Comprehensive dental exams – the secret to a healthy, happy smile

Question 1

Is a checkup just a comprehensive exam?

Answer

The checkup is an opportunity for Dr. Shah to check for problems with your teeth, gums, and other parts of your mouth during a clinical exam. However, it is more than that as an all-encompassing preventive service. During checkups, we also:

Clean your teeth to remove surface stains and stubborn plaque/tartar.
Perform a screening for oral pre-cancers and cancers.
Review your habits and demonstrate ways to improve brushing, flossing, and other trouble areas.
Provide plenty of time to answer questions, discuss concerns, and walk you through treatment options as needed.
Apply fluoride, dental sealants, or other preventive services to aid your excellent cleaning routine at home.

Question 2

What do you look for during an exam?

Answer

The goal of routine exams is for Dr. Shah to catch problems early before they cause painful symptoms and damage. It’s common for people to think that their teeth and gums are perfectly healthy and fine when there may be early-stage enamel erosion or gum inflammation that needs your prompt attention. Prompt intervention stops the decay and disease process from progressing. Damage that requires more costly, invasive, and time-consuming treatment can be avoided.

Question 3

Is it just about checking for cavities and gum disease?

Answer

Absolutely not! Dr. Shah also checks other parts of your mouth, head, and neck for swelling, lumps, and other anomalies. Many oral conditions, including cancers, can be treated successfully when detected early before they spread. Dr. Shah will also ask you to move your jaw up and down and perform other movements, which help him to determine your bite and assess for jaw joint (TMJ) issues. Caring for your teeth and gums is just part of what we do at Ocean Shore Dentistry, because your mouth is so much more than that!

Question 4

How do you check for problems?

Answer

Dr. Shah starts by looking for potential issues by sight or touch. He also carefully selected advanced imaging technologies, which are used to help us see and identify areas that are too small to be seen with the eyes alone. Our technologies include low-radiation digital X-rays and CBCT scans.

Question 5

Can I get my comprehensive oral exam in a single appointment?

Answer

Yes. In most cases, a comprehensive oral exam is completed during a single visit at Ocean Shore Dentistry. Your appointment may include an evaluation of your teeth, gums, bite, oral tissues, and overall oral health, along with any needed digital X-rays or diagnostic imaging. Dr. Ravi Shah uses advanced technology to gather detailed information efficiently and discuss his findings and recommendations with you before you leave. If treatment is needed, it can often be scheduled for a future visit.

Question 6

Is it true I need to visit you every six months for exams?

Answer

Yes, this is the American Dental Association’s recommendation. However, no two appointments or treatments are exactly the same because no two patients are alike. So, everything that we do is personalized to you – including the recommended frequency for appointments. If you have a condition like diabetes that increases your risk for oral infections and disease, we generally want to check your mouth more frequently. If you smoke, we may need to perform oral cancer screenings more often than two times per year. Follow-up visits are also important when monitoring how well recommended home care and treatments are working to resolve existing gum disease and other problems.

Whether it’s been a while since you’ve last seen the dentist or you are worried about something with your mouth, contact Ocean Shore Dentistry to schedule an appointment! Call (732) 466-3966 to speak with a member of our team in Ocean Township, NJ, today. We offer flexible and convenient scheduling that fits comfortably into your busy life.