When you head to the dental office for your six-month cleaning and checkups, you are likely expecting your hygienist to clean your smile and your dentist to stop by at the end and take a quick look. However, there is a lot more to your visit than just that. Your dentist is looking for all sorts of different signs and abnormalities that could indicate that something serious is going on. Here are some of the things that your dentist is doing.
Oral Cancer Screening
When you come to the dental office for regular cleanings and checkups, your dentist always keeps an eye out for signs of oral cancer. They will take a look at your lips, head, neck, and mouth tissues. Your dentist also checks for any abnormalities that could lead to oral cancer developing in the future. When oral cancer is caught early on, it is often times easy to treat. However, when neglected, it can turn deadly.
Examining Your Tongue
The size and surface of your tongue can tell you a lot about the health of your entire body. In order to make sure that everything is looking good, your dentist will examine the texture of the tongue and the size.
Inspecting Salivary Glands
Your dentist will look at your salivary glands to make sure they are producing enough saliva. This liquid coats your mouth to help wash away bacteria. If you don’t have enough saliva, you will become more prone to cavities, bacteria, infection, and halitosis.
Checking Your Tonsils
Dentists are always careful to look at the tonsils for signs of infection or swelling. Like the tongue, tonsils can tell a lot about health concerns that are present in the body.
Examining the Temporomandibular Joint
This is the joint that connects the jawbone and jaw together. It allows your mouth to open and close so you can chew and smile with ease. Your dentist will make sure that your joint and bite are working together the right way.
Providing Dental Education
There is an educational aspect to your appointment. Your dentist and hygienist will spend time teaching you about proper oral hygiene habits, brushing techniques, flossing, and why they’re all so important. This way, you can take this information home and apply it to your own oral hygiene routine.
There are numerous parts to your dental visit. Ultimately, your routine checkups are there to keep your smile and the rest of your body in excellent shape!
About the Practice
At EMA Dental, we have a team of 7 skilled dentists serving the Northampton community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need in one of our two convenient locations. For more information on dental checkups or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (413) 584-4900.