What Actually Happens at a Dental Check-up? A Step-by-Step Guide

Before your appointment starts

When you arrive, we’ll ask you to update your medical history to see if anything has changed since your last visit – or to get a full picture if this is your first visit. This is more than admin. Your general health and any medication you take can have an impact on your oral health. Knowing the full picture helps us give you the best possible care.

Step 1: A conversation

We start by asking how you’ve been getting on since your last appointment – any sensitivity, pain, changes in your gums, or anything else that’s been bothering you. Even if it seems minor or you’re not sure it’s dental related (jaw problems can sometimes affect the ear, for example), it’s always worth mentioning. And ask any questions of us too – we’re here to help!

Step 2: Examining your teeth

We carefully examine every tooth, using a small mirror and a probe. Don’t worry about the probe – we use that to check for cavities and you won’t feel a thing if your tooth surfaces are healthy. As we check your teeth, we’re looking for signs of decay, cracks, wear or damage. We’ll also look at existing fillings, crowns or other work to make sure everything’s still in good shape.

Step 3: Checking your gums

Gum health is as important as tooth health and can also be a window into other health issues. We’re looking for signs of gum disease – redness, swelling, bleeding or recession – and also measure how snugly your gums fit around each tooth. Healthy gums sit close and tight, while looser, deeper gaps can be an early sign of gum disease that we’d want to address straightaway.

Step 4: Oral cancer screening

Even if you’re a regular visitor, you may not know an oral cancer screening is part of your check-up. It’s painless and takes just a couple of minutes. We look at your lips, tongue, cheeks, the floor and roof of your mouth and your throat. Early detection makes a huge difference to outcomes, so this is a routine part of your appointment and not something to worry about.

Step 5: X-rays (when needed)

We don’t take x-rays every time, only when necessary. This might be to check for decay between teeth, monitor bone levels or assess a specific concern. The x-ray is done digitally and uses a very low dose of radiation – don’t worry when we step out of the door, this is because we take a lot of x-rays in a day and so would be exposed to slightly higher levels of radiation if we stayed in the room.  The x-ray gives us a detailed picture of what’s going on beneath the surface that we can’t otherwise see.

Step 6: Our findings and next steps

We’ll talk you through everything we’ve found, always using plain language. If all is well, we’ll let you know and recommend when you should come to see us again. If we see something that needs attention, we’ll explain what it is, why it matters and what your options are. We’ll also give you advice on your home care dental routine if there’s anything we think can be improved – your toothbrush, for example.

And that’s it! The whole appointment typically takes around 20 minutes and for most people is straightforward. If you feel nervous or anxious about your check-up, please tell us and we’ll work at your pace.

Remember the best thing you can do to look after your dental health is keep up with regular check-ups. Book yours now and let us keep your mouth and smile in top health.