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EspañolThe routine check-up is the most common reason to see a dentist. This is when we develop your Preventive Care Plan with you and is when we listen to your concerns and goals.
Regular visits mean that we can detect issues such as dental decay, gum disease and chronic infection early minimising the need for complex treatments later on. We recommend that you come for a routine examination and cleaning at least every 6 months.
Do you know that your oral health is linked to your general health and well-being? Recent studies have shown that chronic infection of the gums or teeth can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, including infection of the lining of the heart and heart valves (endocarditis), and during pregnancy to premature birth.
So, looking after your teeth and gums benefits all of you. Not just your teeth and smile.
Here is our 8 point check covering every aspect of your oral health.
01
Medical history
At your first visit, we’ll review your medical history. We will then regularly review this information with you as changes to your overall health, as well as any medication you are taking, can affect your oral health. We need to know about conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, pregnancy and allergies.
02
Oral hygiene
We comprehensively health check your teeth and gums looking for any areas which could be prone to tooth decay and gum disease.
03
Fillings and crowns
If you already have a filling or crown, we will make sure they are still working well and not creating problems. We often use x-rays to check under fillings for hidden decay.
04
Bite and jaw
We assess how your teeth meet when you bite and how they move across each other. We look for any signs of tooth wear caused by teeth clenching (bruxism) or misaligned bite, as both can have adverse effects on your overall long-term oral health.
05
X-rays
We routinely take x-rays to check areas we want to see in more detail. X-rays allow us to identify any cavities or damage invisible to the naked eye, as well as bone loss or hidden signs of infection.
06
Oral cancer check
We screen for oral cancer looking for any issues such as unusual lumps on the inner cheek or tongue.
07
Smile concerns
This is a great opportunity for you to tell us about any concerns you have about your smile. We can advise about cosmetic treatments from simple home tooth whitening to full “smile design” and complex restoration.
08
Home care and diet advice
Of course, we can keep an eye on any problems but much of the hard work takes place at home. We will give you tailored advice about your brushing regime at home. And dietary advice.
Regular hygiene visits are essential for lasting oral and general health and a healthy smile. This is when we thoroughly clean your teeth and remove plaque, tartar and bacteria from the surfaces. This combination of our work and a great oral regime at home prevents tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath and more.
Why are hygiene appointments important?
Your oral health is the foundation for having a beautiful smile. We always make sure your gums are as healthy as possible when considering cosmetic work, especially orthodontics. Our dental team is best placed to maintain your gum health as they are trained in assessing, tracking and treating gum disease. If gum disease is left untreated, it can lead to serious problems such as tooth loss and premature ageing from jaw bone loss.
What do hygiene appointments involve?
There are three stages to our hygiene appointments.
Assessment
We carry out a BPE (Basic Periodontal Examination). We record any signs of gum disease so your dentist will know which areas need the most attention.
Cleaning
The next stage is a very thorough clean when we remove build-up of calcified deposits. We then polish these clean surfaces. Your smile will now be stain-free, your teeth will feel smooth and be easier for you to clean.
Prevention
As much of the hard work can only happen at home, we will advise you on the best way you can look after your teeth, including cleaning techniques and possible diet changes.
