What You Need to Know About Dental Exams

Health-focused dentists recognize that the oral area of your body can influence your overall health as well as impact how you look and feel about yourself. In this blog, I will discuss the comprehensive dental examination that a holistic/biological dentist performs and 8 areas of focus in evaluating your oral and overall health.

1. Dental and Medical History

1. Chief complaint (pain, abscess, cracked tooth or filling, gum problem, etc.)
2. Oral habits
3. Physical and emotional stresses
4. Diet
5. Diagnoses, treatments and procedures
6. Medications

2. Visual and Clinical Evaluation of the Head and Neck 

1. Lymph Nodes
2. Thyroid
3. Skin

3. Visual and Clinical Evaluation of the Soft Tissues in the Mouth   

1. Dryness
2. Salivary glands
3. Lesions (oral cancer screen)
4. Tongue movements
5. Salivary pH

4. Visual and Clinical Evaluation of the Teeth 

1. Count the number
2. Note missing teeth
3. Note impacted teeth
4. Existing restorations -type and condition
5. New areas of decay
6. Areas of wear
7. Areas of pain
8. Food traps
9. Crowding, spacing, and other orthodontic considerations
10. Cosmetic concerns

5. Visual and Clinical Evaluation of the Gums

1. Oral hygiene
2. Infections
3. Inflammation
4. Infections
5. Bone loss
6. Recession

6. Visual and Clinical Evaluation of Jaw and Bite  

1. TMJ screen
2. Clicking sounds
3. Jaw opening
4. Bite positions
5. Bruxism
6. Pain

7. Diagnostic X-rays

1. Full Mouth
2. Bitewings
3. Periapicals
4. Panoramic
5. Other (cephalometric, 3 D Cone Beam)

8. Indicators of Systemic Health

1. Blood pressure check
2. Covid temperature check
3. Salivary PH (excessive dental decay)
4. Dry mouth (Sjrogen’s syndrome)
5. Periodontal disease (inflammation or heart disease)
6. Snoring or sleep apnea

Wow, what a mouthful!. I hope you found this information helpful when making your oral care decisions. Be sure to check out the video below which goes into more details about a holistic, comprehensive dental exam.