If you’re due for your six-monthly check-up and clean at the dentist, or if you are overdue and want to book an appointment, you may be wondering about what your check-up and clean at the dentist involves.
There are a wide range of procedures involved in this process, and all of them aim to track your oral health and provide timely preventative and restorative treatment if and where necessary. In this article, it will outline what’s involved in a dental check-up – and why they are so important.
Reasons to have regular dental check-ups
Below are just a few of the reasons why you should consider arranging a regular schedule of appointments with your dental specialist:
- To detect dental issues in their early stages, when treatment is more straightforward and cost-effective. For example, this includes concerns such as pain or tooth discolouration.
- To prevent minor dental issues, such as tooth decay, developing into more serious dental concerns, such as cavities or caries, or an infected tooth.
- To receive timely advice that enables you to take care of your oral health more effectively at home and stop bad habits before they become destructive. This can include brushing habits, flossing routines, teeth grinding, smoking, and other aspects of your life at home that affect your teeth.
- To remain aware of the options available to you to achieve your dream smile, such as dental veneers, tooth whitening, dental crowns, and other treatment methods at your dental professional. A dental professional can explain these options to you and make recommendations for what might work in your circumstances.
- To save money in the long-term. It is a false economy to try to save money by not going to the dentist Summer Hill regularly, because in the long-term, a lack of dental care can lead to more serious issues that require more costly treatment solutions.
Additional reasons why dental check-ups are important for children
They are highly important for adults, but there are a few additional reasons why it is beneficial for your child to attend the dentist Haberfield regularly. These include:
- Because baby teeth are more prone to decay
- Because it’s important to help to limit your child’s dental anxiety and to help them form a healthy relationship with the healthcare system and looking after their teeth
- Because children’s teeth are changing more rapidly, and this can be confronting for parents who may not know what to do
- Because the state of teeth and bite alignment as a child can be more ‘mobile’ and able to be changed easily through treatment; it can become harder as time goes on.
What does a dental check-up involve at the dentist?
During an oral exam, your dental specialist examines your mouth for signs of gum disease, tooth decay, alignment issues, and other oral health conditions, including oral cancer. If necessary, they will arrange for X-rays or 3D scanning, to gain a more in-depth picture of your oral health.
From this exam, your dental specialist will be able to provide recommendations and help you to make an informed decision about your dental health. They will be able to suggest or outline a treatment plan that can help you to improve your oral health, and to achieve your dream smile.
A regular dental check-up also includes preventative dentistry. This involves your dental professional taking care of your existing teeth and providing care during your appointment that will help them to maintain their health and strength. This may include the removal of plaque via dental cleaning, a dental filling, or even treatments such as fissure sealants or fluoride treatment.
Having your teeth cleaned can leave them feeling pleasantly clean afterwards, but more importantly, the removal of plaque and calculus can prevent the spread of tooth decay and gum disease.
Understanding the new patient experience
As a patient your first visit to our dentist will usually 45 minutes. Before you arrive, our team will send you the new patient form for you to complete online in advance of your appointment. This allows the team to gather the necessary background information on your dental and medical health and history, preparing us to deliver the highest standard of care to our patients at the dental clinic Haberfield. If you have any questions prior to the appointment, we encourage you to call our team.
When you arrive, our team will offer a warm greeting and you will be welcomed to relax in the reception area. Once the dentist Five Dock is ready, you will go with them into our modern treatment rooms, which are set comfortably in our state of-the-art A-dec Chair and well-sterilised equipment. Here, your dental practitioner will undertake a detailed dental assessment, and will ask a wide range of questions to help understand your needs and to develop a treatment plan, if necessary, in conjunction with you.
During the appointment, you will be able to watch an overhead TV, tuning out while the dentist undertakes a dental exam. This is a preliminary to your dentist Ashfield offering recommendations on treatment.
Taking the next steps and arranging an appointment
Is it time for you to arrange a dental check-up and clean at your local dentist. To arrange your check-up and clean, whether you are a new or returning patient, simply talk to Haberfield Dental Practice.