Check-Up & Clean

Your annual dental check up is important

Your annual dental check up is important

Visiting the dentist is the first step in avoiding unexpected issues that could potentially end up costing you (or hurting you) down the track. You may think that a regular dental check-up and teeth cleaning aren't a priority. However, it's vital not to underestimate the importance of regular check-ups to maintain good oral health and overall wellbeing. Find your local dental clinic and book your routine check-up and clean.

Having a routine dental check-up comes with many benefits and helps prevent things such as tooth decay, migraines, cavities, and even sleep apnoea! Not only does routine teeth cleaning from your dentist help you maintain good oral health, but it brings back confidence in your smile. If you haven't been scheduling your regular dental check-ups, now is the perfect time to start.



What to expect from a dental check up

Whether you're returning to a dentist you haven't seen 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.

With your dental clinic visit, you can expect the following things:

  • A thorough inspection of your mouth to check for potential cavities, issues with your gum line (possible gum disease), tooth decay, and more.
  • X-rays to provide a better view of your teeth, jaws, and the overall condition of your mouth.
  • A professional dental cleaning, which will include a thorough scale and flossing of the teeth. This will also help to determine the general dental health of your gums and teeth. If the cleaning is uncomfortable, or your mouth is sensitive at the time, your dentist may prescribe a special toothpaste.
  • A chance to discuss any concerns or problems you've been facing with your dentist, such as bad breath or bleeding gums.

Once you've finished with your check-up and teeth cleaning process, most dentists will recommend scheduling another visit to maintain a routine check-in. Should there be any concerns, they may schedule a dental appointment sooner to address them or keep a better eye on your overall oral health.

At the end of the visit, they'll encourage you to floss and brush your teeth twice a day to ensure you're implementing healthy routines.

Potential concerns your dentist may have

Without routine brushing and flossing, frustrating health issues may arise. From soreness in your jaw to unhealthy gums, tooth decay, and more, your oral health is important.

A few potential concerns that may arise if you go too long without visiting your dentist are:

Migraines

A multitude of things going on in your mouth can cause headaches and migraines.

For example, clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth creates pressure, which can be the starting point for inducing a migraine. Bacteria build-up from not flossing or brushing your teeth routinely, and even tooth loss from lack of care of your teeth, can gradually decrease your oral health and also contribute to orofacial pain and headaches.

Cavities

Plaque and tartar build-up can lead to cavities throughout your mouth. When you go extended periods without routine dental cleaning for removing plaque, you may face more severe issues with your teeth.

When cavities go untreated, you can cause damage to the rest of your teeth and experience severe dental pain. This can impact your overall oral health, and result in needing fillings or tooth extraction for teeth that were untreated for too long.

Sleep Apnoea

The National Sleep Foundation reports that more than 18 million people suffer from sleep apnoea. With the two main types of sleep apnoea, Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnoea (CSA), a dentist can investigate what's causing the condition to occur.

Whether it's the soft tissue at the back of your throat collapsing, or the brain failing to signal your muscles to move, the result may leave you feeling sleep deprived and weak the following day. Through common indicators, a routine dental check up can pinpoint this condition and help restore your sleep.

The best way to prevent these potential issues and others is to schedule a regular check-up at your dental clinic.

Looking for the right dentist

When it comes to your oral hygiene and trusting somebody to help you with it, you want the best in the business.

As you begin your dental clinic hunt, take your time researching. You can read reviews on individual practices, call to check the cost of an initial consult, ask if their fees are covered by health insurance, ask about children’s dentistry, and determine how far their locations are from you.

While finding the best practice for you and your family, you may consider additional perks that come with your visit.

Some offices will offer things like TVs with Netflix, music, or other forms of entertainment to make you more comfortable. Should you want help deciding which practice is right for you, contact us.



National Dental Care

National Dental Care started with four practices and has grown to over 60 practices all across Australia within five years.

At National Dental Care, you can find information on the top practices in Australia, specifics on treatments and services offered at each location, the best payment plans offered, teeth tips, dental health advice, and more.

What separates this team from other dentists is a nurturing environment paired with the best available oral health services in the country. Using advanced equipment to provide quality dental care and requiring staff to take ongoing training and development courses, National Dental Care will ensure you'll feel right at home with each dental appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

In Australia, a regular dental check up will typically cost $200-$300. This includes 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.

Most people should have a dental check up once 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 some cases, your dentist may suggest you visit every six months instead of annually. This can happen if your dentist wants to keep a closer eye on a certain issue. If this happens, they may not need to take x-rays every time.

To prepare for your dental appointment, brush and floss your teeth before visiting your dentist. You should also think about whether you have any questions for your dentist regarding your oral health, and be prepared to let them know if you have any issues you’d like to discuss, such as dental pain.

A dental check up typically takes an hour, as this includes your dental professional taking a set of x-rays, doing an oral exam, and doing a professional cleaning. Your check up may only be 30 minutes if you do not need all of these things, or it could be longer if you are having dental issues you need to discuss.

No, your dental cleaning should not be painful.

During the cleaning, your dental hygienist will floss between your teeth, polish your teeth, and use a descaler to remove any built-up plaque on your teeth. 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, it is likely due to there being a problem with your teeth. Let your dentist know as soon as you experience pain and they can investigate the issue and make a treatment plan.

Yes, definitely. In fact, it is recommended to have a dental check up during pregnancy, as pregnancy hormones can have an effect on your oral health. This can lead to issues such as inflammation of the gums and gingivitis. It is especially important to have a check up if your pregnancy is causing you to vomit regularly, as this can damage your teeth.

Let your dentist know that you are pregnant so they can keep an eye out for these issues and offer advice for looking after your oral health during this time.

Children should start seeing a dentist as soon as they get their first tooth, or by the age of 12 months - whichever occurs first.

Your dentist will offer advice on how best to care for your baby’s oral health as their teeth begin to come through, and will let you know when to come back for regular check ups.

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.

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