No matter how well you take care of your teeth and gums by regularly brushing and flossing at home, completing oral exams twice per year should be part of every patient’s oral health regimen. These exams, typically performed during your routine hygiene visit, ensure your smile stays healthy and disease-free. At Paxton Dental Care, patients in the Paxton, MA, area can rely on us to provide comprehensive, comfortable oral exams for the whole family.
~ Sabrina I.★★★★★
Cannot recommend this place enough! I had a problem early on during the pandemic, I called on a whim explained my situation and Scott Siemens saw me! 🙏. Before going to Paxton Dental I absolutely HATED going to the dentist 😬. Everyone is so kind and caring and makes sure your comfortable, explains everything before they do anything. I ask A LOT of questions they never seem bothered by that or in a hurry to get me out the door and on to the next patient. Truly a GEM, so thankful that I called on a whim. If you don’t like the dentist or are afraid, trust me they are AMAZING give them a call and a chance, you won’t regret it!
Components of a complete oral exam
At each dental check-up, we perform a series of steps that are designed to detect any issues with your oral health at the earliest stage possible—when we catch issues early on, we can typically treat them much more easily, which means less time in the dental chair and less money out of your wallet, in addition to better chances of making a full recovery for optimal oral health. During your oral health exam, we perform the following steps:
- Tooth decay examination: When plaque, bacteria, and tartar build up on your teeth, they can lead to problems, including cavities and deeper decay. With a visual inspection of your teeth and the assistance of the latest dental X-ray technologies, we check your teeth and underlying bone structure for signs of decay.
- Gum disease evaluation: The same issues contributing to tooth decay – plaque, tartar, and bacteria – can also cause gum disease. Also known as periodontal disease, the earliest symptoms often seem like nothing to worry about, such as puffy gums, slight redness, or “pink in the sink” (bleeding while you brush). But if gum disease is left untreated, it can lead to serious oral health issues, including loose teeth and tooth loss. We examine your gums for signs of periodontal disease and offer a broad spectrum of treatments for all stages of gum disease.
- Oral cancer screening: Oral cancers are common, affecting over 50,000 Americans each year, and one of the best ways to detect them at an early stage is through regular oral cancer screenings. An oral cancer screening is quick and painless; Drs. Fadi Farah and Scott Siemen visually inspect your oral tissues and lips for any signs of cancer and then use gloved hands to detect suspicious areas that can be felt but not seen.
In addition, we will check how your teeth bite together, examine any dental restorations you may have to ensure they are still in good condition, ask you how your teeth and gums have been feeling, and discuss any questions or concerns you might have. This is a great time to talk about any pain, inflammation, or other issues you might be experiencing so we can work with you to develop a treatment plan that you feel good about.
To schedule your complete oral exam, call Paxton Dental Care at (508) 557-2400 or request an appointment on our website.
