Dental exams are an essential part of maintaining excellent oral health throughout your life. However, the examination process goes far beyond simply checking your teeth—it’s a comprehensive evaluation that identifies potential problems early, screens for serious conditions like oral cancer, and provides insights into your overall health.
At Tharp, Klaus, & Kelly Dental Clinic, our experienced Flowood team combines advanced diagnostic technology with thorough clinical examination to catch issues before they become serious, saving you from costly treatments and unnecessary discomfort down the road.
Overdue for your dental exam and cleaning? Contact our Flowood dentist by calling 601-939-4100. We proudly serve patients from Jackson, Pearl, Brandon, and throughout central Mississippi.
What sets our Flowood dental exams apart is the sophisticated diagnostic technology we employ to evaluate your oral health with unprecedented precision.
Our CBCT (cone-beam computed tomography) imaging provides three-dimensional views of your teeth, bone structure, and surrounding tissues—revealing problems that traditional X-rays might miss. This advanced imaging helps us detect hidden infections, evaluate bone density for potential implants, and plan complex treatments with exceptional accuracy.
Digital intraoral scanners capture detailed images of your oral structures, allowing us to show you exactly what we’re seeing on chairside monitors. This visual communication helps you understand treatment recommendations and make informed decisions about your care. Our SICAT software and digital workflow integrate all diagnostic information, creating comprehensive records that track changes over time and support precise treatment planning.
Regular dental examinations provide benefits that extend far beyond cavity detection, protecting both your oral health and overall well-being.
Regular dental exams allow Drs. Tharp, Klaus, and Kelly to catch problems like cavities, periodontal infection, cracked teeth, or tooth decay before they escalate into painful emergencies. Early intervention through simple dental fillings or conservative treatments saves you from root canals, tooth extractions, or other costly procedures down the road. This proactive approach preserves your natural teeth longer and keeps treatment expenses manageable.
Gum disease, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss and even impact your cardiovascular health through inflammation that affects your entire body. During your exam, we check carefully for signs of gingivitis or periodontitis, evaluating gum tissue health, pocket depths, and bone levels. Catching periodontal disease early allows for non-surgical treatment that reverses damage before it becomes permanent, protecting both your smile and your systemic health.
Our dentists perform thorough oral cancer screenings during routine dental exams, checking for abnormal tissues, lesions, color changes, or suspicious areas throughout your mouth, throat, and neck. Early detection of oral cancer significantly improves survival outcomes—from below 50% for late-stage detection to over 80% when caught early. These potentially life-saving screenings take just minutes but provide protection against a disease that affects over 54,000 Americans annually.
Your mouth serves as a window to your body’s overall health. Conditions like diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune disorders, and even stress can manifest through oral symptoms that our experienced team recognizes during examinations. We may identify signs of systemic diseases before you’ve experienced other symptoms, allowing for earlier medical intervention. Additionally, we coordinate with your other healthcare providers when oral findings suggest underlying health issues requiring attention.
Dental exams include assessment of your bite alignment, jaw joint function, and signs of teeth grinding or clenching. Identifying these issues early prevents excessive tooth wear, chronic headaches, jaw pain, and temporomandibular joint disorders that can significantly impact your quality of life.
Understanding what to expect during your dental examination helps you feel comfortable and prepared for your appointment.
Our dentist will discuss your medical history, current medications, recent health changes, and any dental concerns you’re experiencing. This information helps us tailor your exam to your specific needs and identify factors that might affect your oral health or treatment options. We’ll also review any changes since your last visit that could impact your dental care.
Using specialized lighting, magnification, and dental instruments, we systematically examine every tooth, checking for decay, cracks, wear patterns, and structural problems. We evaluate your gums for signs of inflammation, recession, or disease. We inspect your soft tissues, including tongue, cheeks, palate, and throat, for abnormalities. We also assess your bite alignment, jaw joint function, and signs of teeth grinding.
Digital X-rays may be taken to detect hidden issues like cavities between teeth, infections at tooth roots, bone loss from gum disease, or impacted teeth. We use the lowest radiation doses possible while obtaining diagnostically valuable images. X-ray frequency depends on your age, oral health status, and risk factors—typically annually for adults with good oral health, or more frequently when monitoring specific conditions.
We measure pocket depths around each tooth to evaluate gum attachment and detect early periodontal disease. This assessment tracks changes over time and helps determine appropriate cleaning intervals and treatment needs.
Thorough examination of all oral tissues, including areas often missed during routine care, identifies suspicious lesions, color changes, or tissue abnormalities requiring further evaluation. This screening includes palpation of neck lymph nodes and assessment of tissue texture and symmetry.
During prophylaxis, our skilled dental hygienists remove plaque and tartar buildup from all tooth surfaces, including areas below the gumline that brushing and flossing can’t reach. They polish your teeth for a smooth, clean finish that resists future plaque accumulation. Fluoride treatment may be applied to strengthen enamel and prevent decay.
Your dentist will explain their findings clearly, recommend any necessary treatments, answer your questions, and provide personalized guidance for maintaining optimal oral health at home. If treatment is needed, we’ll discuss options, timeline, and costs before proceeding.
