Dental Exams Dental exams are often met with a variety of emotions. We get some patients who are excited to see us regularly and love that freshly cleaned feeling they get after they leave our exam chair. Then we get other patients who would rather be doing anything else than schedule an appointment with us. The reality is that dental exams are a fantastic way to help keep your mouth and your smile healthy. During a dental exam, we can check everything in your mouth to make sure there are not any concerns like tooth decay that need to be immediately addressed. When we have a patient in our office here at Harmony Dental, we get excited because we know we are helping yet another wonderful person get their best and happiest smile ever. What Happens During a Dental Exam?Let me start this by saying that there is absolutely no reason to be afraid of us! Yes, we understand that you may hate the idea of coming to us, but our goal is always to make you feel comfortable and at ease during your appointment. Whether you cannot stand the sound of our handpiece (the drill), or you are afraid you will have to get shots, or you are anxious about what we may find when we examine your teeth, we want you to know that we will do everything in our power to keep you feeling safe and at ease when you are with us. Knowing what happens during a dental exam can help you feel calmer about what you will experience during your appointment at our office. One of the first things you will do at our office is to sit down with us to tell us if you have any complaints or concerns about your teeth or oral health. We will check those first during our initial examination of your mouth. Next, we will have our oral hygienist come in and start cleaning your teeth. This makes some of our patients a little bit nervous, but we assure you that it is not painful or dangerous. You may notice a little bit of discomfort or even bleed during this portion, but if your gums bleed, that may mean you need to step up your oral hygiene regimen at home. This part of the appointment includes a scaling (removing all buildup or calculus) from your teeth and flossing. We may also offer you a fluoride rinse to help strengthen your teeth. Next, we will take X-rays if it has been longer than two years since your last set of them. Again, this is safe. The amount of radiation you will get from this is less than the amount of radiation you would accumulate from a short, two-hour flight. This will let us assess the health of your teeth, gums, and bones in your mouth. If we notice any concerns, we will discuss them with you to come up with a treatment plan for them. This includes advising treatment if we observe any issues with your bite or if we notice any tooth decay. Let Us HelpRegular dental exams are extremely important to maintaining your oral health. We advise that our patients see us every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning. If it has been longer than six months since your last exam, please give us here at Harmony Dental a call today at (541) 246-3250! |
 Office Hours:Mon: 8am – 4:30pm Tue: 8am – 4:30pm Wed: 8am – 4:30pm Thu: 7:30am – 3:30pm Fri: By Appointment |
