Check-up and clean

Dental check-ups at Richmond Road Dental

At Richmond Road Dental, your journey to dental health begins with a thorough dental check-up. Our dentists follow a process designed to pay attention to detail, including:

• a thorough review of your medical history. Your dental and general health are closely related. Your dentist needs to know what medicines you are taking as many affect oral health, and some can interact with local anaesthetics and other dentist-prescribed medications.
• an oral cancer check. Oral cancers can be successfully treated when detected early.
• a jaw joint check. Our dentists look for signs of jaw dysfunction.
• a thorough check of the gums. Most people who have gum disease are unaware of its presence. Gum disease can ultimately lead to tooth loss, so our dentists like to detect and treat it as early as possible. They will make note of the presence of irritated gums, dental plaque, and calculus (tartar).
• a thorough check of the teeth. Our dentists aren’t just looking for tooth decay. They also notice crack lines, signs of wear and tear, enamel erosion, and other signs of damage.
• a thorough check of all restorations. Our dentists will check the integrity of fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, and other restorations.
• an examination of the bite. Our dentists will make note of tooth alignment, crowding, and bite problems.
• a thorough check of removable appliances. This includes dentures, sports mouthguards, whitening trays, oral appliances for snoring, and occlusal splints.
• necessary dental x-rays. Dental x-rays provide insight into parts of the teeth and gums that are otherwise invisible.
• dental photography. Our dentists may take intra-oral (“inside the mouth”) or extra-oral (“outside the mouth”) photos to monitor dental conditions, aid treatment planning, and give our patients a closer look at their own teeth and gums.
• diagnostic tests as needed. 
• dental impressions. Our dentists may make casts of a patient’s teeth to assist with treatment planning.

Following the check-up, our dentists will explain their findings and encourage you to ask questions. They may want to review their findings after the appointment to plan your treatment. 

Professional teeth cleaning

Following on from the check-up part of the appointment, our dentists will provide a thorough professional cleaning.

During cleaning appointments, our dentists remove plaque, calculus (tartar) and staining from the teeth and gums. If needed, they will apply fluoride or a desensitising agent to the freshly cleaned teeth.

Our dentists are champions of preventative dentistry and want to help all our patients keep tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral diseases at bay. They ensure every patient knows how to prevent plaque build-up through good toothbrushing and flossing techniques. 

Sometimes, our dentists recommend specialty brushes (such as interdental brushes, end-tuft brushes, or floss aids) or specific dental products (such as concentrated fluoride toothpaste or rinses, remineralisation products, or dry mouth products).

At the end of the appointment, our dentists advise the patient about further treatment appointments or when to schedule their next check-up.

Resources about dental check-ups and cleans

Learn more about check-ups and cleaning

• Oral cancer (Opens in a new tab) – An article by the Australian Dental Association
• Pregnancy (Opens in a new tab) – An article by the Australian Dental Association about having a dental check-up and treatment during pregnancy
• Flossing (Opens in a new tab) – An article by the Australian Dental Association
• Brushing teeth (Opens in a new tab) – An article by the Australian Dental Association
• Should I clean my tongue? (Opens in a new tab) – An article by the Australian Dental Association
• The importance of seeing the dentist for regular check-ups (Opens in a new tab) – An article by the Australian Dental Foundation
• The importance of flossing (Opens in a new tab) – An article by the Australian Dental Foundation

Downloadable information sheets about dental check-ups and cleans

Download these helpful information sheets

• Medical history – A fact sheet produced by the Australian Dental Association
• Oral cancer – A fact sheet produced by the Australian Dental Association
• Professional teeth cleaning – A fact sheet produced by the Australian Dental Association
• Tips for brushing teeth – A fact sheet produced by the Australian Dental Association
• Tips for cleaning between teeth – A fact sheet produced by the Australian Dental Association
• Fluoride – A fact sheet produced by the Australian Dental Association