Dental Examination and Routine Checkups
At West Beach Dental we believe a thorough initial check-up and treatment plan, which is based around your dental needs and desires is essential to planning a tailored care package to maintain your oral health for the years ahead.
Maintenance or Routine check-ups may then be suggested every 6-12 months depending on your case in order to monitor changes in teeth or gums before they become problematic.
Please call our friendly staff, or book online, to schedule your initial examination or a routine check-up.
What Happens During Dental Check-ups?
The first step of Dental Check-ups is an assessment. You will be asked questions regarding your health history, the history of your family’s health, and your habits, such as smoking and diet. These questions will be asked in order for the dentist to understand your health better and know risk factors that you may have.
Next, your mouth will be examined. Your dentist will check if there are any cavities, plaques, and tartar (the yellow or brown deposit on the lower part of your teeth) present. They will also check the firmness of your gums to see if you have any symptoms of gum disease.
Following the dental examination are several procedures. Not all of these procedures will be done during a checkup, it all depends on the dentist’s verdict on your oral health. Here are the procedures that can be done and the reasons why you may need them:
Scaling: Scaling is a method of removing tartar and bacteria buildup. This is a non-surgical method and no anaesthetic is required. The dentist will use professional dental tools to carefully clean every area of your mouth.
Polishing: After the scaling process is complete, the dentist will polish your teeth using a polisher made of rubber. Polishing smoothens the teeth and removes stains.
Head and Neck Examination: Besides your mouth, the dentist will also examine your head and neck. The firmness and movements of your jaw will be checked, as well as the condition of the lymph nodes in your neck. Poor jaw movements may indicate gum disease or temporomandibular joint dysfunction, while swollen lymph nodes may be a sign of other health diseases.
X-ray: X-ray is a way for the dentist to see any hidden issues in your mouth. For instance, it can detect the position of the wisdom tooth that is tucked in your gums. X-ray also allows you and the dentist to see the structure of your teeth clearly. If you are pregnant, please notify your dentist as this method is not safe for pregnant women.
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It is recommended that you should be going to the dentist for a dental check-up and clean every 6 months.
This is due to several reasons.
- To check if there has been movement in your teeth
- To make sure there are no issues such as gum disease, cavities, etc). If there is an issue it is always better to get on it early, rather than having it left for a long period of time. In most cases, more work will have to be done to fix the issue if it’s left unchecked for a long period of time.
- To get a thorough dental clean, which includes a clean, polish & floss.
- Lastly, we always joke about this but reminding clients to floss is a big one for nearly all patients.
- Regular brushing (twice a day, morning & night) If you have had more sugar than normal or stringy food brushing a 3rd time is not uncommon.
- Flossing (once a day, or after a meal that you can feel as left food in your teeth)
- limiting your sugar intake (diet)
- A balanced diet of fruits and veggies
- Avoiding tobacco
- Using toothpaste with fluoride
Your dentist should take a full set of dental X-rays early into the doctor-patient relationship, usually a first visit or second visit. So if you are a new patient then it is recommended so your dentist has a baseline for your teeth positioning.
This is important to monitor any changes that could be happening in your teeth between appointments.
Most adult patients have bitewing X-rays every year and a full mouth series every four to five years.
But those with a higher risk for dental caries problems may need them every six to 18 months.
Patients with tooth sensitivity feel pain when they consume foods or drinks that are hot, cold, sweet, or acidic.
Sensitivity happens when tooth enamel, which usually protects the tooth’s pulp and dentin, is thinned from repeated exposure to acidity and extreme temperatures.
Sensitivity can also occur as a result of:
- Receding gums
- Tooth grinding during sleep
- Chipped or fractured teeth
- Tooth whitening
- Orthodontics
- fillings
Talk to your dental professional, and they will examine the affected teeth and recommend treatment to reduce your sensitivity.
If you are experiencing this please give our dental team a call at West Beach Dental. We are here to help, advise & get your oral health in check.
It depends – there are different kinds of mouthwash.
Cosmetic mouthwashes aim to freshen breath and to maintain a healthy teeth color, but they contain fluoride to help fight cavities as well.
Therapeutic rinses work to help treat conditions such as gingivitis, tooth sensitivity, and inflammation.
For more advanced conditions, prescription mouthwashes often contain chlorhexidine gluconate to kill bacteria that cause bleeding, inflammation, and plaque or biofilm formation.
If you are wondering which brand & which mouth wash formula to use please discuss this with your dentist on your next visit. Our team at West Beach Dental is here to help you with your oral health care.
