A regular dental exam is critical for excellent oral health and overall well-being, At Precision Dentistry of Olympia, you don’t just sit and let us do the work while you passively (and somewhat nervously) await the outcome. We take our responsibility as leaders in the dental field seriously, and we consider it part of our mission to keep you informed and to empower you in your choices about your care.
Good dental hygiene at home is essential and consists of brushing and flossing at least once a day, but even the best and most dedicated brushers and flossers can have areas of their mouth that are hard to reach, where plaque can build up.
The professional exam gives us the opportunity to see every nook and cranny of your mouth using very powerful light and using advanced diagnostic technologies.
More Than Just Looking for Cavities
When you come to our office to be seen for an exam, we do much more than just look for tooth decay or cavities. The exam we perform is far more extensive. It also screens for:
- Gum disease and periodontal issues
- Oral cancer and precancerous lesions
- Tooth grinding/clenching habits
- Bite alignment and jaw function
- Existing dental work integrity
- Systemic health connections
When we assess a patient’s oral health, we do so from a comprehensive standpoint and consider all facets of their dental and medical history. This allows us to not only look for problems that might exist but also to see problems that might be developing. By focusing on preventive care, we can catch anything that may soon become a more serious situation and handle it in a timely manner, which is obviously best for the patient.
Advanced Screening Technologies
For the most thorough examinations possible, Precision Dentistry employs state-of-the-art technologies such as digital x-rays, intraoral cameras, and laser cavity detection. These tools allow us to see into the future to discover problems before they get a chance to grow.
These cutting-edge instruments provide us with the means to detect potential problems that the human eye can’t see. They enable us to see the structure of your teeth in much greater detail and to visualize the types of conditions in which they may find themselves. we will also show you the high-definition images that these tools make possible, so you can understand not only why any problem we might find is a problem but also what all of the different possible treatment options are.
Professional Cleaning Importance
The examination and the professional cleaning performed by our talented hygienists are of utmost importance for ensuring excellent oral health between dental visits. Even if you’re brushing and flossing with perfect technique, hardened plaque (tartar) can still form in those sneaky spots that only a dental professional can reach. Our hygienists use specialized instruments to solve that problem. They also use some very basic, but often overlooked, techniques. For example, after the build-up has been removed, they polish the teeth.
These cleanings disrupt the accumulation of plaque that can lead to cavities and gum disease. Think of it as “resetting” your mouth to its cleanest, freshest state!
How Often Should You See the Dentist?
For the majority of our patients, we suggest that they come to see us for a checkup and cleaning every 6 months. However, we also recognize that some patients have risk factors that could warrant seeing us more often or not seeing us as often, which includes:
- Tobacco use
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- History of oral cancer or gum disease
- Weakened immune function
- Genetics and susceptibility
When you visit our office, you’ll be informed of the follow-up timeline that makes the most sense given our expert evaluation of your oral health and the risks associated with it.
A Patient-Focused Approach
Our role, at the end of the day, is one of an educator. We provide information and let patients make decisions based on that information. We highly recommend routine exams and cleanings to all our patients. But also respect the patients’ ability to make the final call after consultation and considered what we had to say.
Our team are dedicated to ensuring your preventative visit is a positive, comfortable experience focused on your needs. We’ll take the time to thoroughly discuss any findings, explain your care options, and empower you to make the choices aligning with your health goals.
By investing in routine exams now, you’re taking an important step towards avoiding complex dental issues and costly treatments down the road. Let’s work together to set the foundation for a lifetime of great oral health!
