Why do we like seeing you every 6 months

Throughout the year, there are events that are certain to roll around, like the beginning of spring, your taxes being due and your regular 6 monthly dental check up. We know it might not be your favourite time of the year, but it’s important that you visit your dentist twice a year for a regular check up and clean. Oftentimes, it’s a fairly straightforward check up and you’re on your way again. However, there are times where your dentist may pick up on issues with your teeth or jaw that might start off minor, but if left untreated may lead to other health impacts. 

What’s involved in a regular check up and clean?

A regular check up at Limitless Dental involves a thorough examination of your teeth and jaws. The appointment might include:

• Addressing any concerns or questions that you might have since your last check up
• Looking at the surfaces of your teeth for signs of decay, cracks or general wear and tear, as well as screening for jaw-related issues such as grinding, snoring and headaches
• If required, digital photos and an x-ray may be completed while you’re in the dental chair; we then go through those images with you so you’re aware of any issues that we’re picking up
• Starting the clean, which involves an ultrasonic scaler using water, hand scaling, dental grade electric toothbrush and a fluoride treatment to help remineralise your teeth
• If we’ve picked up on decay or cracks that may require further treatment, like a filling, we can either complete it within the same session or book you in for a follow up appointment to have that completed

What could happen if you skip regular check ups?

Skipping regular check up and cleans over time can create a buildup of plaque from what you eat and drink each day. Plaque that sit on the teeth for a long period of time can become calcified calculus, which can only be removed with dental tools like an ultrasonic scaler. It may be painful to remove, but if left on the teeth can cause further damage to your teeth and gums. 

Calculus that builds up can lead to the development of gingivitis and gum disease. It appears as red, puffy gums which may slowly recede from the teeth. The more that the gums recede, the greater the feeling of sensitivity as the roots of your teeth start to be exposed. Gums that recede and aren’t cleaned properly can no longer grow back, risking tooth loss and infections, so catching gingivitis during a regular check up before it gets to that stage is important.

What are some other things that our dentists screen for during a regular check up?

A dental check up at Limitless Dental is more than just looking for plaque. We believe the mouth and teeth are a gateway to the rest of your body in terms of health concerns. We have a checklist of issues that we screen for in adults that might be slightly different for kids who come in for their regular check ups.

In an adult, we regularly check for things like:

• Oral cancers, where we check for any lesions on the soft tissues of your mouth, particularly if your social habits include smoking, vaping and/or drinking
• Jaw issues, like grinding and muscle tension, which can show up as wear and tear on the teeth 
• Headaches and migraines, which may be related to the position of your jaw
• Sleep apnea, which may also be related to the position of your jaw in relation to your airway

In children, we regularly check for things like:

• Jaw development to ensure that the jaws are tracking in the correct (forward) position
• Existence of tongue ties and lip ties, which may affect things like eating, speech and jaw growth
• Teeth alignment, as crooked teeth usually point to incorrect jaw development
• Mouth breathing, which may be impacted by enlarged tonsils or adenoids
• Sleep disordered breathing, which result in poor sleep quality in children 

It’s important to maintain regular check ups with your dentist

Even if you’re not in pain, regular visits to your dentist can help prevent minor issues from worsening and resulting in more invasive procedures. Our team understands that going to the dentist may be a daunting experience, but we go out of our way to welcome you to our clinic and to make your visit as stress-free as possible.

Give our team a call on 9569 8091 or book online for your next check up and clean!