Important things your dentist might ask and why

1. Clinical history taking

• It is the critical FIRST STEP in determining the cause of the patient's illness.
• It enables the doctor to prepare a proper treatment plan according to the patient's chief complaint.

2. Medical history

• Precautionary measures are sometimes indicated as in patients on aspirin should discontinue before the removal of teeth.
• Some dental treatments may affect the patient's systemic health
• Allow the dentist to evaluate the risks and avoid the possible complications.
• Important for ethical and legal aspects in dentistry.
• Prevents the dentist and the patient against the potential risks and complications arising during the dental treatments especially in patients with hypertension,diabetes,asthma,allergy,epilepsy.

3. Intra Oral examination

• Your dentist will look for any cavities, issues with your gums and do an oral cancer screening.
• It is important to monitor for cavities and catch them as early as possible.
• Allow the dentist to evaluate the risks and reduce possible complications

4. Investigatiioins

Dental x-rays are images of your teeth that your dentist uses to evaluate your oral health

• Intra oral periapical radiograph and opg
• Periapical radiograph show the whole tooth to beyond the root where the tooth attaches into the jaws.

• Opg show the entire mouth area-all the teeth in both upper and lower jaw.your dentist may use to check your wisdom teeth plan for implanted dental devices or investigate jaw problems.

RISKS OF DENTAL X RAYS

• Dental x-rays do involve radiation
• Exposed levels are so low that they are safe for children and adults.
• It is mostly avoided in pregnant women.
  

5. BIOPSIES

Biopsies are indicated in the following conditions:

• A sore in the mouth that doesn't heal
• Persistent mouth pain
• A lump or thickening in the cheek
• A white or red patch on the gums,tongue,tonsil,or lining of the mouth.
• Difficulty in moving the jaw or tongue.

6. WHAT IS ORAL ULCER?

These are one or more painful sores on inner lips, gums, tongue, roof of the mouth or throat that may interfere with eating.

• Common cause:burns,biting the tongue or cheeks,eating acidic foods,vitamin deficiency,stress,
• Traumatic ulcers:sharp edge of denture or a broken tooth causes traumatic ulcer on tongue or buccal mucosa.
• if the cause of the ulcer is removed,it heals within 7-10 days.

7. RADIATION HAZARDS

The amount of radiation received from dental radiography is so low that it is highly unlikely that it results in a measurable risk. Brain exposure from head CT examinations is typically in the range of 43-75 mGy, far more than from dental radiography.

X RAY PROTECTION

Follow the the ALARA principle,keep the the exposure

As

Low

As

Reasonably

Achievable

In dentistry low level of radiation is used which cause few cell damage but even low level of radiation exposure over a prolonged period of time may cause potential hazards to health.

x-rays is an ionizing radiation that is capable of initiating and producing damage to body cells as well as carcinogenic and genetic change.

Radiation

Regular dental checkups can detect small changes in your oral cavity that can signal a problem that could become more serious in the future.

So get your teeth checked once in 6 months.