Swelling, redness, and deep pockets are all signs of gum disease. Your dentist will test how your upper and lower teeth come together and will look for evidence of tooth grinding or problems with the temporomandibular joint (which connects the lower jaw to the skull).

The dentist discusses your health history, asking about your past dental problems, allergies, medication use, drug reactions, recent illnesses, and chronic diseases.

The dentist also examines your neck, lymph glands, palate, and the soft tissues of your mouth (cheeks, tongue, lips, and floor of the mouth) for signs of infection or oral cancer, especially if you are age 35 or older. 

Because early detection of oral cancer is important, if you’re unsure whether your dentist screens you regularly for this disease, ask him or her to do so at each exam. 

You also may want to perform a monthly self-exam, particularly if you are at high risk. 

After dental examination the dentists can come up with treatment plans that are personalized to your needs and are able to execute these treatments to a high degree of accuracy.