Dental Exam Dental exams should be performed every six months. They are usually provided immediately following a routine dental cleaning. There are three main parts of the exam appointment: cleaning, x-rays, and exam. At New Life Dental, we provide thorough dental exams and oral cancer screenings to ensure the health of all of our patients. Following the exam, if you need any follow-up treatment, we will discuss the options with you.CleaningA dental cleaning is performed by our dental hygienist before our dentist comes to meet with you. Our dental hygienist will first scale your teeth in order to remove tartar and plaque build-up. A dental scaler is an instrument designed to scrape away debris from your teeth. After this, our dental hygienist will polish and floss your teeth. We use an electric toothbrush and textured toothpaste to buff out any stains from your teeth. Flossing ensures that we get any debris out from between your teeth. We use regular dental floss for this. Finally, we will administer fluoride if needed. Fluoride is typically not needed for adults, but it is an available treatment for patients of all ages. X-raysDental x-rays are provided once a year. There are a few different types of x-rays and we will explain the options to you when you call us. Some of these include bitewing, periapical, occlusal, panoramic, and cone-beam computerized technology. X-rays are completed for each side of the mouth so that we can get a full view of your dental structure. X-rays let us see signs of underlying disease or maldevelopment. We can then develop a treatment plan for you after our dentist examines your x-rays. ExamsThere are three main components of the dental exam. First, our dentist will check over the x-rays to determine if there are any concerns. Second, they will provide a thorough visual exam of your teeth and gums. At this point, they are checking for signs of gum disease, cavities, and other common issues. They will also check your bite to ensure that your teeth are properly aligned. Third, they will provide an oral cancer screening. We provide oral cancer screenings as a precaution for all of our patients. It does not necessarily mean that there is a concern. This is just a basic visual exam to check for lesions, abnormal growth or discoloration, and other symptoms. Our dentist will also feel your jaw and neck to determine if there are any unseen growths under the skin. If there are any signs of oral cancer, our dentist will discuss follow-up diagnostics with you. There are various tests used to determine for sure if the tissues are cancerous. Some of these are biopsy, additional x-rays, barium swallow, CAT/CT scan, PET scan, MRI, ultrasound, and other disease testing. At the conclusion of the exam, our dentist will explain some basic oral hygiene tips and you will also be scheduled for your next routine appointment. These tips include brushing and flossing on a daily basis and using mouth rinse if needed. For more information on dental exams, call New Life Dental at (227) 258-3188. |
 Office HoursMon-Thu: 8:00am - 5:00pm *Closed for lunch 12-1pm Mon, Tues, Thurs & 1-2pm Weds Fri: Closed |
