What the Dentist Checks at Your Routine Appointment

It is really important that you attend your routine dental appointments. The dentist will decide how often you should attend based on your oral health but it is normally advised that you attend the surgery every 6 months. This will ensure that any problems are identified early and can be treated effectively without the need for extensive restorations.

How often should I visit the dentist?

It’s generally recommended to visit every 6 months, but some people will be able to go longer between checks. For some it’s more like every 12 months, others can wait 18 months or even 2 years. And in some cases, you might need to visit more often particularly if you are going through an extensive treatment plan like dental implants or orthodontics.

You won’t know how often you need to visit until you start visiting your dentist regularly. They will advise you on the best frequency to ensure your teeth are healthy and protected.

What if I haven’t visited for a long time?

If you haven’t visited the dentist for a long time, don’t panic. Don’t use this as an excuse to continue putting it off. Whether you skipped one appointment or it’s been years since your last visit, we’d still love to see you. The sooner your make that appointment, the sooner we can help you back on the road to excellent oral health.

What happens before your appointment?

Prior to your appointment, the receptionist may ask you to update your medical history form. Your medical history is used by the dentist to ensure that any treatment they offer is safe based on any medication that you are taking or any medical conditions you suffer from.

For example, if you take blood thinning medication such as warfarin, the dentist may need your doctor to complete blood tests prior to extracting a tooth. There are also some medications which mean that you will need to be referred to a hospital for your dental treatment to ensure that you get the best possible care.

What happens at the start of my appointment?

You will be collected from the waiting room and shown into the surgery. Once you are comfortably seated in the dental chair the dentist will inspect your teeth, gums and soft tissues. All details of your assessment are recorded and will become part of your patient record which provide the basis for your ongoing treatment and ensure that the dentist can track your dental health between visits over time.

You can expect to have a dentist performing the checkup and a dental nurse providing assistance and taking notes. There may also be trainees present, or you might have a treatment coordinator if you are thinking about a more extensive treatment plan like dental implants. You can let us know if you feel overwhelmed by the number of people present.

Will I need X-rays?

X-rays are used to help detect early signs of tooth decay. X-rays are able to detect decay under fillings or between teeth in areas that are not visible to the naked eye. They will also show abscesses and infections in the roots of teeth.

In children x-rays can also help to show where their adult teeth will erupt or in adults where the wisdom teeth are. If you are a new patient, unless you have had x-rays very recently, the dentist will recommend that x-rays are taken.

This helps to assess the condition of your mouth and check for any hidden problems. After this x-rays are recommended every 9 to 24 months depending on various dental risk factors, including history of decay, age and condition of your mouth.

Dental X-rays are very safe and there is a very low risk associated with the radiation. However, if you are pregnant you will need to let us know so we can decide if we need to take additional precautions or if we need to avoid X-rays altogether.

Will my dentist offer gum disease treatment?

Gum disease is now the leading cause of tooth loss in adults in the UK. It is described as swelling, soreness or infection in the tissues which support the teeth. The dentist will use probes to measure the amount of gum present around the teeth and may take x-rays to determine if there has been any bone loss in your jaw.

A good oral hygiene routine and regular appointments to the dentist and hygienist are the best possible ways to help avoid gum disease. If we spot signs of gum disease during your appointment, we can offer advice on how to stop this in its tracks so it cannot cause any further damage.

Does my dentist screen for mouth cancer?

Every time you come into the dentist for a routine check-up they will also complete a full mouth cancer check. They will fully examine your mouth and tongue for anything out of the ordinary. If your dentist does find anything unusual or abnormal they will refer you to a consultant at the local hospital.

You likely won’t notice the mouth cancer checks as they will happen as part of your routine checkup. Your dentist may ask to check for lumps and bumps in your neck and under your chin. This might tickle a bit, but it shouldn’t be painful, so you have nothing to worry about.

Can I ask questions about my oral hygiene?

Yes, we encourage you to write down any questions you might have about caring for your teeth. The dentist will discuss your oral hygiene routine and recommend oral care products which will best ensure that you remove all the plaque from your teeth.

This will normally be a combination of using a fluoride toothpaste twice a day and interdental cleaning aids, floss or interdental brushes to clean the areas between your teeth at least once a day.

They will also talk about your diet and how sugar and acid present in fruit juice and fizzy drinks can affect your dental health. A diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and minerals can help to prevent gum disease and protect against mouth cancer.

What happens next?

Following your appointment, we will provide you with a full and detailed written treatment plan, detailing the various costs of options available to you. We will also discuss the payment options at the practice, private fee per item or our membership plans.

If you aren’t pursuing any further treatment, we will simply let you know how long you need to wait before booking your next appointment. If you experience any problems in the meantime, you don’t have to wait for your next checkup. You can book an appointment sooner if you are experiencing any dental pain or are concerned about any changes to your teeth, gums, tongue or other soft tissues in your mouth.

Ready to get your oral health back on track?

Call today on 01702 557766 to book your routine appointment at Benfleet Dental Centre. If you are nervous about your visit, we can help you out every step of the way.