Treatments / Everyday dentistry
General Dentistry & Check-ups
Routine examination, professional cleaning and preventive care for adults and children. Most of what makes dentistry expensive and uncomfortable is what happens when a small problem is left, so this is the part worth being consistent about. A routine dental checkup and cleaning is where most of this begins, and tooth pain is a common reason people book one.
Who this is for
- Regular six-monthly check-ups
- Bleeding gums or bad breath
- Children's dental care
What actually happens
- Examination of teeth, gums and soft tissues
- Scaling and polishing to remove plaque and tartar
- X-rays where something cannot be seen directly
- A written note of anything that needs attention, with no pressure to do it that day
What a check-up includes
A check-up starts with a few questions: any pain, sensitivity or bleeding, anything that has changed since your last visit, and your general health. Diabetes, pregnancy and medicines such as blood thinners all affect dental care, so mention them even if they seem unrelated.
Then each tooth is checked for decay, cracks, and old fillings that have started to leak or break down. The gums are checked for bleeding and pockets, and the tongue, cheeks, palate and floor of the mouth are looked at for ulcers, patches or lumps. Your bite and jaw are part of it too.
The cleaning comes after. Scaling removes tartar, the hard deposit that forms where plaque has been left and that a toothbrush cannot shift. Polishing then takes off surface stain. Check-ups, cleaning and fillings are done by Dr. Manasa Bandi, the clinic's own dentist. For children, Dr. Sonika Reddy, a specialist paediatric dentist, attends the clinic.
How often to come, and when not to wait
Every six months suits a lot of people, but it is a starting point, not a rule. If you have gum problems, a lot of fillings or crowns, or diabetes, or if you smoke, you may be asked to come more often. If your mouth has been healthy and stable for a long time, the gap can sometimes be longer.
Some things should not wait for the next check-up: tooth pain that keeps you up at night or lingers after something hot or cold, a swelling on the gum, a broken tooth or a lost filling, gums that still bleed after a week or two of careful brushing, or an ulcer that has not healed in three weeks. Book an appointment for any of these.
Swelling is different. A swelling that spreads towards the eye or into the neck, or makes it hard to swallow, breathe or open your mouth, or comes with a high fever, is an emergency. Go to a hospital emergency department, and call 108 if breathing is difficult.
Does scaling harm the enamel?
This is a very common worry. Scaling is meant to remove tartar, not tooth, and when it is done properly it does not wear away enamel or loosen healthy teeth.
What people notice afterwards usually has another explanation. Teeth can feel sensitive for a few days because root surfaces that were covered by tartar are exposed again. Small gaps can appear where tartar had been filling the space and the gum had already pulled back underneath it. Gums that bleed during cleaning were usually inflamed already, and they tend to settle as they heal.
If sensitivity lasts more than a couple of weeks, mention it at the clinic. A toothpaste for sensitive teeth often helps in the meantime.
If your face or gum has started to swell, when swelling from a tooth is urgent sets out the signs that mean hospital first, and what to do while you wait to be seen.
Questions people ask
How often should I get a dental check-up?
It depends on your mouth. Every six months suits many people, but someone with gum disease or a lot of dental work may need to come more often, and someone whose mouth has been stable for years may be able to wait longer.
Does scaling weaken teeth or remove enamel?
Not when it is done properly. Scaling removes tartar from the tooth surface, and any sensitivity afterwards usually settles within a few days.
Why do my gums bleed when I brush?
The usual reason is gum inflammation caused by plaque and tartar at the gum line. Avoiding the area will not fix it. It usually settles after a professional clean and careful brushing at home, so it is worth getting checked.
Do I need an X-ray at every check-up?
No. X-rays are taken when something cannot be seen directly, such as decay between teeth or under an old filling, or the bone around the roots. How often you need them depends on your teeth and your history.
Does a check-up hurt?
The examination itself does not usually hurt. Scaling can be uncomfortable where gums are inflamed or teeth are sensitive, so tell the dentist, and the area can be numbed if needed.
