A dental check-up is more than just a routine visit. It is a vital step in protecting your long-term oral health. During your dental check-up at TEETH @ Tiong Bahru Dental Clinic in Singapore, our experienced team carefully assesses your teeth, gums, and overall oral health. These visits allow us to detect problems early, provide professional cleaning, and give you personalised advice to keep your smile healthy and confident.
During a dentist check-up, our dentist will perform a comprehensive tooth examination to assess the overall health of patients’ teeth, gums and mouth. This includes checking for any signs of tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer and other dental problems. Our dentist will also evaluate your bite, jaw alignment, and any existing dental work, such as fillings, crowns, or bridges.
A dental check-up appointment typically involves a thorough cleaning of your teeth, known as prophylaxis. Our skilled dentist will remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth and along the gum line, helping to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. They may also polish your teeth to remove surface stains, leaving your smile looking brighter and healthier.
You may also be asked to provide updated medical information or receive advice on further preventive treatments during your visit. Establishing good health habits is an important part of preventive care discussed during your regular dental check-up.
Benefits of Dental Check-Ups
The benefits of regular dental checks, including teeth, gums, oral and perioral health, allow your dentist to catch problems at an early stage. This generally means the condition will be easier to treat and that the treatment is more likely to succeed.
Your routine dental check-up and dental examination offer numerous benefits for your oral health:
- Early Detection of Dental Problems: Regular dental check-ups allow our dentist to identify and address dental issues in their early stages, such as cavities, gum disease and oral cancer. X-ray examinations may be used to detect hidden dental problems that are not visible during a standard clinical exam, ensuring thorough early detection. Early detection and treatment can prevent these problems from progressing and require more extensive, costly procedures in the future.
- Preventive Care: During your dental checkup, our dentist will provide personalised advice on maintaining good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and flossing. They may also recommend preventive treatments, like fluoride applications or dental sealants, to help protect your teeth from decay.
- Improved Overall Health: Your oral health is closely connected to your overall health. Regular dental checks can help identify and address oral health issues linked to other systemic health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease and respiratory issues. Maintaining good oral health can contribute to better overall health and well-being.
If you are wondering how often you should get a dental check-up, most dentists recommend a visit every 6 months. However, your dentist may suggest more frequent visits if you have ongoing dental issues or specific oral health needs.
Dental Check-Up Process
Our dental team will start by checking your jaw joint movements, lymph nodes and facial symmetry as signs of oral health issues can be visible even before a dentist examines your mouth. They will then check for signs of other oral health conditions, including tooth decay and gum disease. To do this, they will look at your cheeks, tongue, below the tongue, and your palate.
Our dentists will conduct a Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) for every adult at every dentist check-up. This involves a full tooth examination to assess gum health and overall oral health. They will examine each tooth for signs of caries, assess the integrity of existing fillings, and treat them if necessary. As part of the diagnostic tools used during your visit, X-ray imaging may be recommended to help detect underlying dental problems that are not visible during a physical examination.
During the dental examination, your dentist will:
- Assess your gum health by measuring the depth of the spaces between your teeth and gums, known as periodontal pockets. This helps determine whether you have signs of gum disease, such as gingivitis or periodontitis.
- Check for tooth decay by visually examining each tooth surface and using special instruments to detect soft or decayed areas. They may also use a laser cavity-detection tool to identify cavities at their earliest stages.
- Evaluate the condition of any existing dental work, such as fillings, crowns, bridges or implants, to ensure they are still functioning correctly and not showing signs of wear or damage.
- Screen for oral cancer by examining your lips, tongue, throat and the inside of your cheeks for any unusual lumps, patches or sores indicative of pre-cancerous or cancerous changes.
X-rays may be recommended as part of your dental examination. At TEETH @ Tiong Bahru, we utilise advanced digital X-ray equipment that emits significantly less radiation than older film systems. Digital images are fast, safe, and stored directly on the computer for easy viewing, helping us detect issues like hidden decay or problems below the gum line that are not visible during a standard clinical exam. They can help detect issues that may not be visible during a visual examination, such as:
- Cavities between the teeth or under existing fillings
- Impacted or misaligned teeth
- Infections in the bone
- Cysts or tumours
- Developmental abnormalities
At the end of the examination, your dentist will discuss your overall oral health and give you a customised treatment plan for your consideration. Please don’t hesitate to ask our team any questions at any time throughout the process. Your treatment is under your control. We will only proceed with the treatment to which you have consented.
Early Detection and Treatment
Early detection and timely treatment are central to effective dental checks. Regular visits allow your dentist to identify potential problems before they become serious, helping to prevent cavities, gum disease and oral infections from progressing into more complex and costly issues.
During a dental check-up, your dentist examines your teeth, gums and mouth, often using diagnostic tools such as X-rays to detect hidden problems. This makes it possible to spot cavities, gum disease and other concerns early, ensuring they are treated promptly.
If issues are found, your dentist will create a tailored treatment plan. Preventive care may include fluoride treatments, scaling and polishing or stain removal, all aimed at tackling current concerns and preventing future ones.
Your dentist will also provide practical advice for maintaining oral hygiene between visits, helping reduce the risk of dental problems. Most patients are advised to schedule dental checkups every 6 to 12 months, depending on their needs.
The benefits of regular dental check-ups extend beyond your mouth. Poor oral health has been linked to systemic conditions, such as heart disease, so addressing problems early supports both dental and overall health. By making your bi-annual regular dental check-ups a priority, you can prevent the progression of oral health issues, maintain a healthy smile, and support your overall well-being.
Cost of Dental Check-Up in Singapore
The cost of dental check-ups and examination consultation fees varies depending on the complexity of each patient’s needs. The cost of a dental check-up in Singapore ranges from $32.70 to $163.50.
At TEETH @ Tiong Bahru Dental Clinic, everyone has access to quality dental care. We offer competitive and transparent pricing for our dental check-up services. The cost of your dental check-up will depend on factors such as the type of examination required, additional diagnostic tests, e.g. X-rays.
Our friendly staff will be happy to provide a detailed breakdown of the costs of your dental checkup and discuss any available payment options or dental insurance plans that may help make your dental care more affordable.
Contact TEETH @ Tiong Bahru Dental Clinic today to schedule your dental check-up appointment and take the first step towards optimal oral health!
