The Periodontal Exam
Q: Is a gum examination painful?
A: No, it is not painful. There could be some discomfort, but nothing near the discomfort of letting the disease progress and causing you to lose teeth.
The goal of the exam is to assess the health of your gums and the bone that supports your teeth. Your dentist will measure the depth of pockets between the gum and the tooth. He or she will use a narrow instrument called a periodontal probe, a ruler of sorts, and record the depth. Excessively deep pockets are a sign of the disease.
Your dentist will also note the extent of bleeding during the exam. Bleeding generally suggests inflammation. Swollen, red, and bleeding gums may be a sign of the disease.
Your dentist will also measure tooth mobility. The dentist will record all these observations not only to determine whether you have the beginnings of gum disease, but also to establish a baseline against which he can compare the results of future exams. Talk with your dentist about ways to keep your gums and teeth healthy.
If you, your family or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!
Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,
39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360.