Have you ever wondered what Dr. Mary Rose does during her exam?  This month Dr. Mary Rose discusses the importance of your hygiene exam

During your hygiene appointment, Dr. Mary Rose will do an exam to check for any areas of concern with your teeth.  She will inspect your gums, teeth, jaw and tongue as well as a head and neck examination. Below is a description of what will happen during your head and neck exam.

Examination of your gums:  Dr. Mary Rose will check the health of your gums.  She will be looking for signs of swelling and bleeding pockets. This will help her diagnose the potential of gum disease.

Examination of your tongue: Dr. Mary Rose will look for any color or texture changes that is a possible sign of a serious issue. 

Examination of your salivary glands: Dr. Mary Rose will check to make sure they are functioning correctly.  You are at an increased risk to cavities, infection & bad breath if your mouth is drier than normal.

Examination of your tonsils: Dr. Mary Rose will check your tonsils for signs of infection, irritation or tonsil stones.  Tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, are pebble-like formations when debris, fungi or bacteria gets trapped.  It can be made up of food particles, mucus, or germs.

Screening for unusually bad breath: Bad breath, or halitosis, can be caused by the foods you eat, poor dental habits or an underlying health issue.  Dr. Mary Rose will offer her advise on how to alleviate the issue.

Screening for oral cancer: Dr. Mary Rose will examine your mouth for any signs of oral cancer.  Early detection will allow you to have more time for successful treatment.

Examination of your neck: Dr. Mary Rose will exam your neck for any abnormalities.

Evaluation of your bite/checking for TMJ issues:  Dr. Mary Rose will check your bite for any signs of teeth misalignment or malocclusion.  She will check for evidence of teeth grinding or clenching.

Evaluation of your teeth: Dr. Mary Rose will look to see how your teeth fit together, look for wear, fractures and decay.

As you can see, your examination is very important.  Dr. Mary Rose is dedicated to giving you the best exam for your overall health and peace of mind.