Check ups

A dental examination shows how healthy your mouth is. After your examination, you and your dentist can discuss the results and plan the best way to deal with any problems.

As part of your routine dental examination your dentist will be checking for any signs of mouth cancer.
Mouth cancer can appear as

• An, often painless, ulcer that fails to clear up after about 2 weeks;
• A growth or swelling which has been present for more than about 2 weeks; or
• Sometimes as a white or red patch in the mouth

Most things will turn out to not be cancer but if you have any concerns about any of the above please book an appointment immediately.

It is common at examinations to have dental xrays (radiographs) taken.
There are different types of radiographs that we use

• ‘Bitewings’ are taken approximately every 2 years in adults to check for decay underneath fillings and between the teeth, but not the roots,
• ‘Periapical’ films are placed next to a specific tooth to show the entire tooth including its root,
• ‘Panoramic’ radiographs are large and show all the teeth and the jaw. You have it taken in a separate room, the machine moves around your head whilst you stay still.

Radiographs require tiny amounts of radiation. If you are concerned about safety it may be helpful to know that:

• The amount of radiation involved in taking a dental xray is very low – you are likely to be exposed to more radiation in one aeroplane flight than in a lifetime of dental radiographs;
• Your dentist will only take radiographs if they are needed;
• Xray machines are checked regularly to make sure they are only using the intended amount of radiation; and
• You can still have dental radiographs taken whilst pregnant – it has been proven to be safe and cause no harm to your unborn baby. Your dentist will still likely ask if you are pregnant, and we find that some people would rather wait until after they have had their baby.