Time flies. And it’s easy to let things slip, especially with dental appointments. So, if you’re due for your 6-monthly dental checkup and clean, we can’t blame you for putting it off.
But ask yourself this: do you service your car regularly to prevent any expensive surprises? Yes? The same goes for your teeth. Have a checkup now, and you’ll prevent any tiny problems from developing into a savings-depleting nightmare. There are plenty of perks, too. Let’s take a look.
NB: Not everyone needs a six-monthly dental checkup and clean. Your dentist will tell you how often you need to visit us — some can go longer between visits, while those with dental diseases or conditions may need more regular checkups.
Benefits of a regular dental checkup, scale and clean
Your breath will be fresher
Place your hand over your mouth and gently exhale. Smell fresh? Hopefully, it does because this is what those around you are whiffing when talking or working closely with you. If your breath doesn’t smell so fresh, don’t worry; it may be time for a scale and clean.
During a scale and clean, we remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth. Plaque is essentially a film of bacteria – mostly Streptococcus mutans and anaerobes such as fusobacterium and actinobacteria. And these bacteria smell all kinds of awful.
By clearing the bacteria away from your teeth and gums, you also improve your gum health. In turn, this will reduce your risk for halitosis.
NB: While you can remove some dental plaque by brushing and flossing your teeth at home, you can’t remove calculus. Calculus (tartar) is a hard substance that attaches to your teeth above and below the gum line. You need to have calculus mechanically removed by a dental professional.
Your teeth will look whiter
After your scale and clean, we’ll give your teeth a good mechanical polish, removing stains from various foods and beverages and making your teeth whiter and brighter. They’ll feel smoother and cleaner, too!
Pay NO Gap! Get a Check-up, Scale & Clean* without paying a cent.
Book an appointment now for a checkup & clean and get an exam, scale, clean, bitewing/OPG and fluoride.
No private health cover? No problem. We’ll cap your fee at $199.
*Providing you have health insurance cover. Treatment will only be administered at the discretion of our dental professional.
We’ll check for oral cancers
Oral cancer is one of the world’s most common cancers. There are over 900 new intraoral carcinoma cases registered in Australia each year — that’s around 6.5% of all cancers diagnosed in Australia. And oral cancer isn’t just linked to smoking. While smoking (or chewing) tobacco products and drinking alcohol are common causes, you can get oral cancers through genetics, poor nutrition, advanced age, excess body weight and even the human papillomavirus (HPV). This is why it is essential to regularly check for oral cancers.
At Mills Road Dental, every checkup scale and clean includes a bitewing x-ray and OPG.
- A bitewing radiograph can detect tooth decay and gum disease (periodontal disease).
- An OPG gives a complete view of your upper and lower jaws and teeth. It can detect more serious conditions such as cysts, jaw tumours, impacted wisdom teeth, jaw disorders, sinusitis and oral cancers.
We’ll check for and help prevent gum disease
During your dental examination, we’ll check to make sure there are no signs of gum disease. This is important because gum disease can go largely undetected.
There are two stages of gum disease — the first, gingivitis, is reversible, but the second, periodontitis, is not. So, if you let your gum disease progress to the second stage, you’ll have to manage — without curing it — for the rest of your life.
- Symptoms of gingivitis are pretty mild. You may notice bleeding gums or minor gum swelling or redness.
- Symptoms of periodontitis are more serious. You may notice bad breath, receding gums, wobbly teeth, and even tooth loss.
You’ll care for your whole-body health
Clean, healthy teeth don’t just keep nasty oral health problems at bay; they also help keep the rest of your body healthy. For example, gum disease sets off an inflammatory response. These inflammatory substances are released into the bloodstream. They can trigger or exacerbate information in other body parts, such as your heart or kidneys. Similarly, if you have an oral infection, you stress your immune system, leaving the rest of your body vulnerable to disease and infections. Bacteria from your mouth can also spread your lungs, causing respiratory problems — and gum disease has been linked to various pregnancy complications such as low birth rate and preterm births.
We can discuss cosmetic dentistry
Your dental exam and checkup appointment is also an excellent time to chat with your dental team and discuss the appearance of your teeth. Perhaps they could do with some at-home whitening, or maybe it’s time for new dental veneers or a crown to cover unsightly filling. Whatever the reason, your checkup and clean is a great way to ensure your teeth look their best.