We all have heard by now that brushing twice daily, flossing, using mouthwash, and eating healthy foods are essential parts of keeping a healthy mouth, but did you know that regular cleanings are just as essential of a part of your dental health?
Dental check-ups, usually coupled with a dental cleaning are key to keeping your smile in top condition and avoiding more costly treatments and procedures that can sometimes be both expensive and uncomfortable. Avoid costly and painful treatments by seeing your dentist for a dental check-up regularly.
What Happens During a Dental Checkup?
Dentists will look mainly for 3 things during a routine dental exam. A dentist will typically look for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. That means that dental check-ups can not only save your smile, but they can help to save your life too by aiding in early detection of oral cancer.
You will be billed for the following ADA Item Code Services
- 011 or 012 Dental Examination
- 111 or 114 Prophylaxis (Cleaning of Soft Plaque and Hard deposits)
- 113 Dietary Advice tailored to your specific tooth decay risks
- 141 Oral Hygiene Instruction specific to gum disease risks
- 221 Periodontal Screening
- 054 Mucosal Screening for Oral Cancer
- 059 Head and Neck Cancer Examination
Oral Cancer and Head and Neck Examination
At the end of your usual tooth examination with scaling, cleaning and polishing Dr Rourke will undertake an Intra-oral Cancer Examination and Head and Neck Cancer Examination using the Oral Cancer Organisation Oral Screening Protocol. To learn more visit The Oral Cancer Foundation
Lesions of Epithelial Origin
As a reference resource, we use DermNet NZ which is an internationally recognised resource for information sheets and images of over 2000 different types of skin and mucosal lesions.
How Often Should You Have a Dental Checkup?
For most patients, cleaning and check-up twice yearly are recommended however for some patients, dentists recommend 3 to 4 check-ups and cleanings per year. Patients who need more frequent check-ups and cleanings include smokers, people with gum disease, diabetic patients, people with asthma and other medical conditions that have systemic connections to oral health.
Call Us Now To Schedule Your Appointment: 65836111
Author; Dr Jeremy Rourke, B.D.S. Hons. Syd Univ. Dental Surgeon
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