Why is it that so many people only call the dentist once their teeth start aching? The feeling of pain seems like a good indicator that something needs to be done, but by then, the damage will already have occurred gradually over months. But a regular check-up does exactly the opposite.
What Really Happens in the Dentist’s Chair?
A routine dental check-up Booragoon patients book usually goes down the same old path. First off, the dentist will want to ask you a few questions about your general health, any medication you’re on and whether you have any allergies. And it turns out that changes in your overall health can have some pretty surprising effects on your teeth and gums.
The examination itself is not just a number-crunching exercise either:
- They’ll check each tooth for signs of decay, cracks and wear.
- Look for any signs of bleeding or gum disease.
- Take a peek at your tongue, cheeks and lips just to make sure everything looks healthy.
- And if they need to get a better look at what’s going on between your teeth and below the gum line, they might take an X-ray.
After that, a scale and clean usually follows. They’ll get out the scraper to remove all that nasty tartar that’s built up, and then give your teeth a good polish.
How Often Should You Be Heading Off to the Dentist?
Healthdirect have been telling people the same thing for ages: get yourself to the dentist every 6 to 12 months. But the thing is, that’s just a rough guide. The right amount of time for you depends on your individual teeth and gums situation. If you’re lucky and have healthy teeth and a low risk of anything going wrong, you might need to go less often than someone who’s prone to cavities or gum disease.
Kiddos get included from a pretty young age too. Healthdirect reckon regular check-ups from as young as 12 months or when those first teeth start to come in are a good idea. It’s a great way to help your kids get used to the dentist from an early age, and who knows, it might even stick with them as they grow up.
Ultimately, it’s the dentist who will be able to figure out the best schedule for you. After a few visits, they should be able to give you a much better idea of how often you need to come in.
Help Is Out There for Families with Little Ones
One of the things that holds people back from booking a dentist appointment is cost. But there are ways to get some help if you’re a family with kids. The Child Dental Benefits Schedule is a government scheme that gives eligible children up to 17 years old access to basic dental services at either low or no cost. And the best bit is, you don’t even have to apply for it; Services Australia will send you a letter to let you know if you qualify.
If you’re in Western Australia, there’s also a school dental service that covers eligible students through school-based clinics. You can check if your little one is eligible through the state’s dental health services website.
For adults, most check-ups happen in private clinics and aren’t covered by Medicare.
Little Problems That Regular Visits Catch Early On
Tooth decay can actually start showing no symptoms at all. You might turn up to your check-up and find a small spot that’ll probably just need a minor filling or a fluoride treatment, but if you leave it, it could easily end up causing a whole lot more problems.
Other common early finds include:
- Fillings that have cracked or worn down and are letting bacteria in.
- Teeth that are getting a bit worn down from grinding at night.
- Bleeding gums, which can be a sign of gum disease.
- Dry mouth, which can be linked to certain medications.
And here’s the thing: oral health is connected to your overall health. So neglecting your teeth and gums could be linked to all sorts of other health problems, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Getting Ready for Your Visit
If you can do a bit of prep work before your appointment, it’ll make the whole experience a lot smoother. Just make a list of any medication you’re on and let the dentist know if you’ve had any recent health changes. If you’re pregnant or have been recently diagnosed with anything, or you’re on blood thinners, it’s really helpful to let them know.
And believe it or not, dental anxiety is actually pretty common. If you’re worried, just let the team know beforehand and they can explain everything to you as you go along and even give you a break if you need it.
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