Dental Exams at Delgado Dental Group
Hello, everyone. My name is Dr. Alfonso Delgado from Delgado Dental Group, and I'm here to answer some questions about dental exams.
Why are dental exams and cleanings essential?
That's a really good question. It's basically maintenance. Just like you maintain your car by changing the oil and having a tune-up to ensure everything is working well, you want to have a dental exam and a cleaning every six months to a year. This lets us ensure your mouth is in good health, that no problems are starting to brew, and just to see you and say hi.
What is included in a dental exam?
Usually, that includes X-rays. Some people have reservations about X-rays, but I can assure you that the radiation amount given by modern-day X-ray units is very, very small. If you take an airplane flight, you'll get a much higher dose of radiation than from your dental checkup. X-rays allow us to see the structures underneath your gums and between your teeth to check for any disease processes starting, such as cavities or gum disease. Believe it or not, the dentist does not have X-ray vision, so we can't really see what's going on beneath the surface.
What types of recommendations might come from a dental exam?
It could be nothing—just keep doing what you're doing, thumbs up. It could be that you have a cavity, and you might need a filling, or it could be worse, like your gums deteriorating. In such cases, you might need what we call a more extensive gum treatment, like a deep cleaning or scaling and root planing. These are some of the things we might find from your dental exam.
How long does a full dental exam take?
That's a good question. It varies depending on the severity of what's going on in your mouth, but with the cleaning and the X-rays, you can expect the exam to be about an hour.
Are dental exams painful?
Are dental exams painful? Generally speaking, they're not painful at all. It's mostly taking X-rays and looking around the mouth. There could be some discomfort at times with the poking or the X-rays. In general, I would say the discomfort level is pretty low.
How can I schedule a dental exam?
To schedule your dental exam, give us a call at Delgato Dental Group and get on your path towards a healthy and happy smile.
If you live in or near Stockton, CA, and are looking for dental care, contact us at (209) 474-8888 to set an appointment. Our staff would love to talk with you!