The Importance of Dental Check-ups

My teeth feel fine. Why do I need a dental check-up?

We often see patients at our offices that are in a lot of pain. They have kept putting off their check-up until they find themselves in a very painful emergency situation.

A check-up allows us to see if you have any dental problems and helps you keep your mouth healthy. We can identify problem areas in your mouth that, if they are left untreated, can go unnoticed by patients until they become much more serious.

During your check-up, we are also able to screen for Oral Cancer. Oral cancer screening is something that many people overlook, but dentists in Canada find thousands of cases every year. Screening is especially important in patients over the age of 45, and if caught early most oral cancers can be treated successfully.

What happens during a dental check-up?

At each check-up, your dentist will:

• Examine your teeth, gums and mouth.
• Ask about your general health and any problems you’ve had with your teeth, mouth or gums since your last visit.
• Ask about, and give you advice on, your diet, smoking and alcohol use, and teeth-cleaning habits.
• Discuss with you a date for your next visit.

How often should I have a dental check-up?

After your check-up, your dentist will recommend a date for your next visit. Depending on your oral health and hygiene the time to your next check-up could be as short as three months or as long as two years (or up to one year if you're under 18). Generally, the lower your risk of dental problems, the longer you can wait before your next check-up.

Between your check-ups, you may have other appointments for dental treatments such as fillings, teeth cleaning (scale and polish), having a tooth taken out or emergency treatment.

If you have problems with your teeth between check-ups, contact us to make an appointment – we’re always happy to see you!