Dental Exams in Springfield, OR

Regular dental exams are a must for maintaining good oral health.  Dental exams are non-invasive and are not painful, so there is no reason to avoid them.  Here are some important facts about dental exams:

Dental Exams – What to Expect

1. Your first dental exam with Dr. Dow involves a discussion about your medical and dental history so that the doctor is fully informed.
2. The next step is typically dental x-rays, which reveal any dental problems that are not easily visible. The doctor will also perform a hands-on examination to evaluate the condition of your teeth and gums.
3. Following the examination, the dentist will go over the results with you and decide next steps if any are needed. If there are multiple dental procedures needed, a treatment plan will be created for you.  A professional dental cleaning may also be recommended to remove plaque and tartar build-up.
4. The last phase of the exam involves a series of recommendations to improve your oral health. Instructions about proper brushing and flossing are common, especially when the existing routine is not satisfying.
5. During the subsequent exams, the dentist may not go through all the steps mentioned above, since they already have a medical record of your health conditions. Instead, they will check the problem areas to record their progress. Also, they will provide you feedback on the way you implemented their recommendations and suggest further improvements or changes in the daily dental care routine.

How often should you go to the dentist?

Dental exams are best done every six months. Six months is the average time span between two exams, but depending on your dental health Dr. Dow may increase or decrease the number of annual exams. For example, if your teeth and gums are in good condition, and there is no significant plaque build-up in-between visits the dentist may agree to one annual exam.

On the other hand, high-risk patients may need to increase the number of annual exams to three or even four. People who fall in this category are:

• Patients who smoke or chew tobacco
• Pregnant women
• Patients with diabetes
• Patients who suffer from gum diseases
• Patients with abnormal plaque and tartar build-up
• Persons with low immunity to infections.

Your exam frequency should be discussed with the dentist, for a personalized approach. Visit us for dental exams to save yourself the pain of infections or other serious problems. We promise to maintain healthy teeth and give you a perfect smile. The importance of dental exams can never be over-emphasized.