– Assess your need for fluoride
– Take dental X-rays or, if necessary, do other diagnostic procedures

During a dental exam, your dentist or hygienist will also ask about any health problems you have or medications you’re taking and discuss how they might affect your oral health. If you have diabetes, for example, you’re at increased risk of gum disease, and any medication that contributes to dry mouth can increase your risk of tooth decay. Suppose arthritis interferes with your ability to brush your teeth effectively. In that case, your dentist or hygienist might show you how to insert the handle of your toothbrush into a rubber ball for easier use — or recommend a powered or electric toothbrush.

If you have prosthetic replacements — such as dentures or bridges — your dentist or hygienist will examine how well they fit and discuss the need for adjustments.

Dental exams might also include counseling about diet, tobacco products, and other lifestyle factors that can affect oral health.

Dental X-ray

A dental X-ray allows the dentist to see detailed images of your mouth. Various types of dental X-rays are available, including:

• This type of X-ray allows the dentist to see the crowns of the upper and lower teeth. During a bitewing X-ray, you’ll bite down on the X-ray film holder while the X-ray images are being taken.
• This type of X-ray allows the dentist to see the entire tooth and the surrounding bone.
• This type of X-ray allows the dentist to see how the upper teeth and corresponding lower teeth fit together when the jaw is closed.
• This type of X-ray gives the dentist a broad view of the entire mouth.
• Cone beam computerized tomography. This type of X-ray provides a 3-D view so that the dentist can better gauge the spacing of teeth and adjacent structures.
• X-rays aren’t typically needed at every dental visit. Radiation exposure from dental X-rays is low — but talk to your dentist if you’re concerned about radiation exposure.

Oral cancer exam

During your dental exam, your dentist or hygienist will look for signs of oral cancer; they will feel the area under your jaw, sides of your neck, and insides of your lips and cheeks; moreover, examine the sides of your tongue and the roof and floor of your mouth.

Dental impression

In some cases, the dentist might recommend making a dental impression of one or both jaws to produce a replica of your teeth and oral tissue. It can help the dentist or hygienist evaluate your bite or make a mouth guard or bleaching trays.

The dentist or hygienist will fill horseshoe-shaped trays with a soft, gelatin-like material and place them over your upper or lower teeth. After a few minutes, the trays are removed and used to create a dental cast of your mouth. The dentist might also have you bite down on a soft material to record and evaluate your bite.

Results

After your dental exam, the dentist or hygienist will discuss your oral health, including your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and any other oral health problems, and preventive measures you can take to improve and protect your oral health.

The dentist or hygienist will also recommend the best time to return for a follow-up visit. If you’re at high risk of any tooth decay stage of gum disease or have other oral health problems, the dentist or hygienist might recommend frequent checkups.