Health Screening—Dental Health

Also called: Oral health

It’s important to take care of your mouth and teeth starting in childhood. If you don’t, you could have problems with your teeth and gums – like cavities or even tooth loss.

Here’s how to keep your mouth and teeth healthy:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
• Clean between your teeth every day with floss or another type of between-the-teeth cleaner
• Snack smart – limit sugary snacks
• Don’t smoke or chew tobacco
• See your dentist or oral health professional regularly

NIH: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

• Dental care – adult (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Dental plaque identification at home (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Plaque: What It Is and How to Get Rid of It – NIH (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) – PDF

Also called: Screening tests

Screenings are tests that look for diseases before you have symptoms. Screening tests can find diseases early, when they’re easier to treat. You can get some screenings in your doctor’s office. Others need special equipment, so you may need to go to a different office or clinic.

Some conditions that doctors commonly screen for include

• Breast cancer and cervical cancer in women
• Colorectal cancer
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Osteoporosis
• Overweight and obesity
• Prostate cancer in men

Which tests you need depends on your age, your sex, your family history, and whether you have risk factors for certain diseases. After a screening test, ask when you will get the results and whom to talk to about them.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality