Dental Check-Up in North York

About the service

A dental check-up is an examination of your teeth, gums and mouth by a dentist. The Ontario Dental Association (ODA) says regular exams help the dentist find problems early, when they are simpler, less painful and less costly to treat. A small cavity, for example, can be filled before it gets bigger.

Many dental diseases cause no pain or other symptoms at first; by the time pain or swelling appears, the disease has already progressed. Gum disease, for example, does not hurt until its final stages, so it often goes unnoticed, but a dentist can detect it during an exam.

Dentists can also spot early signs of mouth and throat cancers, and signs of other conditions such as diabetes. The ODA says that if a dental problem is not treated, it can worsen and end up needing treatment that is more intensive, more painful and more costly.

What happens during a dental check-up?

At your first appointment the dentist asks for your medical history, and it is kept up to date at later visits. Tell the dentist about every medication you take: side effects can affect your mouth, and some medications interact.

The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO), which regulates Ontario dentists, explains that health conditions and medications can change how dental care is provided, for example by affecting blood clotting or the immune system. The dentist must have this information before starting treatment, and your medical history questionnaire is not shared outside the office without your permission.

The dentist may do parts of the exam together with other members of the dental team, and the steps vary with your concerns, your health and your lifestyle. They then bring the findings together to make a diagnosis.

What does the dentist look for?

The dentist checks your teeth for damage, decay and early signs of cavities, and looks at how fillings, crowns and other earlier work are holding up. They also check your gums and the position of your teeth, such as spacing and bite.

Beyond the teeth, the dentist looks for early signs of mouth or throat cancer and other suspicious growths, checks the tongue, cheeks, roof and floor of the mouth for bleeding or inflammation, and looks for signs of clenching or grinding and at the health of your jaw joint. The exam may include feeling the glands and lymph nodes in your neck for signs of inflammation.

Your dentist or dental hygienist may also do a periodontal (gum) examination, placing a small measuring instrument between the tooth and the gum to measure how deep the pocket is.

What should you tell the dentist?

Mention any changes you have noticed, such as a loose tooth, gums that bleed when you brush or sensitivity to hot or cold, and say if you clench or grind your teeth.

Tell the dentist if you smoke or often drink alcohol, as this may raise the risk of certain oral cancers. If you are pregnant, say so: the dentist may suggest putting off certain treatments until after the pregnancy.

What if you feel nervous about a check-up?

Tell the dentist. The ODA says talking to your dentist is the first step in dealing with dental anxiety, and that it may help you feel more relaxed.

If you have a low tolerance for pain, say so as well. The ODA suggests raising your hand during the exam if you need a break.

When are X-rays taken, and what do they show?

In a dental office, only a dentist can prescribe X-rays, and only after reviewing your health history and examining you. The RCDSO says the number, type and frequency should be based on your own dental history and your signs and symptoms, balancing what the images can show against unnecessary radiation.

X-rays let the dentist see problems below the surface, such as cavities under fillings or below the gum line, fractures, impacted wisdom teeth, abscesses and bone loss caused by gum disease. In children, the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) says they show decay between the teeth and whether teeth are coming in the way they should.

If you have had X-rays at another dental office recently, mention it: where possible, the dentist should obtain copies of them. You also have the right to copies of your own dental records, including X-ray images.

What happens after the exam?

If the dentist finds a problem, you are given a treatment plan and options for care. Ask about anything in the exam, the diagnosis or the plan that you do not understand, including why a treatment is recommended, whether there are alternatives and what would happen if you delayed or refused it.

Your options depend on your needs, not on what a dental plan covers. You can always seek a second opinion, though you will likely pay for another examination and consultation.

Your dentist can tell you about the oral health risks of smoking and vaping and help you stop. You can also ask about diet: the ODA suggests eating things that contain sugar or acid less often and for shorter periods.

Who carries out a dental check-up?

Only a dentist can diagnose dental disease. A dental hygienist can assess the health of your mouth, teeth and gums but cannot give a formal diagnosis. X-rays may be taken by the dentist, a registered dental hygienist, or a dental assistant or other staff member who has completed a course approved under the Healing Arts Radiation Protection (HARP) Act.

When treatment may be complex, your dentist may refer you to a dental specialist: a dentist who has done extra training in one area of dentistry.

What infection control standards do dentists follow?

All Ontario dentists must follow the RCDSO's infection prevention and control standards, which cover areas such as hand hygiene, sterilizing equipment and personal protective equipment.

How are fees for a check-up set?

Fees vary from one dentist to another. The ODA explains that they reflect factors such as how complex the treatment is, how long it takes, and the materials, equipment, sterilization and staff involved.

The ODA publishes a Suggested Fee Guide each year, listing services with codes and suggested fees. Dentists and dental plans may use it as a reference, but dentists set their own fees and are not required to follow it, and many plans base their coverage on it. Because the Guide uses technical terms rather than everyday words like check-up, ask your dentist which services you need and what they cost.

An estimate is rarely given without an exam, since every person's needs differ. After the exam, your dentist reviews any treatment options and gives you a cost estimate for the treatment plan before going ahead, and the RCDSO treats the cost discussion as part of your consent to treatment.

If you have dental benefits, ask your benefits provider what your plan covers, including cleanings and X-rays. Almost all plans limit how many exams they cover. Your dentist can send a pre-treatment form so the plan tells you in advance what it covers, although this predetermination is not a promise that it will pay.

When should you contact the dentist between check-ups?

If an unusual area or symptom in your mouth, throat or neck lasts longer than two weeks, the ODA advises going to your dental office as soon as possible rather than waiting for your next check-up.

If you have a concern about your teeth or gums before your next visit, call the clinic during opening hours.