Bayside 6 Monthly Dental Checkups
Our teeth live in a harsh environment. In the mouth there lives billions of harmful bacteria, that can damage our teeth. These bacteria produce acid which will lead to tooth decay. Other bacteria will cause gum disease.
If that wasn’t enough, teeth grind against each other all day which eventuate to sensitivity and cracked teeth. Man, get in to see your dentist twice a year to help stave off these problems, and have your teeth looking and feeling strong.
Dental check ups for kids
Our dentists, especially Dr Suzanne, love to see the little ones. Children’s check ups are very important. When they start at a young age then these regular visits become easy and fun and patients become content at seeing us. Routine dental hygiene visits at a young age means good habits are ingrained early on, taking these into adulthood.
From a dental perspective, seeing patients early on, means orthodontic issues are picked up in as young as age 3, and orthodontic interceptive treatments can be managed at around ages 6-9. Therefore, early orthodontics can help fix the bad bite or malocclusion in the early years, potentially reducing lengthy, complex orthodontic treatment in adolescence.
Dental check ups for adults
At your twice yearly check up, the lovely dentists at BFD will:
- Assess your medical history and current medication
- Check your teeth, gums, soft tissues ( oral cancer screening )
- Check airways, TMJ (jaw) assessment, and lastly an orthodontic assessment.
- X-Rays to detect decay and/ or infection will be decided by the dentist on a individual basis based on risk of decay, but generally they are taken every 2 years.
Dental check ups for seniors
All age groups need regular 6 monthly check ups and seniors are no different, they should have two checkups per year minimum but really should see their dentist for three dental check ups annually.
As we get older, our health declines, and we are generally on more medications. These all affect our mouth and saliva. Also dexterity is affected and we can’t clean our teeth as well as we could when younger, so there is a high risk of decay for our seniors. Cracked teeth are more prevalent and gum disease affects more so in later life. Your dentist may recommend coming in 3 times a year to keep on top of all these issues.
Frequently Asked Questions - 6 Monthly dental checkups
Do 6 monthly dental checkups include a clean?
Yes, after a few months, daily plaque has built up and has matured so much that it forms a thick crystalline layer that sits on the lower front teeth. This layer appears a yellowish colour and will obstruct the spaces between the teeth. No fancy toothbrush will remove this, this has to be professionally cleaned.
Do you really need to see the dentist every 6 months?
You are never forced to come in, but 6 months is the norm for dental checkups.
Those who do not come in as often as every 6 months, certainly notice their cleans can be more hands on. This is because early / immature dental plaque is soft and easy to brush off. A dental biofilm starts to reform seconds after you brush your teeth. Plaque starts to multiple and stick together all over again to form woven chains. It eventually starts to harden and crystalise on the tooth and form a layer. The layers build up and after a few months it is impossible for any fancy brush or floss to effectively remove. This is when you need your dentist or hygienist for a professional clean.
A cavity can drastically get bigger in the period of a few months especially in the presence of plaque. So, a small filling can become a large filling within 6 months.
Cracks can propagate and cause serious damage if left unattended to.
On a side note, if you have a health fund, they will allocate rebates twice yearly for dental examinations, cleans and Fluoride treatments. (All health funds policies are different, do contact your fund with questions on what preventative services you are allocated per year.)
How often should you have dental check up?
At LEAST twice a year, though Seniors should look at three times per year.
Things can change quickly in the mouth over several months, so twice a year is sufficient to keep on top of healthy gums, and manage decay, and also to refresh oral hygiene instructions. Twice yearly management is proactive rather than reactive. Some lovely patients come in 3 times a year, and these people rarely have dental issues.
How much does a dental check up usually cost in Melbourne?
If you are with a health fund with preferred providers, then these costs are fixed. Bayside Family Dentistry are preferred providers with HCF. Dentists who are not with preferred providers choose their own costs for check ups. Their costs range from approximately $59-79 per check up.
Does health insurance cover dental checkups?
Yes, the vast majority will cover these as they are classed as preventative and typically you will receive rebate on 2 check-ups a year.