Routine Exams: What Are We Trying To Find?

When you come in for your dental exam with us, you may wonder why it’s necessary. We just saw you six months ago, so what exactly are we thinking we are going to discover in there, you ask? First, remember that the reason we consistently check up on your oral health is because if we do find a change, providing you with treatment means we can treat it, say goodbye to the problem, and get your smile back to excellent health very quickly. As for what we might need to treat at some point, let’s review.

Tooth Decay

We suggest six month dental exams with us because tooth decay is something we can detect before you have a big hole in your tooth! When you see us and we notice the softening of your enamel, sometimes we may make suggestions to help you reverse it. In other instances, we will suggest a filling when your cavity is extremely small, which means you retain most of your natural tissue.

Functional Problems

Maybe you are just beginning to experience problems with your jaw joints (TMJ disorder) or other signs that bruxism (teeth clenching or grinding) is affecting you. If we detect such changes during a dental exam, we can offer bruxism treatment before serious damage occurs, which can include worn teeth, sensitivity, fractured teeth, sore jaws, and more.

Oral Cancer

We’re not hoping to find oral cancer. Instead, we are hoping to ensure you can avoid it by providing screenings. They can detect those very initial abnormalities, which means very early treatment can protect your oral health and your life! The sooner treatment for any problem begins, the greater the chance of absolute success.

Schedule Six Month Exams With Us To Protect Your Smile

Come in for smile protection every six months in the form of dental exams and cleanings. Find out if you’re making good choices by scheduling a visit with your Ankeny, IA dentist today! Contact Peddicord Family Dentistry to set up an appointment by calling 515-963-3339.