7 Things You Didn’t Know Your Dentist Was Doing at Your Checkup

All the top dentists in Cincinnati tell you to get a regular checkup and cleaning every 6 months. It’s critical to your dental health — the best way to spot dental needs early before they fester into a serious tooth crown pain or other dental emergency. At our dental office in Sharonville, we are giving your teeth a deep cleaning, scraping off tartar from the teeth and surrounding gums, and we’re looking for potential issues — cavities, gum disease, cracked fillings, etc.

But we’re actually doing a lot more than that. We do everything we can to ensure you get your money’s worth. (Or actually your insurance company gets their money’s worth, since routine cleanings and checkups are routinely or substantially covered by most insurance companies.

1. Smell Your Breath

Bad breath doesn’t just make you not such a great kisser. It’s actually a pretty important indicator of all sorts of dental and other health problems. If your breath smells persistently bad, it could be a sign of gum disease, tooth decay, or a dental appliance that hasn’t been fitted properly.

It might also point to other health problems such as diabetes, liver or kidney problems, or bronchitis or pneumonia.

2. Look for Oral Cancer

While it’s of course no substitute for a more thorough medical exam, we will check your mouth, neck, head and lips for early signs of oral cancer. We’ll look for blocked salivary glands, white lesions, sores or ulcers in the mouth that don’t heal.

3. Look for Gum Disease

We’ll naturally check your gums for signs of gum disease. Periodontal disease can have a much more optimistic prognosis if caught in the early stages. We’ll also look for and clean plaque and tartar (calculus) within the deep spaces between teeth and gums.

4. Check for Signs of Diabetes

Gum problems could be an indication of diabetes. People who suffer Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes have a weakened ability to fight infection, which makes their gums more prone to disease. We’ll check your gums for that might be signs of diabetes. If we suspect this is the case, we’ll refer you to other tests. Again, the earlier we spot the disease, the better the treatment options and the more optimistic the prognosis.

5. Check Your Enamel

Enamel is the protective layer that covers your tooth. Fortunately, it just so happens to be the strongest tissue in your body — but it’s not invincible. It’s susceptible to cracks, chip, or decay. If you grind your teeth excessively, enamel can also wear out through a process known as attrition.

6. Examine Your Dentin

Dentin is the layer of your teeth beneath enamel. It’s made up of small tubules which transmit nerve signals through the tooth. If your enamel wears out, these tubules become exposed, which can make your teeth sensitive to hot, cold and acidic foods or drinks. We’ll examine your dentin through a digital X-ray.

7. Examine Your Bite

We’ll also take a look teeth alignment and bite to ensure everything aligns properly. A misaligned bite may lead to TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) disorder. This can be addressed through orthodontia, including braces.

8. Examine Your Tongue

We always take a good look at your tongue. A healthy tongue is pink and covered with small bumps. While most tongue problems (discoloration, sores, excessive bumps, or pastiness) are nothing serious and tend to heal on their own, some can actually be quite serious. Tongue issues could even be signs of cancer or AIDS. It’s always good to have these sores looked at by a professional to make sure.