Do you remember the last time you visited the dentist? Do you remember your reminder coming through and thinking I’ll do that later? You don’t have any problems, surely it won’t matter if you put it off for a couple of months?

Here at College Dental Surgeries, we advise that our patients attend for regular appointments every six months. Even with the highest oral hygiene standards it is likely that plaque will start to form in the hard-to-reach areas in mouth. Moreover, a number of dental conditions do not exhibit symptoms in the early stages, meaning only your dentist will be able to detect and treat them.

At your routine appointment, the dentist will:

Look for signs of tooth decay

Tooth decay is caused by a range of different factors. At your appointment, the dentist will assess your risk of cavities and provide advice on preventing tooth decay. The dentist may also take x-rays. X-rays allow the dentist to see if decay is present in areas not visible to the naked eye, such as between teeth, under crowns and fillings and in tooth roots.

Mouth Cancer check

Oral cancers are some of the few cancers which are currently seeing a rise in diagnosis. The dentist will check the tissues both inside and outside your mouth to determine if there are any areas of concern. If they spot anything, they will refer you to a specialist. If detected early oral cancers have a very good survival rate.

Look for signs of gum disease

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults in the UK. By attending for routine dental appointments, the dentist will identify the early signs of gum disease and put in place a treatment plan. Gum disease can be effectively treated with improved oral hygiene and regular hygienist appointments.

Examine your jaw and bite and assess the need for dental restorations

Does your jaw click or pop, cause you discomfort or lock? The dentist may be able to offer treatments such as mouth guards to lessen your discomfort or refer you to a specialist for further treatment. The dentist will also discuss all the options for any restorations needed.

Oral hygiene advice

The dentist will refer you to the hygienist, if required, and they will remove any plaque or calculus that has built up on your teeth and advise you on the best oral hygiene routine to follow in between appointments to ensure that your teeth remain in tip top condition. As well as giving you advice on lifestyle changes that will improve the health of your teeth. For example, quitting smoking or changing your diet.

Due for your routine dental appointment? Call College Dental Surgeries on 01622 752340 to book your consultation!