Why A Dental Exam!

There's a common misperception that dental care is a luxury, and it's time to set the record straight. 

Regular dental exams (aka "dental checkups") are just like regular medical exams and physicals - both are preventive measures to help you stay healthy in the long run. What's more, your oral health and overall health are inextricably intertwined: Gum disease has been linked to diabetes, pregnancy has been linked to tooth loss and stress may cause TMJ, dry mouth syndrome and other dental problems.

The best way, if not the only way, to protect yourself against dental health disasters is to stay on top of your dental exams/dental checkups. The ADA recommends a checkup at least once every six months. 

We tune up our cars because we're told that maintenance can improve performance and even increase longevity. This is a great analogy for dental exams/dental checkups; just like our cars, our teeth need tuneups, too. Regular exams/checkups allow your dentist to monitor the health of your teeth, treat problems and even catch problems before they start or get worse. In the long run, these "tuneups" can result in your teeth lasting a lifetime! 

A standard dental exam for adults typically involves checking for dental problems that can range from cavities, gum disease and tooth root decay to broken teeth, enamel erosion and bite problems like TMD. If it's been longer than year since you've seen a dentist, you'll get a complete set of X-rays, too. Either your dentist or a dental hygienist will give you a professional dental cleaning to remove plaque or tartar buildup. And finally, your dentist will design a dental treatment plan for you based on what he or she finds during your dental exam.

Oral Cancer Screening is an important component of a dental exam that  patients often overlook says Dr. Cherukuri from her Chino, California dental practice