Regular dental examinations are imperative to your oral health, and the prevention of dental problems in the future.
We recommend regular six-monthly check-ups for adults and children. Parents should start bringing their children along from the age of two, or ideally six months after their baby teeth appear. However, if you are a smoker or suffer from periodontal disease, you may require more frequent visits to maintain your dental health.
In many instances, people avoid regular dental check-ups and it is not until they experience pain and discomfort that they visit the dentist. Unfortunately, these symptoms are often a sign of more significant problems such as cavities, gum disease and other oral complications that could have been intercepted during regular check-ups.
A routine dental examination generally includes the following:
- Evaluation of your overall oral health and hygiene
- Check for tooth and root decay
- Check the health of the periodontium
- Check the health of oral soft tissues
- Check previous dental treatments, including root canals, dental fillings and crowns
- Complete a scale and clean, to remove plaque and tartar (calculus) that is unable to be removed with normal everyday brushing at home
- Depending on your oral health status, fluoride treatments may also be recommended (every three, six or twelve months)