What's Involved in an Oral Exam?

The goal of every visit is simple: that you leave smiling. But there’s more going on during a routine examination and clean than meets the eye. While each practice has its own way of doing things, the aim is the same, keeping your mouth healthy. Here’s what a typical visit involves.

Starting with your history

Most visits begin with a quick catch-up. What’s changed since last time? What medications are you taking? Do you have any concerns about your oral health? These questions aren’t just small talk, they flag things the dental team will keep in mind through the rest of your exam, so your care is tailored to you.

The examination

Once we’ve talked through your health history, the dentist performs a careful visual inspection of your mouth, teeth and surrounding tissues, often using an instrument called an explorer to check each tooth and spot anything of concern.

A thorough exam typically includes checking for tooth and root decay, evaluating gum health, assessing your bite and jaw, examining your face, neck, cheeks, lips and under the tongue for any abnormalities, and looking for signs of oral cancer. We’ll also chat about your lifestyle, diet and oral hygiene habits, and take X-rays if needed. It’s a whole-picture look, not just a glance at the teeth.

The professional clean

A thorough clean is an important part of the visit. Using a small mirror for guidance, the hygienist uses a scaler to remove plaque and tartar, that scraping sound you hear is the space between your teeth and gumline being cleaned. It’s often the least favourite part, but the good news is that tartar build-up is largely preventable with regular flossing.

With the teeth tartar-free, the hygienist polishes them with a high-powered brush and a slightly gritty paste, then finishes with flossing and a rinse. Professional cleans are generally recommended around twice a year.

Time for yours?

If it’s been a while since your last exam and clean, there’s no time like the present. Get in touch with TMJ Therapy Centre to book a visit, and leave us smiling.