At Syndal Dentistry, we are big advocates in prevention and education so that you can have healthy teeth and gums.
We often don’t associate our oral health with the rest of our bodies, but oral health can sometimes be a big factor in preventing and even managing systemic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. The best way to do that is through a six-monthly check up and clean, so that dental problems can be identified and treated while they are small problems. In dentistry, it is always easier to prevent oral health problems, rather than treating them as they occur!
What to expect at your Mount Waverley dental check up and cleaning appointment:
At your dental check up, you will have opportunity to discuss with our Mount Waverley dentists what your dental concerns and goals are with your teeth, gums, and mouth in general. You will also be able to address any aesthetic or cosmetic goals, such as teeth whitening, teeth alignment with orthodontics or Invisalign, and even veneers or bonding.
Examination: Our dentists will then do a thorough examination and check up to identify oral health disease and conditions such as decay, cavities, acid erosion, teeth crowding and gum disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis. We will also do an oral cancer screening.
X-rays and photos: Sometimes decay and early gum disease cannot be identified just visually; we will need to take X-rays periodically to identify these problems early and treat them before they become big problems. We will often also take photos of your mouth and teeth to give us a fuller picture of your mouth.
Cleaning: Our dentists will then do a professional clean and polish to clean off any tartar and plaque build up, especially underneath the gum and in areas that are hard to reach with just a toothbrush and floss. Regular cleans are one of the most preventative measures we can take to ensure our teeth and gums stay healthy.
Education and treatment plan: We can always provide advice on how to improve your at-home oral care routine, including teaching proper brushing and flossing technique and the use of products that might help strengthen your teeth and keep them healthy.
We may also suggest other preventive procedures that you might not have necessarily thought about to further protect your teeth. Examples may include:
- A night guard, or occlusal splint, if you are grinding or showing signs of acidic erosion. Your teeth may be more prone to chipping, cracking or breaking, and even decay, and a night guard can help protect your teeth
- A mouthguard, if you play sports
- Orthodontics, if your teeth are crowded. Orthodontics isn’t always purely for aesthetic or cosmetic reasons; crowded teeth are usually harder to keep clean and hence more vulnerable to decay and gum problems.
At this point, if any work needs to be done, your dentist will advise you in detail what these procedures will entail and provide you with a comprehensive, personalised treatment plan with options to suit your time and budget.
