Teeth
Not all tooth decay problems require dental fillings but if left untreated, it can lead to abscess and toothaches.
If we identify any decay developing, we will point it out to you and provide a detailed diagnosis.
Dental Check Up
Written by Dr. Cheng Eng Wah
Going for a dental check up every few months is and should be an important part of your oral hygiene routine. While you can keep up with dental care at home, professional cleaning at a clinic is required to remove plaque that personal dental care cannot.
At i.Dental, we have a team of dentists and oral hygienists that can provide a full suite of dental services. A thorough examination will be done followed by the necessary treatment to keep your pearly whites clean.
A dental check up is a routine appointment when the dentist checks on your dental condition, does a thorough cleaning and gives advice on how to maintain good oral hygiene.
It is recommended to schedule a dental check up every 6 to 12 months. This can allow you to identify any early signs of dental diseases and to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Dental check ups allow you to get advice from your dentist regarding good oral habits, check for any possible issues to get them treated and do a routine cleaning.
Dental Advice
During a check up, our dentists will share their advice and information about adopting good oral health habits. This will allow you to learn more about dental hygiene and how to take charge of your oral health.
In fact, the World Health Organisation states that the majority of oral health issues are preventable. All it takes is to have good habits!
Early Detection
Most oral health problems can be easily cured if detected and treated in the early stages. A check up allows you to catch issues early before they become too serious or irreversible. This is especially important in cases where the signs are not visible to the eye.
If detected early, you can avoid more expensive and invasive treatment in the future.
Oral Health Maintenance
Clock in a thorough cleaning of your teeth and gums during a dental check up! This helps to prevent tooth decay and gum diseases.
At i.Dental, this may include one or more of these:
- Scaling and polishing: To remove plaque and tartar
- Topical fluoride: To prevent the development of decay
- Airflow stain removal: To remove stubborn plaque, tartar and stains
Here is what to expect during a dental check up at i.Dental:
Step 1: Medical History
Your dental health check up begins with a medical history update in which our clinical staff will check with you regarding any drug allergies or medications that you may be taking.
Step 2: Routine Check
Next, you will go through a thorough assessment of the following:
- Teeth: Check for any pain and sensitivity and presence of tooth decay
- Gums: Check for the presence of ulcers and other gingival diseases
- Bite: Check if your teeth can bite well together
Step 3: Identify Any Concerns
After the assessment, we will explain more about your dental condition and raise any concerns.
Gums
Signs of gingival diseases include bad breath, tooth loss, loose teeth or pockets between teeth and gums.
If we notice any of the above signs, we will share possible treatment options to improve your gum health.
Bite
Your feelings matter to us. Thus, our staff will chat with you about your satisfaction level regarding your bite.
If you have crooked teeth and your bite can be corrected, we can propose suitable orthodontic solutions.
Should a separate treatment plan be required, we will provide an explanation on the options so you can make an informed decision.
Step 4: Cleaning
Once you understand your options, the next step is to clean your teeth via scaling and polishing. In some cases, topical fluoride treatment and airflow stain removal may be done if required. This will depend on the patient’s teeth condition.
Scaling and Polishing
Scaling involves using an ultrasonic scaler to loosen hardened plaque (calculus) with gentle vibrations. Thereafter, a water spray is used to wash off any debris.
Polishing is done with a spinning brush to remove plaque and stains from the surface of your teeth, while smoothing the surface to prevent dirt from accumulating easily.
Topical Fluoride Treatment
It is recommended to get topical fluoride treatment done every 3 to 12 months.
Benefits include
- Strengthening tooth enamel
- Preventing dental cavities
If required, we will recommend this treatment for you.
Airflow Stain Removal
Airflow stain removal uses a jet of aerated water (usually a combination of air, water and sodium bicarbonate) to remove plaque from the teeth.
It also polishes your teeth simultaneously. This is an effective method for plaque removal and is done for patients with more serious teeth stains.
Step 5: X-rays (If Required)
X-ray examinations may be required to detect any possible decay or other dental problems that you may have that are not visible. Our dentists will be able to advise if it is necessary.
Step 6: Tailored Advice
To end off the check up, we will provide dental advice including
- the types of food and drinks to avoid to minimise wear and tear of your teeth,
- good oral health habits and
- how often you should schedule a dental check up.
The frequency of going for a check up is usually every 6 to 12 months, but this is dependent on your dental condition.
The cost of a dental check up at i.Dental depends on the type of treatment that you need.
A simple consultation and oral examination costs $21.60 to $54 (includes GST). Thereafter, scaling and polishing will be done and this can range between $64.80 to $162.
Topical fluoride treatment and airflow stain removal may be done if necessary.
Consultation and Oral Examination
$21.60 - $54
(Inclusive of GST)
Scaling and Polishing
$64.80 - $162
(Inclusive of GST)
Topical Fluoride Treatment
$37.80 – $48.60
(Inclusive of GST)
Airflow Stain Removal (Prophyjet)
$16.20 - $54
(Inclusive of GST)
To make dental treatment more affordable, CHAS, Merdeka Generation and Pioneer Generation card holders are eligible for subsidies for certain services.
Here is a general guideline of the subsidy amounts for dental check ups:
| Consultation | Up to 2 consultations per calendar year^ | ||||
| Scaling and polishing | Up to 2 scaling and 2 polishing per calendar year | ||||
| Fluoride treatment | Up to 2 topical fluoride per calendar year |
^With a 6-month interval between the 2 consultation claims in the calendar year. Only applicable to initial consultations for new patients or follow-up consultations where the dentist suggests a new treatment plan and conducts a full oral examination.
The amount stated above serves as a guideline only. The final amount payable is dependent on the complexity of the respective procedure.
Team of Experienced Dentists
Started in 1989, our dentists and dental hygienists at i.Dental have accumulated over 30 years of experience in the industry.
Conveniently Located Clinics
i.Dental has 4 dental clinics in Singapore conveniently located near MRT stations in Tanjong Pagar, Ubi and Yishun.
FAQs
A dental check up will usually consist of a consultation followed by scaling and polishing. Any additional treatment such as topical fluoride and airflow stain removal may be done as required.
The time required for each portion are as follows:
- Consultation: 10 minutes
- Scaling and polishing: 30 minutes
- Topical fluoride application: 3 – 5 minutes
- Airflow stain removal: 20 minutes
Dr. Cheng, Clinical Director and Founder of i.Dental, recommends scheduling a dental check up every 6 to 12 months. As every case is unique, it is best to consult your dentist so that they can advise on a suitable frequency based on your dental condition.
Generally, a dental check up should include a/an
- Consultation to understand more about your dental health
- Medical history update
- Assessment of gums, teeth and bite
- Scaling and polishing
- Topical fluoride treatment (if necessary)
- Airflow stain removal (if necessary)
- Sharing of dental advice such as oral hygiene and lifestyle habits
- Scheduling of your next dental check up
The best way to maintain oral hygiene is to cultivate good dental habits! Some of these good practices include:
- Brush your teeth thrice a day for 2 minutes
- Floss at least once a day
- Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste when brushing your teeth
- Schedule dental check ups every 6 months
- Schedule professional teeth cleaning every 6 months
- Avoid smoking