The American Dental Association recommends visiting the dentist every six months for routine exams and cleanings. However, our Flowood team may suggest a different schedule based on your individual oral health needs.
During your examination, we’ll recommend the schedule that best protects your oral health based on your specific risk factors, past dental history, and current oral condition.
Certain situations require modified examination approaches or additional attention during routine visits.
If you have crowns, dental implants, or other dental work, exams include careful evaluation of these restorations. We check for loose margins, recurrent decay around existing fillings, implant stability, and the condition of dental cement or bonding materials. Early detection of failing restorations allows for repair before complete failure occurs.
Even if you have complete dentures, regular dental exams remain important. We evaluate denture fit, check oral tissues for irritation or abnormal changes, screen for oral cancer, and assess whether your dentures need adjustment, relining, or replacement. Changes in your jawbone and gums over time affect denture fit, making ongoing professional evaluation essential.
Individuals with diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, or other systemic conditions require special attention during dental exams. These conditions can affect oral health, and certain dental treatments may require medical consultation or antibiotic prophylaxis. We coordinate with your physicians to provide safe, appropriate care that considers your overall health status.
Pregnant patients benefit from dental exams during pregnancy, as hormonal changes can affect gum health. We modify X-ray protocols and treatment timing to ensure safety for both mother and baby while maintaining optimal oral health throughout pregnancy.
Skipping regular checkups and cleanings can significantly harm your oral health over time. Without professional examinations, cavities progress undetected until they cause pain and require extensive treatment like root canals or extractions. Gum disease develops silently, potentially leading to tooth loss before you realize there’s a problem. Oral cancer and other serious conditions may go undetected until reaching advanced stages, when treatment becomes more complex.
Skipping professional cleanings allows plaque and tartar buildup that you cannot remove at home, leading to cavities, gum inflammation, and bad breath. What could have been prevented with routine care becomes costly emergency treatment. Regular appointments protect your investment in your smile and catch problems when they’re easiest and least expensive to treat.
Yes, regular dental exams remain essential even with complete dentures. We need to check your denture fit, as your mouth changes shape over time, and poorly fitting dentures can cause sore spots and difficulty eating. We monitor your oral tissues for irritation, infections, or abnormal changes that denture wearers may not notice themselves.
Most importantly, we screen for oral cancer during these visits. Oral cancer can develop in any oral tissue, regardless of whether you have natural teeth, making regular professional examination critically important. We recommend denture wearers visit our Flowood office at least annually, and more frequently if they experience any discomfort or concerns.
Modern digital dental X-rays use extremely low radiation doses—often less than you’d receive during a short airplane flight. We follow ALARA principles (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), taking only necessary images using the lowest effective radiation doses. Digital technology reduces radiation exposure by up to 90% compared to traditional film X-rays.
X-ray frequency depends on your individual situation. Adults with good oral health typically need bitewing X-rays annually and a comprehensive full-mouth series every 3-5 years. Patients with active dental disease, a history of frequent cavities, or gum disease may need more frequent imaging to monitor treatment progress. We never take unnecessary X-rays and always consider the diagnostic benefit against any minimal risk.
Dental anxiety is common, and our Flowood team understands these concerns completely. We create a calm, supportive environment where patients feel comfortable communicating their fears. Let us know about your anxiety when scheduling—we can allow extra time for your appointment and use techniques that help you feel more relaxed.
During your exam, we explain each step before proceeding, use gentle techniques, and check in frequently about your comfort level. We can pause anytime you need a break. For patients with severe anxiety, we can discuss sedation options that allow you to receive necessary care while feeling completely at ease.
Absolutely. We welcome patients who haven’t visited a dentist in years and create a judgment-free environment focused on getting your oral health back on track. Your first exam after an extended absence will be thorough, likely including comprehensive X-rays to assess current conditions. We’ll develop a prioritized treatment plan that addresses urgent issues first, then works toward optimal long-term oral health.
Many patients who’ve delayed care are pleasantly surprised that their oral health isn’t as bad as feared, while others appreciate having a clear roadmap for addressing accumulated problems. Either way, taking the step to schedule that first exam is what matters most—we’ll handle the rest with compassion and expertise.
Regular dental exams protect your smile, preserve your natural teeth, and provide early detection of serious conditions that could affect your overall health. At Tharp, Klaus, & Kelly Dental Clinic, our comprehensive examinations combine advanced diagnostic technology with the clinical expertise of three experienced dentists, ensuring nothing important is missed during your visit. Don’t wait until problems cause pain—preventive care keeps your smile healthy and treatment costs manageable.
Ready to prioritize your oral health? Contact our Flowood dental office today at 601-939-4100 to schedule your comprehensive dental exam. We welcome patients from Jackson, Pearl, Brandon, Florence, Canton, and throughout central Mississippi. New patients are always welcome!
I understand the information disclosed in this form may be subject to re-disclosure and may no longer be protected by HIPAA privacy regulations and the HITECH Act.
