How often to have a check-up, and what actually happens at one

Why six months

For most adults, a check-up every six months is a sensible rhythm. Decay and gum disease usually progress slowly and don't hurt at first. In six months a small change rarely has time to become a big problem, so it can usually be dealt with by a simple filling or a clean.

That interval isn't right for everyone, though. Some patients do better coming in more often, every three or four months:

• if you have gum disease or your gums are receding
• if you smoke
• if you have diabetes
• if you are pregnant, because gums become inflamed more easily during pregnancy
• if you wear fixed braces or have a lot of old fillings and crowns

If your teeth and gums have been in good shape for a long time, the dentist may suggest less frequent check-ups. This is agreed after the examination, not in advance.

What happens at a check-up

A check-up takes about 30 minutes and costs 3,000 RSD. That is time for a lot more than “open wide, all looks fine”.

1. A short conversation. We ask whether anything has changed: new medicines, pregnancy, sensitivity, bleeding gums. Medicines matter because some of them dry out the mouth, and decay progresses more easily in a dry mouth.
2. Checking each tooth. The dentist checks the edges of old fillings and crowns and looks for new dark spots and cracks.
3. Gums. With a thin probe, the dentist measures the depth of the space between each tooth and the gum. If it is deeper than before, that is an early sign of gum disease.
4. Soft tissues. We look at your tongue, palate, cheeks and the floor of your mouth. A sore that won't heal is better checked early.
5. Bite. Worn teeth or cracked enamel can mean that you clench or grind your teeth at night.
6. X-rays, when needed. We don't take X-rays at every check-up. We take a panoramic X-ray (OPG) of the whole jaw when there is a reason, for example if we suspect decay between teeth.

At the end you get a short explanation: what is fine, what should be monitored and what needs treatment, with an approximate price. A scale and polish is a separate service and can be booked straight after the check-up.

What you can do between check-ups

• Brush twice a day for two minutes, with a fluoride toothpaste.
• After brushing, spit out the toothpaste but don't rinse your mouth with water straight away. That way the fluoride stays on your teeth for longer.
• Once a day, clean between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes. An ordinary toothbrush doesn't reach those spots.
• Keep sweets and sugary drinks for mealtimes instead of snacking on them throughout the day. How often you have sugar does more harm to your teeth than how much you have.
• If your gums bleed when you brush, don't stop cleaning them. Bleeding is usually a sign of inflammation, and inflammation settles when plaque is removed regularly.

When not to wait for your check-up

Get in touch sooner if sensitivity to cold doesn't go away, if a filling has fallen out, if your gums keep bleeding for more than two weeks despite good care, or if a sore in your mouth hasn't healed within two weeks. The same goes for bad breath that doesn't go away.

When your next check-up is due, a reminder arrives by email and SMS, so you don't have to remember the date yourself.