Dental Exam in Friendswood, TX

Keeping your family's smiles happy and healthy can go a long way in supporting overall health and wellness. Healthy teeth and gums not only help to generate an attractive smile, but they can also reduce your risk of experiencing a range of general medical concerns. At Made Ya Smile Dental, general dentist Dr. Peter Nishino and our team of professionals encourage you to remain proactive about your family's dental health and oral hygiene and to schedule routine dental visits to keep your smiles in the best possible shape. Dental exams with our Friendswood, TX team provide the opportunity to identify problems, like gum (periodontal) disease and tooth decay, early on to preserve your oral structures and minimize your treatment needs. Dr. Nishino is very thorough when performing annual dental exams and carefully evaluates for cavities, periodontal problems, bite issues, TMJ health, and other conditions to may be impacting your comfort and smile. Oral cancer exams are also part of our comprehensive dental examinations.

Your concerns about your dental health and the appearance of your smile matter a great deal to us. Dr. Nishino and our team will take time to listen to what you have to say about your smile and understand your dental needs so that we can personalize your treatment results. Whenever possible, we use the most minimally invasive diagnostic tools and techniques, including intraoral cameras, 3D cone beam imaging, and low-radiation digital x-rays. This approach will help us to identify any oral health needs that are not readily apparent when we look into your mouth with the least amount of impact on your body. At Made Ya Smile Dental, we love creating happy and healthy smiles for patients of all ages. We welcome your family to contact our friendly practice today to schedule your family's dental exams.

Oral cancer can occur anywhere in the mouth, including the gums, throat, cheeks, lips, tongue, soft and hard palates, salivary glands, and the floor of the mouth and impacts more than 50,000 individuals every year. To identify and diagnose oral cancer as early as possible, Dr. Nishino performs an oral cancer exam during each comprehensive dental examination. He will use an advanced oral cancer screening system, as well as visually examine all areas of your mouth and palpate the soft tissues of your neck and face.

Signs and symptoms of precancerous or cancerous oral cancer concerns may include:

• Sores that do not heal or bleed easily

• Rough or raised areas

• White or red patches

• Dark or discolored spots

• Nodules or lumps

Though we routinely conduct oral cancer exams for our patients, we do encourage you to perform your own self-oral cancer evaluations on a periodic basis at home. Any areas that appear to be abnormal, suspicious, precancerous, or cancerous may be biopsied or further evaluated by an oral and maxillofacial specialist. Get in touch with our Friendswood, TX practice right away if you have areas in your mouth that show any of these signs or symptoms.

Annual dental evaluations performed at Made Ya Smile in Friendswood, TX allow for several advantages for oral wellness. A few of the most common benefits include:

• Early identification of dental concerns
• Preventive treatment and maintenance
• Prolonging the well-being of your smile
• Enhanced oral hygiene
• Individualized oral guidance
• Breath-freshening effects
• Reduced risk of tooth loss
• Knowledge about correct brushing and flossing methods
• Ability to conduct x-rays or other diagnostic services

Annual dental exams should be completed for all patients and often take place during one of your routine or biannual cleaning appointments with our team. Comprehensive exams include a thorough evaluation to check for cavities, bite problems, gum disease, damaged or loose fillings, worn or chipped teeth, and TMJ issues. Not all dental problems present with signs or symptoms. Even if your teeth and gums feel fine, there may still be oral concerns that could affect the health, comfort, and appearance of your smile, such as periodontal disease. Routine dental exams from Dr. Nishino can often help you get ahead of oral problems while they are still small, saving you time and additional expenses down the road.

According to the ADA (American Dental Association), children should visit the dentist before their first birthday. Dr. Nishino can also offer information and guidance on tooth and jaw development, baby bottle tooth decay, thumb-sucking, pacifier use, and other concerns that you may have as a parent. Our caring team will also give you tips on the best way to clean your child's gums and teeth and take care of them properly during the developmental stages. Made Ya Smile Dental is a kid-friendly practice and is ready to help you give your child a great foundation for a happy and healthy smile.

