11187 Dental Check Up

Overview

A dental check-up is a routine appointment with a dentist or dental team to look at your teeth, gums and mouth — even when nothing feels wrong. It is sometimes called a dental exam or a 'six-month check'. The main aim is to catch small problems early, give you practical advice, and help you keep your mouth healthy for life.

Very common. Most people are invited for regular dental check-ups throughout their life, and dentists see millions of check-up appointments every year. It is one of the most routine appointments in healthcare.

Everyone with teeth or gums — babies with their first tooth, children, teenagers, adults, and older adults, including people who wear dentures or implants. Pregnant people, smokers, people with diabetes and anyone who has had gum problems may be advised to go more often.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• No symptoms at all — this is the most common reason for a routine check-up
• Gums that bleed a little when you brush or floss
• Bad breath that does not go away
• Teeth that feel sensitive to hot, cold or sweet foods
• A dull ache or twinge when chewing
• Dark spots, holes or rough edges you can feel with your tongue
• Food getting stuck between the same two teeth
• A dry mouth, or a sticky feeling in the mouth
• Jaw clicking or tenderness around the jaw joint
• Staining or tartar (hardened plaque) you cannot brush away

Symptoms in children

• The first dental visit is usually recommended when the first tooth appears, or by the child's first birthday
• White or brown spots on the front teeth (an early sign of decay)
• Teeth that look worn or chipped
• Thumb sucking or using a dummy for a long time, which can affect how teeth sit
• Frequent sugary drinks or snacks, including juice in a bottle at bedtime

Symptoms in older adults

• Dry mouth, often linked to medicines or health conditions, which raises the risk of decay
• Gums that have pulled back, showing more of the tooth root
• Loose teeth, or dentures that no longer fit well
• Difficulty chewing or eating certain foods
• Mouth ulcers, sore patches or lumps that have not healed after three weeks
• Changes in taste, or discomfort that is hard to describe

Causes

Main causes

• Tooth decay: bacteria in plaque feed on sugar and produce acid, which slowly softens the tooth surface
• Gum disease: plaque and tartar build up along the gumline and make the gums inflamed
• Wear and tear, grinding, or chipping from injury
• Diet and drinks high in sugar, or sipping sugary drinks through the day
• Smoking or vaping, which reduce blood flow to the gums and slow healing
• Dry mouth from medicines or health conditions, which lets decay develop faster

Risk factors

• A high-sugar diet, especially frequent sugary snacks and drinks
• Not brushing twice a day, or brushing without fluoride toothpaste
• Smoking, vaping or chewing tobacco
• Drinking a lot of alcohol
• Diabetes and other long-term health conditions
• A dry mouth, or taking several medicines that reduce saliva
• A previous history of decay or gum disease
• Pregnancy, which can make gums more sensitive
• Dental anxiety that leads to long gaps between visits
• Limited access to dental care or difficulty affording treatment

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Facial or neck swelling with trouble breathing or swallowing — call your local emergency number straight away
• A tooth knocked out by injury — try to see a dentist within an hour
• Severe pain, spreading swelling, or fever with a dental problem
• Bleeding from the mouth that will not stop with pressure
• A mouth sore or lump that has not healed in three weeks

Book a routine appointment if:

• It is time for your regular check-up (your dentist will tell you the suggested gap)
• Your gums bleed when brushing, or your breath has changed
• You notice a new sensitivity, a rough patch or a dark spot on a tooth
• You are pregnant, starting a new medicine, or have been diagnosed with diabetes — your dentist may want to review your mouth
• You are planning to stop smoking and want support with your oral health
• A denture, filling or crown feels loose or uncomfortable

Diagnosis

A check-up is a hands-on examination, not a blood test. Your dentist will ask how your mouth has been, look at your medical history and any medicines, then examine your teeth, gums, tongue and the soft tissues inside your mouth using a small mirror and a gentle probe. They may take X-rays or photographs, and they will usually talk you through what they see as they go.

Tests that may be done

• A visual examination of your teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks and throat
• Gentle probing around the gums to check for bleeding and gum pockets
• Dental X-rays to look for decay between teeth, under fillings, or in the bone
• Photographs or a small intra-oral camera to show you what the dentist sees
• A check of how your teeth bite together and how any dentures fit
• A referral for a specialist opinion if something needs a closer look

What to expect at your appointment

The appointment usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. Expect questions about your general health and medicines, a careful look inside your mouth, and a conversation about what, if anything, needs doing. Many people also have a scale and polish (professional cleaning) at the same visit. You should leave knowing how your mouth is, what the plan is, what it will cost, and when to come back.

