Dental Check-ups

A check-up, which involves a thorough examination of your teeth, gums and mouth, will prevent minor problems from becoming major ones. At Dental Wellness, we recommend six monthly check-ups with your dentist, which when supported by a good at-home routine, will help to keep your mouth healthy.

Nowadays, a regular examination uses both modern technology and the dentist’s up-to-the-minute knowledge and skills, all in a virtually pain-free environment. We provide routine dental checkups and pediatric dentist in Whitefield, Bangalore.

What does the dentist need to know?

At the first consultation, your dentist will want to find out about your health, both oral and general. The dentist needs to be aware of your medical background as it may impact the way that they treat and diagnose issues – diabetes, for example, can increase the risk of gum disease. Certain medicines can cause dry mouth, which can increase your risk of cavities.

It’s also a good time to discuss any dental phobias – for some patients, fear of the dentist starts in childhood after a bad experience. The dentist will take this on board – in fact, just talking about these issues can actually help relieve them.

After the first consultation, a full-check-up will take place, followed by a thorough treatment plan.

What happens during a check-up?

• Check-up: Your dentist will check for cavities and to see if there is any plaque – that’s the yellow layer of bacteria – or tartar on your teeth. Next, the dentist checks the gums, seeing if the spaces between your teeth and gums are shallow. The dentist also checks the tongue, throat, face and neck, looking for any signs of trouble or swelling as well as detecting any signs that might indicate oral cancer.
• Scale & polish: Plaque or tartar build-up needs to be removed, so the dentist uses special instruments such as an ultrasonic scaler to painlessly knock loose pieces of tartar. Once all the surfaces are smooth, they are polished to remove stains from the teeth and the end result you see is smooth and shiny teeth.

Do I need an X-ray?

Depending on your oral exam, dental history and any risk for developing cavities, a dental X-ray may be required. An X-ray can give the dentist a good view of your jaw alignment, any decay between teeth as well as identifying any impacted teeth, abscesses, or cysts on the roots of your teeth.

What happens after the check-up?

After the examination, the dentist will discuss any treatment recommendations, covering everything from tooth brushing techniques to your diet and nutrition, alcohol intake, and smoking.

A return visit may be required for restoration work, such as a filling or crown. For more complex work, the dentist may need to refer you to a specialist such as an orthodontist, periodontist, oral surgeon or an endodontist.

When’s the next check-up?

After completing the check-up, your next visit will be confirmed. Dental check-ups are generally recommended every six months though it can be different for each individual depending on their oral health needs.