Dental Exams in Daytona Beach, FL
Protect Your Stunning Smile at Daytona Elite Dental
Regular dental exams are a crucial part of maintaining good oral health. At Daytona Elite Dental in Daytona Beach, FL, Dr. Claudia Green and her team provide comprehensive dental exams to help patients achieve and maintain their best smiles.
With years of experience in preventative dentistry, Dr. Green ensures your oral health stays protected by detecting problems early. Call (386) 846-5755 to schedule your dental exam at our Daytona Beach dental office. Your teeth and gums will thank you!
What to Expect During Your Dental Exams
Dental History Review
Dr. Green will go over your health history, discuss any medications you’re taking, and ask about any concerns with your teeth and gums you may have. Being open with your medical history helps us best assess your oral health.
Oral Cancer Screening
Our Daytona Beach dentist will feel for lumps or irregular tissue changes in your neck, head, cheeks, and oral cavity that could indicate oral cancer. Regular oral cancer screenings are essential for early detection.
Assessment of Gum and Bone Health
Dr. Green will look for signs of periodontal disease, like gum inflammation and bone loss, which can indicate infection. Healthy gums should be pink and firm, not puffy or bright red.
Examination of Existing Restorations
Dr. Green will check prior dental work, like fillings, crowns, bridges, and implants, to ensure they’re intact and functioning. Let her know if you have any discomfort around these restorations.
Oral Hygiene Evaluation
Dr. Green will examine your teeth and gums for plaque, tartar, and cavities. She’ll also assess your brushing and flossing habits to determine if you need help improving your oral hygiene routines.
X-rays
Dental X-rays allow Dr. Green to detect cavities between teeth and infections in the bone that cannot be seen during a visual dental checkup. She may take bitewing, periapical, panoramic, or cone beam CT x-rays, depending on your individual needs.
Teeth Cleaning
A dental hygienist will clean your teeth to remove built-up plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums. This preventive measure helps avoid cavities and gum disease.
Why Regular Dental Exams Are Important
Regular dental exams, usually twice a year, are essential for protecting your oral and overall health. Maintaining your routine exam schedule helps patients create excellent oral health for years to come.
- Detect Early Signs of Decay: Small cavities or gum infections are much easier to treat when caught early. Waiting to receive treatment leads to more extensive, costly procedures.
- Assess Risk Factors: Dr. Green can evaluate habits like teeth grinding, diet, and medication side effects that raise your risk for oral diseases and create a prevention plan.
- Screen for Oral Cancer: Oral cancer screenings during dental checkups can detect cancer early when it’s most treatable. Survival rates are much higher when we catch it in the early stages.
- Analyze Gum Health: Periodontal exams allow Dr. Green to gauge the health of your gums and take steps to improve it if necessary. This helps avoid tooth loss.
- Identify Problems with Restorations: Checking old fillings, crowns, and bridges at exams ensures you aren’t developing secondary decay, cracks, or looseness that require replacement.
- Clean Away Plaque Buildup: Regular cleanings remove plaque that exams alone miss. This plaque causes cavities and gum inflammation when allowed to remain on teeth.
- Provide Overall Health Insights: Since oral health is tied to whole-body health, Dr. Green can sometimes detect signs of diseases like diabetes during thorough exams.
- Establish a Dental Home: Seeing the same dentist regularly allows you to build a relationship and receive coordinated, continual care based on your unique needs.
How to Prepare for Your Routine Dental Exams
A bit of preparation before your dental exam helps it go smoothly:
- Brush and Floss: Properly cleaning your teeth and gums the day before and the day of removes plaque and tartar that can obscure small problems.
- Note Medication and Supplements: Make a list of all medications and supplements to inform Dr. Green of anything that could interact with dental treatment.
- Reflect On Symptoms: Jot down any oral health symptoms you’ve noticed, like tooth sensitivity or bad breath, so you remember to mention them.
- Provide Medical Updates: Alert Dr. Green to any major changes in your health or family history since your last visit. These may alter your treatment.
- Arrive Early: Give yourself extra time for paperwork so you don’t feel rushed.
- Relax: Dental anxiety is common, but remember, Dr. Green’s office staff is trained to help you stay comfortable during your exam. Take some deep breaths and know you’re in good hands.
- Ask Questions: Don’t be shy about asking Dr. Green or the dental hygienist anything on your mind. They’re there to educate you and want you to feel informed.
- Be Honest: Give Dr. Green accurate information about your habits, symptoms, and concerns so she can provide the best care possible. There’s no judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, regular dental exams are crucial even if you’re symptom-free. They allow your dentist to spot issues like cavities and gum disease in the early stages before you notice any symptoms. Catching problems early is key to minimally invasive treatment.
A thorough exam generally takes 45 to 60 minutes. Simple exams may take only 30 minutes, while initial visits or exams for patients with many oral health issues may take up to 90 minutes.
Exams shouldn’t be painful. You may experience slight discomfort from probes checking for gum disease or cold testing for tooth sensitivity. Let your dentist know if you experience any pain, so they can adjust as needed. Letting your dentist know if you experience discomfort may help them diagnose and treat the problem.
Not necessarily. Your dentist will determine if X-rays are needed based on your risk factors, how long it’s been since your last full-mouth set of X-rays, and any new symptoms you’re experiencing. Your dental team will strive to limit radiation exposure.
Experience Dr. Green’s Expertise at Daytona Elite Dental
Keeping up with regular dental exams ensures the healthiest smile possible. At Daytona Elite Dental, Dr. Claudia Green and her skilled team make exams comfortable, convenient, and informative.
Call (386) 846-5755 to schedule your dental exam in Daytona Beach, FL. We’re happily accepting new and returning patients from Ormond Beach and the surrounding areas of Holly Hill, Port Orange, and Wilbur-By-The-Sea, FL.
