A dental examination is essential to maintaining your oral health—and only your dentist can perform it.

Part of the examination involves your dentist looking inside your mouth. In the past, you may not have realized that an examination was taking place. You may have thought the dentist was simply checking the hygienist’s work.

In fact, your dentist is looking for conditions that can affect your oral health and your overall health. These are often things you cannot see yourself, but that your dentist is trained to detect. A dental examination generally includes checking for:

• damaged, missing or decayed teeth
• early signs of tooth decay
• the condition of your gums, including periodontal pocket depth, inflammation or other signs of gum disease, which can lead to tooth or bone loss
• whether previous dental work—such as root canal treatments, fillings and crowns—is still in good condition
• early signs of oral and throat cancer, such as white lesions or blocked salivary glands
• other suspicious growths or cysts
• the position of your teeth, including spaces and your bite
• signs of teeth grinding or jaw clenching, which can cause headaches or jaw pain and, in severe cases, hearing or tooth loss
• signs of bleeding or inflammation on the tongue, roof of the mouth or floor of the mouth
• the health and function of the temporomandibular joints, which connect the jaw to the skull
• the general condition of the bones of the face, jaw and mouth

A dental examination can identify problems early—before you can see or feel them—when they are often easier and less costly to treat.

In addition to a visual inspection of your mouth, the examination includes a review of your medical history so that your dentist is aware of health conditions that could affect the success of dental treatment or be associated with oral health problems.

The examination may also include:

• an examination of the neck, during which the dentist checks the glands and lymph nodes for possible signs of inflammation that may indicate broader health concerns
• X-rays when needed. X-rays can reveal decay beneath existing fillings, impacted wisdom teeth, decay below the gumline and bone loss caused by gum disease

Your dentist will usually explain what is happening during the examination and review the findings with you. If not, be sure to ask questions. As a patient, you are a full partner in your dental care.

Points to Review

What to Tell Your Dentist

The more your dentist knows about your overall health, the better they can meet your oral health needs. Be sure to mention:

• any new medical condition diagnosed since your last visit, such as diabetes or HIV/AIDS, even if it does not seem relevant
• any new medication you are taking, since side effects can include dry mouth and enlarged gums
• whether you are pregnant
• any allergies
• changes you have noticed in your teeth, such as colour, looseness or position
• changes in your gums, such as bleeding during brushing or flossing, or changes in appearance
• increased sensitivity to heat, cold or sweet foods
• rough areas where dental floss catches or frays
• changes in the colour of the tissues inside your mouth
• whether you smoke or chew tobacco, which increases the risk of oral cancer
• tightness in your neck or jaw muscles, or whether you grind or clench your teeth
• anxiety about dental appointments—modern dentistry offers many ways to improve comfort, and discussing your concerns can help you feel more at ease

Adapted from the Canadian Dental Association, 2019.