Neglecting to go to a dentist for examinations is one of the worst things that you can do to your oral health. There are actually some dental problems that can affect other areas of your body when they are severe enough. No matter how long you have neglected your oral health, it is never too late to start going to a dentist for checkups. Make an appointment as soon as you can so a comprehensive dental examination can be performed to determine if you need any work done. Take a look at this article to learn about a few things that might be examined during the examination.

1. Past Dental Work

When your mouth is examined, the dentist will take a look at any past work that has been done to your mouth. For instance, if you ever had a cavity filled, the dentist will make sure the filling is still in good shape. If there are any crowns on your teeth, they will be examined as well in case they have become loose and need to be replaced.

2. The Strength of Your Jawbones

Your jawbones are the most important part of your mouth. The reason why is because you can't have teeth without jawbones to hold them in place. During your examination, the dentist will take an x-ray or other tests of your jawbones to make sure they are not weak. He or she might also attempt wiggling your teeth to see if they move, as it is a sign of weak jawbones.

3. Your Ability to Properly Bite

Your teeth will be examined visually so the dentist can see how they are positioned in your gums. The position of your teeth will basically let the dentist know if you have a bite problem to be concerned about. For instance, you can suffer from a condition called overbite that involves your top teeth protruding over the bottom ones. In such a case, you might need to get braces installed to align your teeth.

4. Problems with Your Gums

Your gums will be examined to make sure they are not infected. The dentist will look for signs of inflammation and bleeding. The color of your gums will also be examined. Your dentist will look for lumps on your gums in case you have a dental abscess. You must get a dental abscess treated fast because it is filled with toxins.

For more info about what to expect, contact a company like Bewick Keary DDS.