Regular visits to the dentist: the key to maintaining good oral health

How often do you visit the dentist for a routine check-up? At Harley Street Dental Clinic we generally advice that you should have a check-up every six months, to ensure your mouth remains healthy and your smile stays happy. Every patient’s needs vary, of course, and some people may need to attend more frequently, whilst others may need to come less often.

oral-healthYou should always follow your dentist’s advice – and it goes without saying that if you experience anything unusual in between standard appointments, you should come to see your dentist at Harley Street straight away.

The benefits of general dental check-ups

Many common conditions, such as tooth decay and gum disease, have few early warning signs that are noticeable at home. At Harley Street Dental Clinic we use the latest technology and techniques so that we can spot the early signs of these problems before they become serious. Your dentist may use x-rays to help in their diagnosis. This often enables them to spot decayed teeth that have yet to produce any outward symptoms.

As with most things, with dental health problems the sooner they are spotted, the easier they are to treat.

At Harley Street Dental Clinic we are committed to preventative dentistry – stopping problems before they start. Regular visits to the dentist and the hygienist for a professional tooth clean are essential steps in this process.

When you register as a new patient at our Harley Street clinic, your dentist will follow a detailed nine-step plan to assess your dental health, diagnose any problems, and treat them as appropriate.

This involves:

  1. Complete examination of your teeth, gums and surrounding structures
  2. Take x-rays as necessary
  3. Ask about any dental health issues you may have
  4. Discuss how diet and habits such as smoking can affect oral health
  5. Review your teeth cleaning habits
  6. Thoroughly explain any further treatment you may need, including hygienist appointments and referral to specialist colleagues as appropriate
  7. Provide you with a fully-customised treatment plan
  8. Answer your questions
  9. If you need no further treatment, let you know when to book your next check-up.