Your dental check-up

If you have a dental problem you should, in the first instance always phone the dental practice that you normally attend. If you are not registered with any dental practice then your nearest dental practice will still be able to help.

You may assume you should have a dental check-up every year. But some people may not need to go so often and others may need more frequent checks.

The time between check-ups can vary from 3 months to 2 years, depending on how healthy your teeth and gums are and your risk of future problems.

A check-up allows your dentist to see if you have any dental problems and helps you keep your mouth healthy. Leaving problems untreated usually leads to pain, tooth loss and could make them more difficult to treat in the future, so it’s best to deal with problems early, or, if possible, prevent them altogether.

What to expect at your check-up

During your check-up your dentist will:

  • ask how your general health is, how your teeth have been since your last visit and if you are taking any new or changed medications
  • look in your mouth and carry out an examination of your teeth, gums and mouth
  • carry out any necessary treatments, tests or X-rays they feel you require
  • ask about your lifestyle and provide any advice on diet, smoking, alcohol and teeth cleaning to help improve your oral health
  • inform you of when you should visit for your next check-up, this could be anywhere between 3 months to 2 years depending on your needs

Even if you brush and floss routinely and thoroughly it’s still best to visit your dentist at regular intervals. Not only will they be able to check the general health of your teeth and gums but they will be able to monitor your mouth for any early signs of problems such as dental decay, gum disease and oral cancer.

What happens during a dental check-up?

In most cases, your visit to the dentist will be for a routine check-up. Most will start by asking you a few general health questions and enquire whether you have experienced any dental problems or pain. Your dentist should then carry out a full dental examination of the soft tissue lining of your mouth, teeth and gums.

If there are any signs of dental problems, your dentist will offer advice about changes you could make to your lifestyle (such as stopping smoking or changing your diet), as well as oral care tips.

If these habits could lead to problems in the future, he or she will explain what you might be at risk of, as well as the associated treatments and costs that might be needed.

If you have a build up of calcified plaque, otherwise known as tartar build up, you may require Professional Mechanical Plaque Removal of calculus.

If your dentist finds further problems, they will recommend the next steps you will need to take. This could be the need for fillings to damaged or decayed teeth, treatment for gum disease or further tests to aid diagnosis. This usually comes in the form of a written treatment plan, which you sign before commencing any treatment. If this is not offered, please feel free to ask for one.

Dental treatments

Your dentist will decide and inform you at the time of your appointment what, if any, treatment you may need. An NHS dental examination in Scotland is free of charge. You will be able to access NHS dental treatment free of charge in some cases.

Find out more about accessing dental treatment.

Everyone who falls out with the categories entitled to free dental treatment will be required to pay 80% of their NHS dental treatment costs up to maximum of £384 per course of treatment.

Find out about dental charges for specific treatments at Scottish Dental

If you are being seen as a private patient at your dental surgery then costs can vary. Charges for treatments in your dental surgery should be clearly displayed and explained to you.

X-rays

It is routine for your dentist to carry out X-rays, on occasion, during your dental check-up. X-rays allow your dentist to not only identify existing problems which might not be visable during a routine dental examination yet, but to be aware of any problems that may present in the future.

In adults X-rays can identify dental decay, impacted teeth, jawbone damage, cysts, tumours and abscesses. X-rays taken of children’s mouths will allow the dentist to see where the adult teeth will grow in.

Your dentist will decide which type of X-ray you need and will explain why you are receiving an X-ray and how the X-ray works. Your dentist or dental assistant will set the machine up and normally leave the room before taking the X-ray. This is to ensure your dentist doesn’t get to much exposure to the machine. Your dentist will only take X-rays when they believe it to be necessary.

If you are pregnant the dentist should only perform an X-ray in an emergency situation.

Fear of the dentist

Dental anxiety can be very common but there are several methods you can use to help you overcome them. Discussing your fears with a dentist should be your first step but there are a number of psychological techniques you could use, as well as options for conscious sedation.

Avoiding the dentist because of fear can have serious implications for your dental health. Speaking to your dentist about any fears or anxieties you have could help put your mind at rest before your check-up.

Last updated:
20 December 2022

There are no NHS operators available to chat at this time

Search for dental health services