Treatment

Treatment depends entirely on what the check-up finds. Often the answer is simply 'everything looks fine — keep doing what you are doing'. When something is found, your dentist will explain the options in plain words, including the benefits, the alternatives and the cost, and you decide together what to do next.

Self-care at home

• Brush your teeth for about two minutes, last thing at night and at one other time during the day, with a fluoride toothpaste
• Spit out after brushing and do not rinse with water, so the fluoride stays on your teeth
• Clean between your teeth once a day with floss, interdental brushes or a water flosser
• Keep sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes rather than snacking through the day
• Choose water or plain milk between meals
• Chew sugar-free gum after meals if it helps you, especially if your mouth is dry
• Stop smoking if you can — your dental team can point you to support
• Wear a mouthguard for contact sports

Medical treatments

If treatment is needed, it is carried out by your dental team and usually explained step by step. Common approaches include a professional clean to remove hardened plaque, a filling to repair a small cavity, a protective coating or sealant to shield vulnerable teeth, a deeper clean for gum problems, root canal treatment for an infected tooth, or removal of a tooth that cannot be saved. Replacement options such as bridges, dentures or implants may be discussed if teeth are lost. Your dentist will decide whether any medicine is appropriate and will explain why — medicines alone do not fix decay or gum disease, and they are only used in certain situations.

When is surgery considered?

Most dental treatment happens in the dental chair with the area numbed, and you stay awake. A small operation may be suggested for a badly broken tooth, an impacted wisdom tooth, or significant gum problems. For people who are very anxious or need complex work, sedation or a hospital visit may be an option. Your dentist will explain what is involved, the risks and the recovery time before you decide.

Living with this condition

Looking after your mouth is a daily habit rather than a one-off fix. Two good brushings, cleaning between your teeth once a day, and watching how often you have sugar will do most of the work. Keep a note of when your next check-up is due, and tell your dental team about any new medicine or health diagnosis, because these can affect your mouth.

Lifestyle tips

• Build brushing into your morning and bedtime routine so it does not get forgotten
• Keep a spare toothbrush and paste at work or in your bag
• Swap fizzy drinks and juice for water where you can
• If you smoke, ask your GP, pharmacist or dental team about stop-smoking support
• Cut down on how often, not just how much, you eat sugary foods
• Protect your teeth with a mouthguard if you play contact sports
• If you grind your teeth, ask your dentist about a night guard

Diet and exercise

Your teeth respond to how often they meet sugar, not just how much. Aim for meals rather than constant snacking, and keep sugary treats to mealtimes. Cheese, plain yoghurt, nuts and crunchy vegetables are tooth-friendly choices. Staying active and keeping to a healthy weight helps your general health, and conditions like diabetes are easier to manage — which in turn protects your gums.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Dental anxiety is very common, and so is feeling embarrassed about the state of your teeth. Both can keep people away from the dentist for years, which makes problems bigger and worry stronger. Tell the team how you feel before you go — you can agree to go slowly, take breaks, or raise a hand to pause. If fear of the dentist, or worry about your teeth, is affecting your sleep, mood or daily life, please talk to your GP or dental team. If you ever feel you cannot keep yourself safe, contact your local emergency number or a crisis support service straight away.

Prevention

Most tooth decay and gum disease can be prevented or slowed a great deal. Regular check-ups, good daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between the teeth and limiting how often you have sugar make the biggest difference. These habits work best started early and kept up for life.

Screening programmes

The check-up itself is the screening test for tooth decay, gum disease and mouth cancer. Your dentist checks the soft tissues of your mouth at every visit, which is why going even when nothing hurts matters. How often you are seen is based on your risk, so it may be every few months for some people and every year or two for others.

Complications

If left untreated

• Small cavities can grow into large ones, leading to pain, infection or loss of the tooth
• Gum disease can progress quietly and damage the bone that holds teeth in place
• A dental abscess can cause swelling, fever and, rarely, a serious spreading infection
• Lost teeth can affect eating, speech and confidence, and may need costly replacement
• Long-term gum inflammation has been linked with poorer control of conditions like diabetes and heart health
• Mouth sores or patches that are not checked may delay finding something that needs early attention

Long-term outlook

The outlook is genuinely good. Most dental problems are slow to develop, simple to fix when found early, and largely preventable with everyday habits. Even if it has been a long time since your last visit, it is never too late to start — dental teams are used to helping people begin again, at a pace that suits you.

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