At the start of your comprehensive dental examination, Dr. Nishino will review your dental and medical histories and ask you about any medications or supplements that you are currently taking. He will also give you the chance to share information on any symptoms you are having, your dental concerns, and how you feel about your smile. To allow us to screen for hidden concerns that are not visible when we look into your mouth, we will take low-radiation digital x-rays or 3D cone beam scans of your mouth and jaw. X-rays are typically taken each year and as needed and can show decay between teeth, cysts or abscesses in the jaw, and bone loss, along with other dental problems.

After screening for oral cancer and evaluating the health and function of your jaw joints (TMJ), he will then use an exploration instrument to carefully evaluate each tooth for cavities and to check for decay or damage around the margins of any restorations, such as dental crowns and fillings. Dentures, dental implants, and cosmetic restorations will also be examined to make sure they are still supporting your oral health. Dr. Nishino or a member of our hygiene team will perform a screening for gum disease. To help you better understand any oral conditions and treatment needs that you may have, we may use our intraoral camera to take high-definition pictures of concerning areas within your mouth.

Dr. Nishino uses his clinical findings, x-rays, and gum disease screening results to identify and diagnose any oral problems that may be affecting your health and smile. Based on your unique needs, he will tailor any treatment recommendations to help restore your oral health and create a beautiful and comfortable smile. At Made Ya Smile Dental, we strive to make sure your treatment is comprehensive and personalized to help keep your smile in the best possible shape from year to year.

To help our patients keep their smiles looking their best, our team usually performs yearly dental examinations at one of the biannual cleaning visits at our Friendswood, TX family practice. Some dental exams, however, may be necessary at varying intervals or when needed to address specific concerns or to meet the oral health needs of individual patients. The best way to help keep your oral health in top shape between exam visits is through an excellent home care routine of brushing and flossing each day. When you are here for your exam and cleaning visits, we will be sure to show you the most effective techniques for keeping your teeth and gums healthy and strong. Any areas that may need a little more care at home will also be pointed out to you. Dr. Nishino and our entire team look forward to being your partner in creating healthy and lasting smiles for you and your loved ones.

Most dental insurance plans cover preventive services, like comprehensive dental exams, at least once each year. Before your visit, a member of our business staff will get in touch with your provider to learn all about your coverage details. Made Ya Smile Dental in Friendswood, TX is pleased to help all patients get the quality care they need for a healthy lifestyle. Our practice is participating provider for most PPO plans and offers a range of easy payment options to help you cover any personal costs. We also offer a convenient in-house dental savings plan for those who do not have dental insurance. For more information, talk to our friendly team today.

How long will my dental exam take?
A dental exam typically takes around 30 – 60 minutes to complete, depending on the state of your oral health. Your exam may take longer if you have had significant changes in your oral health, as your dentist will need to collect information and create the proper treatment plan.

Are dental exams painful?
You should not experience any significant discomfort during your dental exam and any x-rays taken. At Made Ya Smile, our team utilizes state-of-the-art technology and advanced techniques to ensure our patients experience little to no discomfort during their visit to our office.

What should I do to prepare for a dental exam?
It is recommended that patients maintain a proper oral hygiene routine in between dental appointments. Before you arrive at our office for your dental exam, we recommend brushing your teeth. You may also want to refrain from eating or drinking for an hour before your appointment. Feel free to bring up any dental concerns you may have with our team during your exam.

All patients deserve to enjoy happy, healthy, and comfortable smiles. Annual dental exams from Dr. Nishino and our Made Ya Smile Dental team can help you and your family maintain better oral and overall health by getting ahead of oral concerns while they are still in the early stages. Our comprehensive approach to helping all patients optimize their dental health can minimize the need for more extensive future care and save time and money along the way. Even if your teeth and gums feel fine, we still encourage you to have routine dental exams as some oral condition can grow and impact your oral health without presenting obvious signs or symptoms. To keep your smile healthy as possible, partner with our caring Friendswood, TX team and schedule your comprehensive dental examination today.