.

Professional dental cleaning is carried out to remove all the tartar and plaque. They accumulate in the areas missed even by brushing and flossing. A deep cleaning called scaling, and root planing is to remove tartar from above and below the gumline, as the routine cleaning misses them. Fluoride treatment helps in fighting cavities.

Oral cancer screening is to find out if there is any sign of oral cancer. If there is, the necessary treatment is provided. In the early stages, the signs aren’t even perceivable, which makes it even more important to have these routine screenings.

Call us at (386) 445-6111 or schedule an online appointment with Dr. Jacob for a consultation at our office in Palm Coast, FL.