The best way to maintain good oral hygiene is to brush and floss your teeth and to visit us here at Werribee Dental Clinic for regular check-ups. Our dentist not only examines your teeth for signs of decay or damage, but also checks for early signs of gum disease and oral cancer.
It is normally recommended that you visit a dentist twice a year, although people who have severe gum disease or a weakened immune system may need to come and see us more frequently.
Our dentist will first ask if there have been any problems since your last dental check-up and will take a note of any new medications you may be taking.
At your check-up our dentist will:
- Check for early signs of decay or breakages
- Check existing restorations
- Look at your gums for early signs of gum disease – this will be done using a probe which is gently placed between the tooth and your gum to determine the progression of any gum disease
- Examine your tongue, throat, cheeks & lips for signs of oral cancer
- Examine your jaw joints
X-rays of your teeth are usually taken every two to three years, unless our dentist notices a problem and needs an X-ray to look inside the tooth. We only take x-rays when necessary and they are invaluable for showing areas not visible to the naked eye.
If cavities are found or if our dentist feels that your oral hygiene needs to be improved, they will create a treatment plan outlining all possible options and the cost of treatment. We will discuss this treatment plan with you, so you will know exactly how it could help improve your oral health. You will then need to make an appointment for the necessary treatment.
Occasionally, we may need to refer patients to other dentists who specialise in a particular area of dentistry. If this is the case, you can rest assured it will be a dental professional whom we know and trust to look after you and we will liaise closely with them to make sure you receive excellent care. We will of course be here to answer any questions or concerns you might have during your treatment.
