I never had an exam like that before. I was coming in to see if I had cavities, but you checked my gums, tongue, neck , jaw joint, my bite and a bunch of other things as well. Why do you check all that?

Having no cavities does not necessarily mean your mouth is healthy. Seventy percent of all Americans over 30 have some form of periodontal disease. That percentage hasn’t changed in thirty years! Either the message isn’t being heard or the profession isn’t checking for it! It’s easy to prevent and simple to cure when it is in its early phase. Otherwise it is the most common cause of tooth loss. Everyone needs to be checked for it!

The risk for oral cancer is on the rise. If I don’t check for it, who will?Checking how teeth function can reveal the source of tooth wear and shifting. Malocclusion can also cause head and jaw pain. Bite problems can be more destructive than cavities. Like a lot of things, they’re easy to fix when detected early. After the teeth are worn down its a bit more involved. A comprehensive exam is not needed every time you see the dentist but it should be done periodically. When was the last time you had one?