Regular care for your teeth and gums

The two parts of the visit do different jobs. The check-up is the assessment: your dentist looks for problems and works out what, if anything, needs attention. The clean removes deposits from your teeth. Finishing one does not mean you have agreed to the other, or to any treatment that comes up afterwards, and you can ask your dentist to explain each part as it happens.

Dental check-up guide describes the examination as covering your teeth, gums, lips, tongue and mouth, and it also looks at existing fillings. dental treatment guide describes the cleaning as removing plaque, calculus and debris, followed by polishing. If your dentist raises an older filling or another repair, they explain it separately from the clean. Our general dentistry page lists the wider care that may follow. Before you leave, ask for a short summary of what was found, what to do at home and whether anything needs another appointment.

If you are unsure which part of the visit applies to you, ask when you book. We can tell you what to expect at your appointment, so nothing on the day comes as a surprise.

Not hurting is a good sign, but it is not proof that all is well. tooth decay information notes that early decay can have no symptoms, so a problem can be there before you feel it. Your dentist can check for that, and you decide what to do with what they find.

Brushing also has a limit. teeth cleaning guide says brushing at home cannot remove hardened calculus, which is why a professional clean still has a place when you brush well. If you have noticed a rough spot or a change in tooth shape, mention it. tooth erosion guide describes acids from food, drink or reflux wearing away tooth structure, and a polish does not address that. If your gums are a worry, our gum disease treatment page explains what extra care can involve. You can ask your dentist whether your visit is a routine clean or something more, and what each would mean for you.

If time or cost is the reason you have put a clean off, tell your dentist. They can talk through what is sensible for you and when you should come back.

Your dentist decides, and tells you why before taking any image. The decision depends on your oral health, past treatment and risk of disease, so it can differ from one visit to the next and from one person to the next. If you think you do not need one, say so and ask what your dentist hopes to see.

Dental X-rays guide says bitewing images help look for decay and check the bone around teeth, and it describes the exposure as much less than from other everyday sources of radiation. Tell your dentist if you are or might be pregnant before any image is taken. If you have had recent X-rays elsewhere, mention them and ask whether they can be used. If an image shows something that may need repair, ask what it means and whether it needs treatment now. Our tooth fillings page explains one common repair.

You can always ask for the reason in plain words. A clear answer tells you what the image can show, what it cannot show and how the result might change your care.

Tell us before you start. You can say what bothers you, such as the scraping sound, water in your mouth or one sensitive tooth. Agree on a hand signal so you can ask for a pause at any point. Asking for a break is a normal part of the visit, and you do not need to apologise for it.

Dental anxiety and phobia guide includes agreeing on a stop signal and talking through coping approaches. teeth cleaning guide advises telling your dental practitioner about very sensitive teeth before cleaning begins. Point to the tooth and describe what sets it off, such as cold or touch. sensitive teeth guide says sensitivity can have different causes, so your dentist may want to look at the tooth first. Our general dentistry page covers the wider assessment if the worry goes beyond cleaning.

If a bad experience has kept you away from the dentist, you can say so. Telling us early helps us plan the visit around you, and you stay in charge of how it goes.

There is no single answer, so ask your dentist. They can tell you when to come back based on your own teeth and gums, and why. If a return date is for a particular finding, ask what they want to check. If the date is hard to keep because of work, transport or cost, say so and ask what is sensible for you.

11 oral health messages says the right check-up frequency differs between people, so a friend's schedule may not suit you. teeth cleaning guide notes a higher risk of periodontitis in people with diabetes, particularly when blood glucose is poorly managed, so mention your health history. If you notice something new before your next visit, such as a sore spot or sensitivity, do not wait for the date. Our gum disease treatment page is useful if your visits relate to gum care. Moving a visit without asking can leave a finding unchecked, so talk to us first.

If you have private health cover, check whether your fund sets limits on how often it pays towards a clean, as that may affect your timing. Your dentist can still advise on what your teeth need.

