Why have regular check-ups?
Regular dental check-ups are an important aspect of keeping on top of your dental and general health. They are great opportunities for us to get a detailed idea of your oral health and to check if there is a need for further treatment.
What do check-ups involve?
Medical history check
Our general health and dental history will be evaluated to determine if anything less obvious could be affecting your dental health, including heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis and diabetes. Poor oral health can be linked to your lifestyle and so we also ask about whether you smoke or drink alcohol regularly.
We then check:
- Oral hygiene – thorough examination of the areas in your mouth where bacteria and toxins may have collected.
- Bite and jaw – your occlusion (how your teeth meet and move across each other) and jaw joints will be assessed and any issues that could be wearing your teeth down or causing tooth fractures, headaches, or broken restorations will be discussed.
- Existing restorations – the health, durability, function and life expectancy of any existing dental work will be assessed.
- Oral cancer check – your soft tissues will be assessed to identify anything abnormal.
- X-rays – low dose digital x-rays may be used to check areas of tooth and bone that are not visible during the clinical examination.
- Smile analysis – we will explain the options to improve your smile as sometimes the smallest of changes can make a huge difference to the way you feel.
If we find anything that requires treatment, we will advise the best course of action and put together a treatment plan, including expected costs.