Examination

We recommend a dental examination every six months to maintain your oral health.

Dental decay is the destruction of the tooth or teeth, it occurs as a result of demineralisation of the enamel.

Dental decay (caries) can occur in all ages, however, there is an increased prevalence in children, who tend to consume more sugary foods and drinks. There is also an increased likelihood of caries in adults above the age of fifty due to gum recession.

Without prevention dental decay could lead to tooth extraction or root canal treatment. It can also cause an unpleasant taste in the mouth and cause halitosis/bad breath and need some form of treatment.

1 Reduce the frequency of sugary snacks and drinks - If you need to snack, snack on foods such as nuts and fresh or dried fruit
1. Be aware of hidden sugars in foods such as in cakes, biscuits and savoury snacks
2. Use a good quality fluoride mouthwash after meals and after sugar intake
3. Brush twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste
4. Floss daily
5. If you have exposed roots discuss with your dentist in regards to using a medicated Fluoride toothpaste which help prevent root caries/decay

Oral cancer can form on the surface of the tongue, lips, mouth and gums and in rare instances can form in the salivary glands and the tonsils. There are a few symptoms that can suggest mouth cancer, these include; ulcers that do not heal after two weeks, pain or discomfort in the mouth, red or white patches in the mouth and lumps in the neck. It is a serious and quite an aggressive form of cancer, so early detection and treatment can greatly increase survival rates. The best and most effective way to catch mouth cancer is through regular oral cancer screening.

During your examinations at the practice, your dentist will carry out an oral cancer screen by checking outside and inside your mouth for signs. We look and feel for lumps on your neck, below the chin and below your ears. Inside the mouth, we look for red or white patches and anything which does not look normal.

All trained dentists in the UK spend many hours during their degree course studying oral cancers, especially learning how to detect cancers and people at risk. After qualification dentists attend regular post qualification courses reinforcing this knowledge, learning about new developments and treatments.