Dental Check-Ups & Cleaning Perth
A Dental Check-Up Isn’t Just for Tooth Pain
You don’t need to have a sore tooth to book a dental check-up in Perth. Decay and gum disease are usually painless in the early stages, which is exactly why a regular check-up and professional cleaning matter. Your dentist looks for anything out of the ordinary, so any issues get picked up early while they’re still simple to treat. A dental check-up in Perth suits just about everyone, from children having their first look to adults who haven’t been in for years.
What’s Included in Your Check-Up & Clean
Your dentist examines each tooth and the soft tissue around it. This may include checking previous dental work such as fillings, crowns or other restorations. If something needs a closer look, they may take an X-ray to see between teeth and the bone underneath. The check-up also includes a quick oral cancer screening and a look at how your teeth meet when you bite (your “occlusion”). Your dentist will explain what they’ve found, and you can ask questions as you go.
The cleaning part of the appointment removes plaque and hardened tartar from areas your toothbrush and floss may not reach properly. Dentists call this a ‘scale and clean’. After scaling, your teeth are polished, often with an Airflow system that uses a fine jet of water and powder to lift surface stains. You’ll also get a gum health check and practical advice from our experienced dental hygienists.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Arrival & Health History
New patients fill in a short medical history so we know about any conditions or medications that affect treatment. You can do this in advance from home through our patient portal or in the waiting room before your appointment.
Examination
Your dentist checks your teeth, gums and bite. X-rays are taken at the same time, but only on the dentist’s recommendation and with your consent. If your dentist finds something that needs attention, they’ll talk you through a treatment plan.
Clean & Review
The dental hygienist scales and polishes, then talks through what they saw during the teeth cleaning and whether anything needs following up. Before you leave, we’ll discuss your home routine and when your next appointment should be.
How Often Should You Have a Dental Check-Up in Perth?
Australian Government health guidance recommends most people get a dental check-up every six to twelve months. However, the right interval depends on the health of your teeth and gums. Your dentist may recommend a different schedule based on your gum health, tooth decay risk, medical history and previous treatment.
You may need to come in more often if you:
- Smoke
- Have diabetes
- Are pregnant
- Have a history of gum disease
Plaque and inflammation can build faster, so your dentist may suggest three- or four-monthly visits for a while to monitor your health.
If it has been a while since your last dental check-up or professional teeth cleaning, let us know when you book. You won’t be asked to explain. We’ll start with what’s happening now.
Dental Check-Up & Cleaning FAQs
Have questions about teeth cleaning or dental check-ups? If you can’t find the answers here, our team is always happy to help.
Allow 60 minutes for a dental check-up and clean in Perth at Dental 359. This includes time for an examination, professional clean and a discussion of the findings. If it’s your first time visiting us, we ask that you arrive 10 to 15 minutes earlier to complete the registration process.
A routine clean may feel unusual, but it shouldn’t be painful. You may notice some sensitivity if there’s inflammation, exposed tooth surfaces or a considerable build-up of tartar. Let us know if an area is uncomfortable. We can pause, adjust the approach and discuss ways to manage sensitivity.
The cost for a dental check-up and clean in Perth depends on what you need. X-rays, additional cleaning, or on-the-spot treatments can change the final amount. We don’t quote a figure online, as it wouldn’t be accurate for everyone. Most dental check-ups in Perth aren’t covered by Medicare, though private health insurance usually covers part of the cost.
We’ll give you a clear price before we start anything, and our payment plans can help spread the cost of larger treatment.
Scaling removes plaque and hardened tartar from the teeth and around the gumline. Polishing smooths the tooth surfaces and may reduce some external staining*. A polish doesn’t remove tartar, so it doesn’t replace scaling. The two are often carried out during the same professional cleaning appointment.
*Polishing won’t change the natural shade of your teeth, so if you’re after a brighter smile, read up on our teeth whitening services.
No, you don’t always need X-rays. Your dentist only recommends X-rays when they need to see something a visual exam can’t, like decay between teeth or the bone supporting them. How often you need them depends on your age, your risk of decay, and what’s changed since your last set. If you have recent X-rays from another clinic, bring them or ask for them to be sent over.