Check-Up And Clean
What does a Check-Up involve?
Your dental check-up starts with an initial consultation that takes around 45 minutes, we get to know you, put you at ease and allow the dentist to carry out a thorough evaluation of each of your teeth, along with x-rays where required. Your dentist will examine your gums and jaw bone as the foundation of your teeth, it is so important to look out for any signs of gum or bone disease early on so we can diagnose it as early as possible to start on the path to recovery.
Oral cancer checks are regularly performed at each check up by your dentist at Blue Tooth Dental. The purpose of the check-up is to discover any signs of cancer in your mouth early so that medical treatment can begin as soon as possible.
Where there are areas that need attention, your dentist will explain everything to you, along with any treatment alternatives. You can talk it through to get a complete understanding and decide upon what courses of action you’d like to take.
Oral Cancer Screening
During each dental examination, your dentist will look for any signs of changes in your soft tissues such as the tongue, floor of mouth, lips, and cheeks, which may put you at risk of cancerous changes in the future. If you have any unusual lumps or lesions in your mouth that have been there for more than two weeks or have had difficulty swallowing for this time, alert your dentist so that a more thorough examination can be undertaken.
Common causes of oral cancer are:
Tobacco use of any kind, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco.
Heavy alcohol use.
Excessive sun exposure to your lips.
A sexually transmitted virus called Human Papillomavirus.
What is involved in a Dental Clean and Polish?
Your dentist will use an ultrasonic instrument to essentially scrape away the build-up of plaque and tartar. Once this is cleared, the dentist will brush your teeth using a gritty toothpaste on an electronic toothbrush to polish and remove surface stains. Following this, you will be given a fluoride solution to swish around your mouth, leaving it squeaky clean. This will strengthen your teeth and prevent cavities in the future.
Following the check up and clean, Blue Tooth Dental will leave you with a complimentary take-home kit so that you can maintain your pearly whites at home.
Blue Tooth Dental provides expert dental care at affordable prices for teeth cleaning and polishing in areas of the Inner West – Newtown, Enmore, and Marrickville – Contact one of our friendly team now on 02 9519 2691.
How Long Does a Check Up & Clean Take?
The session in the chair takes around 30 minutes to an hour. However, this will depend on how regular you have been seeing your dentist. This may be on the longer end of the spectrum if you require updated X-Rays or if you have significant concerns that need to be addressed. However, a quick examination, clean and fluoride will be done in no time.
How Often Should I Have a Check Up & Clean?
We recommend that you visit a dentist for a check-up and clean once every 6 months. Regular cleans prevents gum disease by eliminating the bacterial plaque build-up on the teeth. This build-up of plaque can hold bacteria which may lead to gum disease or gingivitis. Resulting in chronic swelling and infection of the gums and bone supporting the teeth. If the bacterial plaque build-up is not removed regularly, it will harden and turn into calculus/tartar; a rough, porous mineral build-up that is yellow-brown in colour and rather unattractive to look at. Long-standing tartar will cause a bad taste, bad breath, can destroy your jawbone and result in tooth loss. The good news is that gingivitis is reversible if it is diagnosed and treated in the early stages.
In between your next schedule check-up and clean, you can reduce the build-up of plaque and tartar at home with the proper oral hygiene routine. We recommend that you brush twice daily using the correct brushing techniques as well as flossing regularly.
Is teeth cleaning painful?
If your teeth are healthy, sound and you are regularly visiting your dentist for a clean, this process should not be painful. However, in the case that the person does not have a substantial oral hygiene routine, this may cause the gums to become inflamed and sore, resulting in some pain and sensitivity.
Some of the tools can feel unusual to individuals if they have not been to the dentist before or if they are unaware of the process. Blue Tooth Dental is dedicated to making your experience in the chair as comfortable and stress-free as possible. We listen to your concerns and answer any questions you may have, providing you ease where needed.
Contact Your Local Newtown Dentist
If you are due for a check-up and clean, contact Blue Tooth Dental to book an appointment today.