Regular dental check-ups are essential for your health.

The holiday season is right around the corner. Now is an excellent time to rethink your oral hygiene routine and visit your dentist. Fortunately, non-urgent treatments have resumed. You can see your dentist for all treatments, including essential dental check-ups.

Dendy Village Dental recommends that you regularly visit your dentist every six months, to stay on top of your oral health. During your routine check-up, your dentist can perform oral hygiene clean and remove any plaque buildup. Additionally, your dentist will look for signs of common dental problems; gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer.

Common Dental problems

Gum disease
The buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth can initially cause gingivitis – the swelling and weakening of your gums. If this is left untreated, it can turn into periodontitis, in which infected pockets form between the teeth and the gums. If not seen to early enough, the teeth may become loose and fall out.

Tooth decay
Cavities, or tooth decay, can occur when bacteria found in plaque cause the mineralised tissues of a tooth to break down. Significant deterioration can occur without any discomfort or visual signs. You can reverse tooth decay and avoid getting a filling if it is detected early enough. Seeing a dentist every six months makes it all but impossible for any decay to get to the point of needing a filling.

Oral cancer
Dentists have the skills to detect oral cancer in its very early stages, which is incredibly essential. What may feel like an ordinary ulcer to you could be something much more severe. Your dentist will check for any warning signs as part your regular six-month check-up.

What to expect during a check-up if you have not seen your dentist in years

If you have not been to the dentist for a while, then your dentist will recommend getting X-rays taken. As dental problems are not immediately apparent and cannot always be seen with the naked eye, X-rays can detect decay in-between teeth, under existing dental fillings or the gum line. X-rays are also an essential part of root canal therapy and in the treatment of orthodontic problems and wisdom tooth removal. Getting X-rays taken is straightforward and takes little time to process. For more information about dental X-rays, visit the Australian Dental Association website.

How often should you get X-rays during a check-up?

There is no blanket rule for the frequency of getting X-rayed. Every mouth is different. If you are a new patient, then we recommend getting X-rays as part of the initial exam. Dendy Village Dental will keep your dental history on file and will closely monitor the health of your teeth and gums. If you do not have gum disease and visit your dentist regularly, then Dendy Village Dental recommends getting X-rays every couple of years. However, if you have underlying dental problems, such as gum disease, then you may need X-rays as often as every six months. A Dendy Village Dental dentist will be able to give you an accurate time frame for getting X-rayed during an exam or oral hygiene clean.

It is worth noting that some health funds cover oral hygiene check-ups, cleans and X-rays for patients with extras cover. If you have health insurance, it would be best to check your health fund inclusions and when, and if, the benefits expire. Dendy Village Dental accepts all Australian health funds. You can see our full list of preferred providers here.

What you can do every day to reduce tooth problems

Tip 1: Get an egg timer for your bathroom or set your phone on a two-minute clock. Time your brushing till you get into a good habit of brushing and flossing.

Tip 2: Remember to brush twice a day for two minutes and floss once a day. During night brushing, do not spit out your toothpaste. Instead, keep the paste it in your mouth so it can work its magic overnight and kill bacteria.

Tip3: Pay close attention to your eating and consumption habits during festive periods, such as Christmas, Easter, and Halloween where sweets are consumed more often. Sugar is the number one reason for tooth decay. Rethink your sugar intake and instead of grabbing a Coca-Cola this summer, grab bottled water which has fluoride (useful minerals for the strength of your teeth) in it.

Are you due for a check-up and clean?

If it has been more than six months since your last check-up, pay a visit to your dentist as soon as possible. Fortunately, all Dendy Village Dental is open six days. December bookings are filling up quickly. We recommend that you book in early, so you are not disappointed. If you are pensioner without health insurance, you can get 10% off your dental treatment. Just remember to show your pension card at reception. To make an appointment, call 9592-0583 or book online via the button below.