Dental exam

The Mayo Clinic Diet Book, learn more

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Results

By Mayo Clinic staff

After your dental exam, the dentist or hygienist will discuss your oral health, including your risk of tooth decay, gum disease and any other oral health problems, and preventive measures you can take to improve and protect your oral health. The dentist or hygienist will also recommend the best time to return for a follow-up visit — typically every six months. If you're at high risk of tooth decay or gum disease or have other oral health problems, the dentist or hygienist might recommend more-frequent checkups.

What you can expect
References
  1. What to expect from a dental hygiene appointment. American Dental Hygienists' Association. http://www.adha.org/oralhealth/index.html. Accessed Nov. 14, 2011.
  2. Adult oral health. American Dental Hygienists' Association. http://www.adha.org/oralhealth/adults.htm. Accessed Nov. 14, 2011.
  3. Senior oral health. American Dental Hygienists' Association. http://www.adha.org/oralhealth/seniors.htm. Accessed Nov. 14, 2011.
  4. Dental records. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/3030.aspx?currentTab=1. Accessed Nov. 14, 2011.
  5. X-rays. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/3067.aspx?currentTab=1. Accessed Nov. 14, 2011.
  6. Oral cancer fact sheet. American Dental Hygienists' Association. http://www.adha.org/oralhealth/index.html. Accessed Nov. 14, 2011.
  7. Dentures. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/2996.aspx?currentTab=1. Accessed Nov. 14, 2011.
  8. Diabetes. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/3069.aspx?currentTab=1. Accessed Nov. 14, 2011.
  9. Medications, effects on oral health. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/6512.aspx?currentTab=1. Accessed Nov. 14, 2011.
  10. 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.
  11. Fonseca RB, et al. Radiodensity evaluation of dental impression materials in comparison to tooth structures. Journal of Applied Oral Science. 2010;18:467.
MY01097 Feb. 18, 2012

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger