Check-ups and Examinations

Regular visits to the dentist are an important part of monitoring and maintaining your oral health. Check ups involve examination of the teeth, gums and soft tissue of the oral cavity, as well as the neck glands, jaw joints and orofacial musculature.

Regular check ups enable us to identify early decay which can then be treated to prevent further damage to the teeth. Sometimes, early decay is not visible to the naked eye, but may be present. This can sometimes cause subtle shadowing under the tooth surface. If decay is suspected, your dentist is likely to take an x-ray to examine the extent of decay and to help plan further treatment.

Check X-rays (known as Bite wings) are generally taken every two years where the risk of new decay is low, but may need to be repeated more often if the risk of decay is higher.

During your appointment, the health of your gums (periodontal health) is also assessed. Signs of gum disease may include bleeding, halitosis (bad breath), wobbly mobile teeth or teeth that have drifted form their original positions. Your dentist will use an instrument to gently measure the gum around the teeth for pockets and screen for gum disease. It is important to diagnose gum disease as this can lead to future loss of teeth.

A soft tissue examination completes the check-up. Your dentist will check the lining of your cheeks, tongue, lips and palate to ensure that they are healthy, with no lumps or signs of ulceration which may indicate underlying disease.

Check-ups are usually done every 6 months, but may vary depending on risk of decay and gum disease.