Beyond Cavities: Other Things Your Dentist Checks For

When it comes to your dental checkup, most people may think it’s just about finding cavities and ensuring your teeth are clean. While these are important aspects of the visit, there’s much more happening behind the scenes! Your dentist is working hard to ensure that not only your teeth are healthy, but everything around them is as well! Here are three things that your dentist does during your routine checkup that you may not have realized.

1.)  Checking for Gum Disease

Your gums play a crucial role in maintaining your smile. They help keep your teeth in place, so ensuring that they are healthy is important. Gum disease can develop slowly over time, and symptoms may be minor until it becomes severe.

During your checkup, your dentist measures the depth of the pockets between your gums and teeth. The deeper they are, the more likely that there is the presence of gum disease. Other symptoms include issues in the gum tissue such as bleeding, swelling, and redness. Fortunately, catching this issue early can prevent more serious complications, such as tooth loss.

2.)  Examining Your Tongue and Salivary Glands

Your tongue and salivary glands also play a vital role in your oral health. For instance, your tongue can be an indicator of various issues. Discoloration, sores, and white spots can be warning signs of something more serious such as cancer or a vitamin deficiency.

Saliva is important because it helps wash away bacteria and aids in the remineralization of your teeth enamel! When your salivary glands aren’t functioning correctly, your mouth may be drier than usual, making it easier for infection-causing bacteria to create problems like gum disease and cavities.

3.)  Oral Cancer Screening

As scary as oral cancer might sound, having routine checkups can help prevent it from becoming serious and life-threatening. Your dentist looks for symptoms such as red or white patches, rough spots, or lesions on your lips and inside your mouth that don’t heal after two weeks. Regular dental visits increase the likelihood of detecting oral cancer early. This gives you a better chance of a successful treatment!

While routine checkups and cleanings are important for keeping your teeth cavity-free, there are many other factors that contribute to your mouth’s overall health. Don’t hesitate to call your dentist to keep your smile happy.

About the Author

Dr. Steven Oshins earned his dental degree from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. He is dedicated to providing his patients with the best care possible by continually pursuing his education, committing over 100 hours each year. With Dr. Oshins’s extensive knowledge and years of experience, he can provide a range of services to meet all your dental needs.

He is here for your routine checkups and cleanings so your smile can be as healthy as it can be. If you’re ready to let us take better care of your oral health, schedule an appointment or call us at (518) 356-5635.