When it comes to dental checkups, most patients think these appointments just focus on your teeth. More specifically, they assume the visits only check to see whether you have cavities. However, the truth is quite the opposite! You see, your regular, six-month checkups involve many other things that ensure good oral health. In fact, your local dental practice can prove it: Here are four parts of your visits that demonstrate the importance of routine dental checkups in Selbyville.
Examination of Your Gums
Dentists care a lot about teeth but also value the pink stuff surrounding them — your gums, in other words.
Besides eyeing your pearly whites, then, a dentist will spend part of a checkup examining your gum tissue. In particular, they’ll see if said tissue shows signs like bleeding, swelling, pus, or altered coloring. If your gums experience such things, your dentist will want to diagnose and treat them.
Inspection of Your Salivary Glands
Your dentist will also check your salivary glands to ensure they produce enough saliva. As it turns out, the mouth liquid helps wash harmful bacteria from your mouth. Given that fact, lacking saliva can make your teeth more prone to cavities, bacteria, and infection.
If the dentist finds that you lack saliva, they may prescribe you a special mouthwash for dry mouth. Such products not only moisten your oral cavity but also protect against tooth decay.
Assessment of Your Tongue & Tonsils
Part of a dental checkup includes an assessment of your tongue. The organ’s size and surface, it turns out, can determine a lot about your oral health. As such, your dentist will check it for possible infections or illnesses.
This assessment extends to your tonsils too. In other words, the dentist will check these lymph nodes and the back of your throat for swelling, infection, and so on. That way, they’ll know if you have tonsilitis, which can lead to a throat abscess.
Screening for Oral Cancer
To ensure your mouth is truly healthy, dentists even use checkups to screen you for oral cancer. After all, bacteria aren’t the only threat to oral health.
For this screening, dentists will look over your lips, head, neck, and mouth tissue for cancerous growths. They’ll also see if you have mouth lumps, red or white patches in your throat, difficulty swallowing, and more.
Having read the items above, you should see the importance of routine dental checkups in Selbyville. Therefore, make sure to attend your next one when the time comes!
About the Author
Dr. James Kramer is a dentist based in Selbyville, DE, having earned his DMD from the Temple University School of Dentistry. Thanks to his 30+ years of experience, he offers patients great expertise and compassion during each visit. In particular, he provides high-quality preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, as well as orthodontic services. Dr. Kramer currently practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable on his website and by phone at (302)-436-5133.