Dental Check-Ups

A lifetime is a long time. Especially for our teeth which have to withstand some pretty tough conditions. It’s important to make sure that we look after our teeth, by keeping them as healthy and clean as possible.

That’s why we recommend visiting the dentist every 6 months to check and maintain your teeth in the best condition possible.

We also know how important those baby teeth are, and the staff at Lyons Dental love providing check-ups and care for children. Have a look at our Lyons Dental children’s dentistry services for more information.

The importance of dental check-ups

At Lyons Dental we focus on preventative dentistry. We prefer to prevent problems before they even occur. We fix the little problems early, which is usually much easier & cheaper to do as opposed to when they become big problems. A lot can change in 6 months! Therefore, a regular 6 monthly dental check-up can save you a lot of pain and expense in the long-term.

Over time, if food (dental plaque) is allowed to build up on your teeth it can harden into tartar, which can no longer be removed with brushing or floss. Only a dental professional is able to remove this tartar effectively. Failure to do so can result in accumulation of bacteria around the teeth & gums, which can go on to cause gum disease & early loss of teeth. And who doesn’t love the feeling of recently cleaned & polished teeth?

It is also important that your dentist checks your teeth thoroughly for any signs of dental decay & monitors existing fillings and restorations to ensure that they are still working effectively.

What can you expect during your dental check-up?

Our dentists will want to get to know you. We’ll chat about any problems that you may be having inside your mouth, or any issues you may want to improve. Your medical history is important with medical conditions & medications possibly effecting oral health. We may also discuss any relevant lifestyle factors such as your diet & oral habits. This initial conversation is important because our Doctors need to paint a picture of your oral health & understand your concerns.

This will allow our dentists to give you tailored advice and treatment. Every dental check-up gives us the opportunity to assess any changes to your teeth and help us decide the best course of action moving forward.

A general dental checkup from Lyons Dental will usually include:

A Visual Check

An examination of your mouth, teeth & gums will be conducted.

Teeth Charting

Generally, every patient will have their teeth charted so that the Lyons Dental team can keep a record of the existing condition of your teeth & gums, record any changes, and make any plans for future treatment.

X-Rays

An X-Ray gives us a look at what’s going on underneath the surface. A visual examination is great for revealing any problems or decay that may be visible on the surface, but an x-ray can reveal problems in between teeth, underneath fillings, or in the roots or bone surrounding the teeth. At Lyons Dental we use only very low radiation digital x-rays & recommend x-rays only when we feel they are necessary.

Cleaning & Polishing your Teeth

At almost every check-up at Lyons Dental, we will remove any tartar or plaque build up and give your teeth a thorough clean & polish. We will also generally use a fluoride treatment on your teeth to help strengthen your teeth & protect them from decay.

What happens after your check-up?

Following your examination, our expert doctors will provide you with informative feedback, and recommendations for the care & treatment of your teeth. If you require any additional services our staff can provide different options based on your needs, provide a quote for treatment & make plans to carry out this treatment in a timeframe that suits you.

We are also aware dental visits are not everyone’s cup of tea, so all of our rooms are equipped with nitrous oxide (‘happy gas’) to help make your visits a bit more comfortable if you would prefer.

We accept all health fund cards & process the health fund payments at each appointment, saving you the hassle of following up these payments yourselves.