Why do I need a new dental health check?
A dental health check allows your dentist to see if you have any dental problems and helps you keep your mouth healthy. Leaving problems untreated could make them more difficult to treat in the future, so its best to deal with problems early or is possible, prevent them altogether.
What happens during a dental health check?
Your dentist will
- Examine your teeth, gums and mouth
- Ask about your general health and any problems you’ve had with your mouth, breath or gums since your last visit.
- Ask about, and give you advice on, your diet, smoking and teeth cleaning habits.
- Complete an oral cancer screen.
- Examine your teeth checking for cavities, gum disease, cracked or broken teeth and fillings.
Any issues that need addressing will be explained to you and advised how you wish to proceed.
How often should I have a dental health check?
After your treatment is complete, your dentist or hygienist will recommend a date for your next visit. The time to your next visit could be as short as three months if you are experiencing gum disease. Generally we recommend you attend for a dental health check every six months.
Why and When do we take X-rays?
Dentists can tell a lot about the condition of your teeth just by looking inside your mouth, but sometimes they need to look a bit deeper. X-rays are a vital tool for dentists, as they can often spot problems before you start to feel any pain or discomfort.
They can also be used for something as simple as finding out whether or not you have a cavity. We use digital x-rays with as little exposure as possible so there is nothing to fear.