Why get a dental exam and what to expect

Why get a dental exam and why it should be part of your preventative healthcare routine?

Your oral health and overall health are closely related. Along with regular physical exams, regular dental exams should be part of your preventative healthcare routine. Gum disease has been associated with diabetes, tooth loss can be related to pregnancy and the everyday stressors in your life can cause dry mouth syndrome and other dental problems. The American Dental Association recommends patients see a dentist every six months for a complete dental exam. Regular dental exams allow Dr. Aaron Lee to monitor the overall health of your teeth, treat problems, and even catch problems before they get worse. To schedule a dental exam with Downtown Concord Dental today.

What can I expect from a dental exam?

At a typical dental exam, our team will thoroughly clean your teeth, removing any surface stains or deposits, called tartar or calculus, that are more difficult to remove than plaque and require the assistance of professional dental instruments. We will also check for signs of decay or gum disease. An X-ray may be performed to provide a more detailed summary of your oral health and to more closely identify any problems. We will ask you questions about your current methods of dental care, such as how often you brush your teeth, and floss, as well as whether you use toothpaste with fluoride. With this information in mind, we will demonstrate proper dental care and provide suggestions on how to improve your habits to promote optimal oral health.

What happens during a dental exam?

During your exam at Downtown Concord Dental, your dental professional will be checking for cavities, gum disease, and tooth and root decay. They can address broken teeth, enamel erosion, and problems you may have with your bite during the dental exam. If it has been more than a year since your last dental exam you will receive a complete set of X-Rays. Your dental exam is not complete until you receive a professional cleaning to remove plaque and any tartar build-up. At the conclusion of the dental exam, your Downtown Concord Dental professional will design a treatment plan for you based on what was found during the dental exam.

Downtown Concord Dental participates with CareCredit and most major dental plans and can assist you in understanding your benefits before or after your exam. Even if you do not have dental insurance, there are many payment options available to help you stay on top of regular dental exams and checkups.

How can you prepare for a dental exam?

The best way to prepare for a dental exam is to practice good dental care. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day is recommended. Be sure to clean your teeth before you arrive at your appointment. Our team will be cleaning your teeth for you, but it is helpful to remove food and plaque beforehand so we can focus on the more difficult-to-clean areas. You also want to make sure you are prepared to share pertinent information such as your medical history, insurance coverage and current dental care methods with us. Don’t be embarrassed to be honest about your oral health habits – our team is not here to judge you, but to work with you to improve your habits and ensure dental health! Lastly, be prepared to schedule a follow-up appointment or future check-up at the end of your dental exam.

Our patient forms are available online so you can complete them at your leisure, saving you time waiting in our office and giving you time to carefully review our policies and procedures. Please print and fill out these forms so we can expedite your first visit.

See our reviews to see how Dentist Dr. Aaron Lee and the Downtown Concord Dental team have helped SF East Bay patients to meet their individual dentistry needs. We provide comprehensive treatment planning and use restorative and cosmetic dentistry to achieve your optimal dental health. If you need a dentist in Concord, read reviews on DemandForce about the best dentist in Concord Dentist Dr. Aaron K. Lee, DDS.

Call us at 925-566-8738 today to schedule your dental exam. Whether it has been six months or six years since your last exam Downtown Concord Dental can help you with all your oral healthcare needs.