Discovering beautiful smiles

        

Checkups start with a visual inspection of your teeth and gums. The dentist will then start on one side of your mouth and working their way around they will count your teeth and make a note of any fillings that are present, any teeth that are missing and any wee holes in your teeth or areas that they want to keep an eye on.

Using a 'probe' or 'explorer' the dentist will gently feel for bumps and valleys on the surface of the tooth. If the dentist notices any 'tackiness' on the surface of the tooth, it might be a soft area which would indicate decay is present.

X-rays are still an important part of any dental examination to help diagnose any problems under the surface or around the foundations of the teeth. As part of a routine check of your mouth, the dentist will also want to have a look at your gums. You may notice from time to time when you are brushing your teeth that there is a little bit of blood when you spit out. This bleeding may indicate the presence of gingivitis or gum disease. A visual check of the gums will usually tell the dentist if there is gingivitis or gum disease