Oral Health Check
It is important to maintain good oral health; this means looking after your mouth – and there is more to this than your teeth. So dentistry is not just about keeping your teeth in order and a comprehensive oral health check is a major component of your first dental appointment with us. This comprises a discussion, an oral examination which may include taking x-rays, and the drawing up of a treatment plan.
What will the discussion cover?
Your dentist will ask questions about your general oral health, your previous dental experiences and any current concerns or problems you may have. You will be asked about your views on any improvements you might like to make in your oral health and in the appearance of your smile. You will have plenty of opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have which your dentist may be able to help with - for example, poor appearance, crooked teeth, discoloured teeth, sensitive teeth, headaches, snoring, dry mouth, bad breath, and sports guards.
What will the examination involve?
Your dentist will examine your mouth and teeth to:
- check the alignment of your jaw joints
- check how your teeth meet together and function as you chew (known as your “bite” or occlusion)
- identify any problems which could arise from a poor occlusion - such as broken or worn teeth, or headaches
- check for signs that you may be clenching or grinding your teeth (bruxing)
- carry out a visual check of your tongue, cheeks and other soft tissues, looking in particular for signs of oral cancer: oral cancer is very rare but we always take the opportunity to check for early signs
- assess the health of your gums, looking for signs of underlying gum (periodontal) disease
- look for dental decay (caries) and faults in fillings or other restorations such as crowns, bridges or veneers
- look for signs of erosion from fizzy drinks or excessive toothbrushing
- look for damage from tooth grinding
- look for tooth sensitivity
- look for dry mouth (xerostomia)
A note to thank you for spending so much time with me and for putting my mind at rest. I am amazed how much better my mouth feels, and indeed how much better I feel now that my teeth are clean and shiny.
Will I need to have any X-rays taken?
Your dentist will take any x-rays which are necessary to complete the assessment of your oral health in order to make a diagnosis and treatment plan for you.
