Preventative Care

Dental Exams and Check-Ups

How Important is Oral Hygiene?

Oral hygiene is necessary for eliminating bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria builds to form plaque that can harden and lead to long-term ailments such as gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease, and periodontal disease if it is not removed. A good dental care routine and regular check ups will keep your mouth healthy and prevent inflammation, infection, decay, and tooth loss.

Why Get a Dental Exam?

Dental exams give us the opportunity to evaluate your current methods of dental care and provide suggestions for future care in order to protect you from complications such as cavities and gum disease. They also allow us to detect problems early so they can be fixed quickly and easily.

How Often Should You Get a Dental Exam?

Dental exams should generally take place every six months. However, consult with our team to decide how often you should be examined, for we may suggest that you visit more frequently based on factors such as smoking, frequency of cavities and genetic susceptibility to tooth and root decay as well as gum disease.

What Can I Expect From a Dental Exam?

Your initial dental exam with our team is focused on establishing a baseline for your current oral health. During this exam, dental x-rays will be performed to provide information regarding health of the bone supporting the teeth, status of wisdom teeth, checking for cavities between teeth and infection at the root ends of the teeth. Our team believes in helping you understand the conditions of your teeth and gums and utilizes photography to help you “see what we see.” Following the imaging portion of the dental exam is the head and neck exam. This involves evaluating various muscles, salivary glands, and lymph nodes for any tension, tenderness, or pain that may be a sign of dysfunction within the chewing system. Moving to the inside of the mouth we will closely evaluate the health of your gums, complete and oral cancer exam, note any pre-existing dentistry, and visually check for signs of tooth decay. Following the gathering of this information, we will review our findings with you side-by-side and discuss and treatment options or recommendations indicated to help you achieve the level of oral health that you desire.

How Can You Prepare For a Dental Exam?

The best way to prepare for a dental exam is to practice good dental care. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day is recommended. Be sure to clean your teeth before you arrive at your appointment. Our team will be cleaning your teeth for you, but it is helpful to remove food and plaque beforehand so we can focus on the more difficult-to-clean areas. You also want to make sure you are prepared to share pertinent information such as your medical history, insurance coverage and current dental care methods with us. Don’t be embarrassed to be honest about your oral health habits – our team is not here to judge you, but to work with you to improve your habits and ensure dental health! Lastly, be prepared to schedule a follow-up appointment or future check-up at the end of your dental exam.

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Our vision as a dental office is to provide our patients with trust, confidence and a positive, relaxing experience. We are focused and committed to our patients and we won’t settle for anything less than excellence.

Contact Us

801 Mt. Rushmore Rd. Ste. 201, Rapid City, SD 57701

frontdesk@mtbrushmore.com

(605) 341-1895

Tuesday-Thursday:

8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Fridays: 8:30 am-3:00 pm

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