What to Expect During A Gum Disease Exam
You suspect that you may have gum disease. You have done the responsible thing and made a dentist appointment. The dreaded day has arrived and you wonder what to expect at the visit. Knowing in advance what may happen during this visit may put your mind at ease.
Knowing that you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, your dentist will want to do a complete periodontal examination and probing to evaluate the health of your gums and teeth. During the exam your dentist will be looking for evidence of gingivitis, periodontitis or bruxism (tooth grinding), and other dental problems.
Your dentist will be looking for evidence of the following:
Lumps or lesions in the mouth
Changes in color of your gums, inner cheeks or tongue
Any loose or missing teeth
The color, shape, size and texture of your gums
The presence of any bridges, crowns, fillings, dentures or implants
The presence of plaque on your teeth
The space between your tooth and gum (sulcus)
To see if your gums bleed during probing
Any evidence of gum recession
How your teeth come together when you bite (occlusion)
The dentist may also take a dental x-ray to help him determine the extent and pattern of bone loss around each tooth. The x-rays allow the dentist to see crown of the tooth (top), and root of each tooth.
It is possible that the dentist may want to have a panoramic x-ray done to see all the important structures of your skull, including maxillary sinuses and jaw joints.
Your dentists will keep track of these measurements so that future measurements will tell him how well you are handling treatment and if you are responding well to treatment. Some dental offices can track these measurements by computer.
Part of the exam will involve looking at surfaces of the mouth visually and today many dentists use a tiny video camera that is placed in your mouth to do this.
After the exam your dentist will tell you the results of the exam and if there was evidence of gum disease. If you do have gum disease he will recommend a treatment plan that will include good oral hygiene and repair of any teeth that are in need of repair. Repair may be done by filling, crown, root canal or tooth extraction. If you have severe gum disease you may be referred to a Periodontist or oral surgeon.
If the exam reveals that you do not have gum disease your dentist or hygienist will explain ways that you can help to prevent gum disease.
Preventing gum disease:
1. Brush your teeth properly at least twice a day. After meals is prefered. Brushing will remove any plaque on the surfaces of your teeth. If plaque is left on your teeth it can harden and form calculus.
2. Use fluoride toothpaste to help prevent decay on the surfaces of your teeth.
3. Floss your teeth daily to remove the plaque that gets in between your teeth where brushing can’t clean.
4. Use an antimicrobial mouth rinse to help control the formation of plaque.
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