Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffRegular dental exams are an important part of preventive health care. During a dental exam, the dentist or hygienist will clean your teeth and identify gum inflammation or bone loss. The dentist or hygienist will evaluate your risk of developing tooth decay and other oral health problems, as well as check your face, neck and mouth for abnormalities. A dental exam might also include dental X-rays or other diagnostic procedures.
During a dental exam, the dentist or hygienist will likely discuss your diet and oral hygiene habits and might demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques. Other topics for discussion during a dental exam might include:
- Any medications you're taking
- Use of tobacco products
- Consequences of tooth loss
- Benefits of crowns, fixed bridges or dental implants
- Use of dentures
- Cosmetic procedures
A dental exam also gives you the opportunity to ask questions about oral health.
- What to expect from a dental hygiene appointment. American Dental Hygienists' Association. http://www.adha.org/oralhealth/index.html. Accessed Nov. 14, 2011.
- Adult oral health. American Dental Hygienists' Association. http://www.adha.org/oralhealth/adults.htm. Accessed Nov. 14, 2011.
- Senior oral health. American Dental Hygienists' Association. http://www.adha.org/oralhealth/seniors.htm. Accessed Nov. 14, 2011.
- Dental records. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/3030.aspx?currentTab=1. Accessed Nov. 14, 2011.
- X-rays. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/3067.aspx?currentTab=1. Accessed Nov. 14, 2011.
- Oral cancer fact sheet. American Dental Hygienists' Association. http://www.adha.org/oralhealth/index.html. Accessed Nov. 14, 2011.
- Dentures. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/2996.aspx?currentTab=1. Accessed Nov. 14, 2011.
- Diabetes. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/3069.aspx?currentTab=1. Accessed Nov. 14, 2011.
- Medications, effects on oral health. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/6512.aspx?currentTab=1. Accessed Nov. 14, 2011.
- Brooks SL. Guidelines for prescribing dental radiographs. In: White SC, et al. Oral Radiology: Principles and Interpretation. 6th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:244.
- Fonseca RB, et al. Radiodensity evaluation of dental impression materials in comparison to tooth structures. Journal of Applied Oral Science. 2010;18:467.
Find Mayo Clinic on