Regular Check-Up at Maroochydore
Ensure your oral health with a routine dental check-up to maintain a healthy, happy smile.
Regular Check-Up at Maroochydore
Ensure your oral health with a routine dental check-up to maintain a healthy, happy smile.
At Dental Centre Maroochydore, we take very seriously the trust and responsibility you put in us to help you achieve and maintain a healthy mouth.
As part of that, we will endeavour to be as transparent as possible in communicating to you the individual needs you require to achieve this goal.
Regular examinations and cleaning treatments are vital in maintaining gum health, with early identification of disease enabling more minor treatments to be able to resolve the disease. The vast majority of people benefit from 6 monthly preventative examinations and cleans.
What to expect from a dental check-up
We are a friendly bunch that will be with you whether you're returning as you haven't seen a dentist in a while or hunting for a new dental clinic; every regular dental check-up is similar. You want somebody friendly who makes your health a priority, and who is easy to understand when it comes to explaining exactly what they're doing.
InspectionA thorough inspection of your mouth to check for potential cavities, issues with your gum line (possible gum disease), tooth decay, and more.
X-rayX-rays to provide a better view of your teeth, jaws, and the overall condition of your mouth.
CleaningA professional dental cleaning, which will include a thorough scale and flossing of the teeth.
ConsultationA chance to discuss any concerns or problems you've been facing with your dentist, such as bad breath or bleeding gums.
An oral cancer screen is also undertaken at every dental examination, it is very important that you have your mouth examined at least once a year even if you no longer have any teeth. Early detection of oral cancer is essential to save lives. Nearly 3 times as many people die from oral cancer compared with cervical cancer.
X-ray examinations are performed at specific intervals according to your individual risk factors, and are important to identify symptomless early tooth decay and disease under the gum that is not otherwise visible in the mouth. We routinely see patients who have no pain, but have hidden decay picked up on X-Rays that is already very close to the nerve of the tooth.
We usually take two small X-Rays of your back teeth every two years to check for hidden decay. A full mouth OPG or 3D cone beam X-Ray is taken at less regular intervals according to individual need. In addition we will X-Ray individual teeth and roots of concern as required.
Families visiting together is an important opportunity to step off on the right foot. Toddlers and young children can come with their Mum and Dad to a check-up and hygiene appointment and just experience the new people and places. Gradually we can progress to a ride in the chair 6 months later and then to a check-up and clean 12 months later, again at the same time as Mum and Dad.
We also aim to make the family visits as hassle free as possible. You will find that the reception staff will arrange the appointments so that while a member of the family is having a check-up with the dentist another will be having their hygiene appointment and this way we can halve the total time your family needs to spend at the practice.
How to take care of your oral health at home
Brush 2x per/day for 2 minutes- make sure brushing all surfaces of each tooth Spit out but don’t rinse away the toothpaste Floss once per day before brushing- make sure flossing either side of tooth below gum line If you have been prescribed piksters- use appropriate size once daily and/or after meals, make sure to use pikster either side of tooth and upwards motion Remember to brush tongue once daily with toothbrush or tongue scraper
If you have bleeding/tender gums or have been diagnosed with a periodontal disease-
- Increase flossing and brushing- minimum 2x per/day.
- Rinse mouth out after meals with water.
- Use an antibacterial mouth rinse short term- such as Colgate peroxyl mouthwash, savacol, curasept gel or other mouthwash.
- Warm salty rinses
Things to remember
- Piksters – use before brushing and/or after meals can be purchased from Dental Centre Maroochydore (DCM) or your local pharmacy.
- Savacol- can only be used for 2 weeks, 30 mins after brushing. Prolonged use will cause significant staining. Available from DCM, pharmacy or supermarket.
- Curasept gel- pikster and brush teeth, then apply curasept gel with clean pikster through spaces between teeth. Do not rinse mouth after use. Curasept gel can be used for 10 days only. Available from DCM or pharmacy.
- Curasept mouthwash- pikster/floss and brush teeth, rinse with mouthwash 30 mins after brushing. Curseapt mouthwash can be used up to 28 days. Available from DCM or pharmacy.
- Remember to make sure you are brushing all surfaces of each tooth and gently massage gums. The harder to reach areas are the teeth that are more likely to trap food/ plaque, make sure you’re getting your toothbrush further back in your mouth. Common areas to focus on are insides lower teeth along gumline and cheek side of upper back molars. Remember to half close and shift lower jaw sideways to gain better access.