Not always. Bleeding is a reason to have your gums looked at, but it does not tell you which treatment you need. Tell your dentist where it happens, when you first noticed it and whether you have soreness, a bad taste or a tooth that feels loose. Do not try to label it yourself. Your dentist examines your gums and explains whether a routine clean is enough.

Gum disease guide lists bleeding, swelling and loose teeth as reasons to see a dentist, and advises you to keep brushing and cleaning between your teeth carefully in the meantime. flossing guide says bleeding that continues despite regular cleaning between the teeth is worth a dental check. Scrubbing harder is not the answer. Ask your dentist to show you the pressure and technique that suit you. If more than a routine clean is suggested, our gum disease treatment page explains what that involves.

Before the visit, write down when the bleeding started and any change in your routine around then. That detail helps your dentist more than a guess about the cause.

Ask what the fluoride is for in your case, how it is applied and what to do afterwards. Fluoride is a preventive step, not a repair, and your dentist should be able to explain why they suggest it for your teeth. You can say no or ask for time to think. If it is for a child, ask for advice that suits their age rather than adult directions.

Fluoride guide explains that fluoride helps protect enamel against acid and supports the return of minerals in early decay. It also says too much fluoride while teeth are developing can cause fluorosis, which changes how enamel looks, so follow the amounts you are given. Bring the name of your toothpaste or a photo of the tube, as products differ. Our general dentistry page covers any separate treatment your dentist may propose. Keep fluoride advice apart from any suggestion to repair a tooth, so you know what each part is for.

If you are unsure after hearing the explanation, ask for it to be repeated or written down. You are not expected to decide on the spot.

Ask for an estimate before the visit that lists the examination, the clean and any extras such as X-rays or fluoride. Our fees page is a starting point, but your final cost depends on what your dentist recommends for you. If you have private health cover, check with your fund before you come, because the rebate depends on your policy and the items billed.

Cost of dental care guide explains that policies differ in what they cover and that most dental care is not covered by Medicare. private health insurance guide says funds set their own rebates and annual limits. For an eligible child, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule may help with basic services, so check eligibility first. Our payment options page explains how you can pay. If cost is a worry, say so when you book so we can plan around it.

If the estimate changes during the visit, ask for the new amount to be explained before treatment goes ahead. Keep a copy of the estimate with your appointment details.

A short list is enough: your concerns in the order you want to raise them, your current medicines, any allergies and any worries about the visit. If one tooth feels different, note when it happens. If you are unsure what the problem is, describe what you feel in everyday words. You do not need dental terms. Tell us when you book if you feel anxious or have sensitive teeth.

Dental check-up guide says your dentist may ask about past dental care, medicines and allergies, so update anything that has changed. If you wear a splint for grinding, bring it, as teeth grinding guide recommends having its condition checked at routine visits. If you need help with access or want a support person with you, ask us through our contact us page before the day. You do not need to invent a symptom to book. A check-up is also a chance to talk about your usual cleaning and any older dental work.

If you are booking for a child, tell us their age and anything that worries them. Our kids dentistry page has more for parents.

Follow the advice your dentist gives you for the care you actually had, and ask about anything unclear before you leave. If something feels different afterwards, describe where it is, what sets it off and how long it lasts. Ask who to contact and what counts as a reason to call, so you are not left guessing.

Sensitive teeth guide advises seeing a dentist if sensitivity continues or turns into pain. Swelling that affects your breathing or speaking, or that involves the eye or neck, needs emergency medical care, as toothache and gum swelling guide explains. For other concerns, use our contact us page and tell us your symptoms and when they began. teeth cleaning guide says most people do not need an extra mouthwash, so follow any rinse your dentist specifically recommends.

If you are not sure whether a symptom is urgent, call us and describe it. If you cannot reach us and you are worried, seek advice from another dental or medical service.