The foundation of all good dental treatment is a thorough comprehensive dental exam. This is where your dentist lays the groundwork for all future care and recommendations and is able to get an up-close view of your teeth, gums and mouth. Comprehensive dental exams entail far more than just cleaning your teeth. The American Dental Association defines a comprehensive oral exam as an “extensive evaluation and the recording of all extraoral, intraoral and soft tissues”.
At Glacier Creek Dental, we believe that patients can stay on the path to excellent oral health and wellness through established prevention techniques and appropriate patient education. The first part of putting you on this oral wellness path is through a comprehensive dental exam. These exams are given so we can plan out your future care and make recommendations for what you need right now. The more information your dentist has about you and your needs, the better he can treat you and help you.
The American Dental Association recommends a comprehensive dental exam for all patients every three years starting at age two. (The frequency of these comprehensive exams may increase if we find that you are at higher risk for certain conditions or diseases based on our initial comprehensive dental exam findings.) The driving force behind these comprehensive dental exams are the diseases and conditions that can be prevented or diagnosed by having the examinations.
Your oral health affects your total body health and vice versa. Poor oral health has been linked to diabetes, systemic disorders, high blood pressure, oral cancer, gum and bone disease, deteriorating cardiovascular health and sinus problems. Through a proper evaluation of your teeth, gums, jaw, and surrounding tissues your dentist can reduce your likelihood for conditions that can endanger your overall health.
It is important to note that nothing ever occurs during a comprehensive dental exam that you haven’t first been educated on and agreed to do. We want you to be part of the process, understand what is needed and why. Our dentists and/or hygienists take the time to make sure you are comfortable and know what is going on at all times. Typically, a comprehensive dental exam will include the following:
One of the most important parts of the comprehensive dental exam is your patient/doctor interview when your dentist (and sometimes hygienist too) will discuss with you your current oral health, including your risk of tooth decay, gum disease and any other oral health problems that they may have seen. At this time, we will give you our recommendations for prevention and early detection tips you can practice at home for optimal oral health, including oral hygiene instructions and other helpful tools.
If you’d like to know more about our comprehensive dental exam, or any of the other services we provide, call Family & Cosmetic Dentistry of the Rockies today at (970) 267-0993. If you need to reach us after regular business hours, you can also send a contact or appointment request online (below) at your convenience.