- Dental Centre Maroochydore is always stocked with all the above products. If you have any questions in regard to your periodontal disease or oral homecare please to don’t hesitate to call so we can address any concerns.
Why check-ups are important
Spot Problems Early
Regular check-ups help identify potential dental issues before they become more serious or uncomfortable.
Maintain Healthy Teeth
Professional cleans help remove plaque and build-up that daily brushing and flossing may miss.
Protect Your Smile
Routine dental care supports the long-term health and appearance of your teeth and gums.
Stay on Track
Six-monthly visits give your dentist the opportunity to monitor changes and recommend care when needed.
It is never too late to take care of your wellbeing
Gingivitis (inflammation and bleeding of the gums) and Periodontal disease (disease of the bone foundation and tooth ligament as well as the gum) are very common diseases of the mouth that are caused by bacterial build-up on the surface of the teeth next to the gums. This build-up is often invisible to the naked eye, but can be easily seen when stained with disclosing solutions or tablets. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of early loss of teeth or implants.
Failure to pick up early symptomless disease will lead to disease progression, and bigger or more complex treatments will be required to resolve this later on. We find that the best way to ensure that you don’t miss out on your regular preventative visit, is to book the next recall in advance each time you attend for your routine examination and clean.
You will get a confirmation reminder 2 weeks before this date in case you need to change the appointment. You will still get a confirmation reminder the day before your appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Most people should have a dental check-up twice per year. This is in order for your dentist to keep an eye on your dental health, prevent issues from occurring, and treat any problems that arise immediately.
If you are having issues such as dental pain and wish to be seen sooner, don’t hesitate to make a booking with your dentist as soon as possible.
In Australia, the cost of a regular dental check-up will vary based on a number of factors.
Typically, a check-up will include an oral exam, x-rays, and cleaning from a dental hygienist. Your appointment may cost more if you require additional services, or less if you don’t need all of the above.
Most private health insurance companies will provide some level of rebate for dental check-ups, as they are considered preventative treatments. Check with your health fund provider, as you may be entitled to at least one gap-free check-up per year.
Your first dental check-up will typically be 45 minutes to an hour, as this includes your dentist taking a set of x-rays, doing an oral exam, and a professional clean.
A check-up with your regular dentist will typically be 30-45 minutes.
No, your dental cleaning should not be painful.
During the cleaning, your practitioner will floss and polish your teeth, and use a descaler to remove any built-up plaque. While some of these steps may feel a little uncomfortable, you can ask to pause at any time.
If you do experience pain during cleaning, let your dentist know, and they can investigate the issue.
During your regular dental check-up, your dentist will scrape off any plaque that has built up on your teeth. This sticky substance is made from bacteria and forms on your teeth constantly, which is why it’s important to brush and floss daily to remove it. However, plaque often ends up building up, especially in places that are difficult to reach with your brush.
Plaque is the cause of numerous dental issues, including teeth discolouration, bad breath, and gum disease. If untreated, it can even lead to periodontitis, which can result in the loss of teeth.
Once plaque builds up, it is too stubborn to remove with a regular toothbrush, which is why a dentist will scrape it off during your check-up. This helps to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.
Your dentist will also offer advice on how to avoid plaque from accumulating in between appointments.
As an average we recommend having a check up and clean every 6 months or as directed by your dental professional you may need to come in more or less. These are important preventative measures to help avoid possible expensive dental treatment down the track. Plaque is one of main causes of dental decay and gum disease so it is important to come in for a clean to ensure your mouth is at its healthiest. Having regular exams is also important to pick up any possible problems while they are small and manageable and before they become painful.
Regular examinations and cleaning treatments are vital in maintaining tooth and gum health, with early identification of disease enabling more minor treatments to be able to resolve the disease. The vast majority of people benefit from 6 monthly preventative examinations and cleans.
An oral cancer screen is also undertaken at every dental examination, it is very important that you have your mouth examined at least once a year even if you no longer have any teeth. Early detection of oral cancer is essential to save lives. Nearly 3 times as many people die from oral cancer compared with cervical cancer.
Failure to pick up early symptomless disease will lead to disease progression, and bigger or more complex treatments will be required to resolve this later on.