Routine Dental Exams

Routine Dental Examination Services

Keep up with your oral health with the help of the dental experts at Athens Dental Services Inc. We specialize in routine checkups and general dental services for patients of all ages.

Even if you follow a diligent home care routine, regular checkups with a dental professional are still important. Your dentist at Athens Dental Services Inc will watch for early signs of decay, gum disease, oral cancer, or other dental problems. We can also spot clues to whether oral problems you may experience are actually symptoms of other diseases in the body. 

At routine appointments, we'll professionally clean your teeth to rid them of calcified plaque, also known as calculus or tartar, that builds up over time in hard-to-reach places. Your general visit will also include an exam and possible X-rays. We'll discuss your health history, including past dental problems, allergies, medication use, drug reactions, recent illnesses, and chronic diseases.

Two checkups per year are sufficient for most people, but if you have unique problems or are at high risk for conditions such as periodontal disease, we may recommend you come in as frequently as every three months.

Athens Dental Services Inc has over 40 years of experience you can trust. Call us today to schedule your next routine dental exam. We will file all dental insurance claims, so you don't have to worry about it!

Dental Checkups at Athens Dental Services Inc

At Athens Dental Services Inc, we begin with your appointment with our professional teeth cleaning service. During the cleaning, the dentist or hygienist will use a small metal instrument with a blade-like edge called a scaler to scrape tartar from above and below the gum line. On some occasions, we may use an ultrasonic device to shake loose plaque and then rinse it away with a gentle stream of water. 

We will then polish your teeth with a lightly abrasive paste and will finish the cleaning portion of your exam with flossing. The now-smooth surface of your tooth makes it more difficult for plaque to accumulate between appointments.

After your teeth are clean, we will then examine them for signs of decay using a metal probe and a small, angled mirror. We'll check for abnormal swelling, redness, and deep gingival pockets, which are all signs of gum disease. Your dentist will also test how your upper and lower teeth come together while also looking for evidence of tooth grinding or problems with the temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. 

When we finish checking your teeth, we will examine your neck, lymph glands, palate, and the soft tissues of your mouth, including your cheeks, tongue, lips, and the floor of your mouth for signs of infection or oral cancer, especially if you are 35 or older. Early detection of oral cancer is important, so in addition to your biannual appointment, you may also want to perform a monthly self-exam, particularly if you are at high risk.