Regular dental check-ups can prevent the need for major dental work in the future and is far more cost effective than allowing problems to go on undetected.

It is never too late to get into the healthy habit of returning to your dentist every six months.

Children as young as three years of age are advised to visit the dentist for a regular check-up and clean so that they become familiarised with their dentist to help maximise their chances of achieving lifelong dental health.

What happens at a Dental Check-Up?

The dentist and dental assistant will ask if you have any specific concerns or issues with your teeth, gums or appearance of your smile. Next they will assess the current condition of your oral health and perform a through check. Any abnormalities will be discussed with you.

The dentist may request that digital dental x-rays be taken of your teeth and gums during your check-up to show in between your teeth and surrounding tissues.

There are three types of x-rays that your dentist may suggest:

• Small Dental X-Ray – for individual teeth
• OPG – a full mouth x-ray
• 3-D Cone Beam X-Ray – shows very fine detail of all structures of the jaw in a three dimensional view

As part of your ongoing dental maintenance program, your dentist may offer a scale and clean to remove tartar build-ups. A professionally applied fluoride application will assist in reduction of dental decay and decrease the sensitivity of your teeth. Most Dentists recommend patients have their teeth professionally cleaned twice a year in combination with their biannual check-up.

To ensure a beautiful healthy smile for life, it’s important for both adults and children to clean their teeth at least twice a day. Dentists recommend a gentle but thorough brushing action using a soft toothbrush with a small head and fluoride toothpaste.

Professional teeth cleaning

A professional clean, also known as a scale and clean, is designed to remove plaque and tartar that is unable to be removed with normal everyday brushing at home. Such regimes will help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

For patients with private health insurance including dental cover, the cost of teeth cleaning is often covered by the health fund’s preventive dental benefits.

Smile in the City is a preferred provider for more than 10 major health funds. This means patients often pay no out of pocket fees or very limited fees associated with a professional scale and clean. Further information on what your fund covers is available from your individual health fund.

Smile in the City is committed to the promotion of good dental health and the education of all patients to help them achieve a beautiful, healthy smile for life.

All procedures at Smile in the City are carried out using state-of-the-art equipment in modern, friendly facilities using the latest techniques. Sterilisation and infection control practices at Smile in the City are subject to the highest quality standards for the health and safety of patients, employees and doctors.