Dental Exam in Orlando, FL

To keep yourself healthy, you need to be proactive with dental problems by having them diagnosed and treated before they become painful issues. This is why it is important to schedule routine dental examinations for you and your family. While teeth are examined superficially during a cleaning, a dental examination provides a much more in-depth analysis. Dental exams at Orlando Advanced Dentists evaluate your comprehensive oral health by checking for tooth decay, gum disease, and signs of oral cancer. Cosmetic and general dentist Dr. Patricia Roach will determine your need for treatments and evaluate your bite and jaw for problems or concerns. A series of diagnostic x-rays may be taken to allow Dr. Roach to gain better insight into the health of your teeth, jawbone, and other oral structures. If you live in or near Lake Mary, FL, schedule a comprehensive dental examination at Orlando Advanced Dentists today to learn more about any oral health needs you may have.

Oral cancer includes any abnormal cell growth in the mouth, including within the gums, lips, cheeks, hard and soft palates, jawbone, tongue, salivary glands, and throat. Every exam at Orlando Advanced Dentists includes an oral cancer screening to look for early signs of precancerous or cancerous conditions that may present as sores, lumps, or lesions in or around the mouth. Dr. Roach will also palpate the jaw and neck to screen for abnormalities. If any areas of concern are found, a biopsy may be performed or you will be referred to a specialist for further care.

Lake Mary, FL patients of all ages should have routine dental examinations completed on an annual basis. Many common issues, like gum disease (the leading cause of tooth loss), may not have symptoms that are noticeable or obvious. When dental issues are caught early, you will have more treatment options and a better chance at a full recovery.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children go to the dentist before their first birthday. Dr. Roach can help with concerns, like teething, using pacifiers, and baby bottle tooth decay. The team at Orlando Advanced Dentists can talk to you about how to care for and clean your child's mouth so they start healthy habits early — this will also help them throughout their life. Dental exams are also vital for children as they get older and as their mouths develop.

Your exam will start with an overall evaluation of your teeth, tongue, gums, throat, the inside of your cheeks, the roof of your mouth, and other oral checkpoints. This includes looking for signs of oral cancer or any other abnormalities. Dr. Roach will screen for gum disease to evaluate for this progressive condition. Using the latest in technology, we will take digital x-rays and use our intraoral camera to capture real-time images of your mouth. Your head, neck, and jaw, including your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and bite, will also be evaluated. Committed to state-of-the-art care, Dr. Roach will utilize our DIAGNOdent™ cavity detector during your exam, a laser tool that uses fluorescence to detect hidden or early decay within the teeth. She will discuss any health concerns you have, along with prescriptions and supplements you may be taking, and how they might impact your oral health by causing dry mouth, increasing the risk of tooth decay. Finally, any prosthetics that are present in your mouth, like crowns and dentures, will be examined to check the fit and wear. Once your dental exam is complete, Dr. Roach will talk with you about any issues she found and how to best treat your dental needs.

How soon you need to return for care will depend on your oral health. If Dr. Roach does not identify any concerns, then the only follow-up plan necessary would be to continue a regular dental health regimen. This includes brushing and flossing twice a day along with annual dental exams and biannual cleanings at Orlando Advanced Dentists. If Dr. Roach does see something that needs treatment, your options will be discussed and your visits scheduled accordingly.

Keeping your mouth healthy means more than simply visiting the dentist only when something goes wrong. It is very important for your health and smile to seek preventive dental care regularly. Routine care from a skilled general dentist can save your mouth from greater oral problems and minimize treatment costs in the long run. We recommend visiting Dr. Roach at Orlando Advanced Dentists at least once a year for dental examinations. Doing so can enable you to stay on top of concerns by treating them early. Contact our office in Orlando, FL today to schedule your comprehensive dental exam with our friendly, caring team.