Routine

Check-ups

Regular checkups are the best way to ensure that your teeth remain healthy.

It’s a cliche, but prevention is certainly better than cure.

During dental examinations, we will:

• ask about your medical history
• carry out a full examination of your mouth, teeth and gums, checking for decay, defective fillings, tooth infections, gum disease, tooth wear and mouth cancer.
• ask about your general health and any problems you have had with your teeth, mouth or gums since your last visit
• ask about and give advice on diet, smoking and drinking habits
• ask about your teeth-cleaning routine and give you advice on the best ways to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy
• explain any risks, as well as dental costs, of all treatments you may need
• discuss with you when your next visit should be

Hygienist appointments

Hygienist appointments are an important part of good oral health care. Our hygienists have two main objectives. Firstly they will remove plaque and calculus from your teeth using ultrasonic or hand scalers, then they polish your teeth to remove marks or stains. If a lot of plaque or calculus has built up you may need to have more than one scale and polish.

Secondly, and arguably more importantly, they provide you with advice and instruction as to how to care for your teeth. They can show you the best way to brush, how to clean in between your teeth, what your trouble spots are and how to remove the plaque which is continuously forming on your teeth.

When you eat or drink, the bacteria in the plaque turn the sugar from the food into acid, which may cause tooth decay. Plaque also causes gum inflammation (gingivitis) and can cause bone loss around teeth (periodontitis) if it is not regularly and thoroughly removed. Our hygienists will also advise you on which oral care products are the best ones for you to use.