Article written by: Brooke Pescud-Fletcher
A quarter of the year has passed and most of us would be well on our way to tackling our New Year’s resolutions. Some of us, on the other hand, may well have given up. Well, in fact, it’s not too late to get cracking. Now’s the time to get back on track and reach your goals. Did you decided to get fit and healthy in 2013 or start a new hobby? If you are wanting to improve your health, have you thought about sorting out your oral health first? A comprehensive oral examination can ensure everything is okay in your mouth – after all, it’s the gateway to the rest of your body. Was your last visit to the dentist a quick check and clean? If so, this may not be a thorough enough visit to make sure every part of your oral health is going well.
A comprehensive oral examination includes looking into your medical and dental history – past and present – and identifying any conditions, allergies or medications that may affect your dental health. Your dentist will address your concerns before starting a dental examination. The next step is updating your digital films, which show in between your teeth and underneath existing dental treatments. These examine every tooth surface including the health of your gums and jaw bone, how your teeth function together and their appearance.
What most people don’t realise is that there may be an underlying gum problem that must get treated as soon as possible or it could affect the longevity of your teeth. One in four adults lose their teeth to periodontal or gum disease, if left untreated. An oral cancer examination will also be included, as well as digital photographs and plaster teeth models. This ensures all the information gathered can be used for complete diagnosis and treatment planning in order to maintain your teeth for life.
As well as a comprehensive oral examination, a comprehensive hygiene appointment is also highly important. For a new patient to a practice, a dental hygienist will go over your medical and dental history, discuss the current oral care you conduct at home, educate you on current dental care for the prevention of gum disease, provide a complimentary blood pressure screening, conduct a saliva pH test, and work on the removal of plaque, calculus and stain build-up. The hygienist then may design a homecare plan based on your lifestyle. On completion of your appointment, a fluoride mouth rinse will help strengthen and re-mineralise your tooth enamel.
Continuing care is the most important aspect of maintaining your teeth. With regular six-monthly preventative care appointments, your dentist and hygienist can detect any concerns at an early stage. Thus, you can be certain your oral health is being taken care of and feel comfortable knowing you have a healthy mouth. Call today to make an appointment with your dental professional to get your oral health in order.