Dental Check Up

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Regular dental visits are important in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Regular check-ups help the dental team find problems early, when the treatment is often simple and affordable.

Problems such as cavities (dental caries) and gum disease (periodontal disease) will most often remain painless (asymptomatic) until the problem becomes difficult and expensive to fix or extraction is the only option.

Coming to see your dentist or hygienist regularly helps you keep dental costs down and your teeth and smile looking healthy and beautiful!

Comprehensive Dental Examination (Check-Up)

During your check up your dentist may ask you about your health, dental history and any dental concerns you have. This will help in them to understand what your treatment needs may be and what your expectations are.
Your dentist will then begin their examination of your mouth, surprisingly for many this starts with a thorough oral cancer screening. They will examine your skin, jaw, muscles, lymph nodes, lips and soft tissues linings of your mouth.
The condition of your teeth will then be "charted". This is when the dentist reads out lots of jargon (e.g. missing 18, 17MOD composite). This gives the dentist a base-line recording of what treatment you have had done and what, if any treatment you do require. We are able to use an intra-oral camera to show you any specific areas of concern or interest.
The dentist will then explain any significant findings to you, working with you to come up with a plan that you are happy with.

Digital X-Rays

Dental x-rays are taken in order for the dentist to examine the areas of the mouth not visible to the naked eye.
These x-rays show in between the teeth, underneath any fillings, the bone which supports your teeth and any other hidden dental structures.
The and the images appear instantly to be analysed by your dentist.
Digital x-rays have a very low radiation dose, with one routine x-ray having less radiation than you receive by simply living a day in New Zealand!
At Cromwell Dental Centre we also have the facilities to take Panoramic x-rays. These images show us any wisdom teeth, you jaw joints, and many more structures around your face and mouth. These also have a low radiation dose, being less than what you would receive on a domestic flight.

How to Brush Your Teeth

Brush your teeth at least twice per day, morning and evening, for 2 minutes.
Use a soft, small headed toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your gums, with gentle circular motions.
Your toothbrush should be changed every 3 months.
Most electric toothbrushes remove more plaque than manual toothbrushes. To use an electric toothbrush glide the brush head against each tooth surface for a few seconds, and let the mechanical movement of the brush provide the cleaning action.
Be sure to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride is a natural mineral found in water and toothpaste, which can help make teeth stronger and prevent tooth decay.
Clean the areas between your teeth at least once a day using dental floss or inter-dental brushes.
You may want to use a mouthwash to help get rid of plaque bacteria, and to freshen breath.

Your dental professional can advise further with tailored oral health advice specifically designed for you.

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Experience the Cromwell Difference and achieve a brighter, healthier smile today.

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