Oral Health Check

The first step in your dental health is to have an Oral Health Check. As a new patient this will be your first experience of our practice. As a current patient, checks will be every six months or annually depending on your needs.

During your oral health check you will be asked about your:

medical history

alcohol and tobacco usage

past dental treatments

toothbrushing, flossing and use of interdental brushes

concerns/likes/dislikes about your teeth

any current pain or discomfort

During your oral health check we will examine:

your head and neck - checking for any abnormalities

your jaw and your jaw joints

the appearance of your teeth

the lining of your cheeks, your gums, your tongue, your upper and lower palate and throat

your gums and teeth

how your teeth fit together i.e. your ‘bite’

You may be surprised at the thoroughness and extent of this check. Part of the reason for this is that by examining these areas we are also carrying out a thorough oral cancer check including a risk assessment. A dentist is often the healthcare professional who spots oral cancer and early diagnosis can help improve the prognosis and the outcome for our patients.

We will also take x-rays to determine the possible presence of tooth decay, evaluate the bone support for your teeth and check the health of teeth under crowns and bridges.