What we check
A check-up isn’t only about holes in teeth. In one visit the dentist looks at:
- Teeth: new decay, old fillings that are breaking down, cracks, and wear from grinding or acidic drinks.
- Gums: bleeding, swelling and the depth of the small gap between gum and tooth. This is how gum disease is picked up before teeth become loose.
- Bite and jaw: clicking, pain when opening, and signs that you clench at night.
- The soft tissues: tongue, cheeks, palate and floor of the mouth. Any ulcer or patch that hasn’t healed in three weeks needs a closer look, especially if you smoke or chew tobacco or gutka.
- Crowns, bridges, dentures and implants: fit, cleanliness and anything coming loose.
What happens at the visit
- A few questions. Any pain or sensitivity, changes in your health, medicines (especially blood thinners and diabetes medicines), and pregnancy.
- The examination. A mirror, a light and a gentle probe. Nothing hurts.
- X-rays if needed. Usually small films of the back teeth, or one of a painful tooth.
- What we found, in plain words. You’ll hear what’s healthy, what needs watching and what needs treatment, and how soon. If something can safely be watched, we will say so.
- A cleaning if you want one. Scaling and polishing can usually be done in the same visit. See teeth cleaning.
You won’t be booked in for treatment on the spot. If you need fillings or anything more, you get the options and a written estimate first and decide in your own time.
Signs you should come before your next check-up
- toothache, or a tooth that hurts when you bite
- sensitivity to cold or sweet that lingers
- gums that bleed when you brush, or bad breath that doesn’t go away
- a loose tooth, a broken filling or a chipped tooth
- swelling of the gum or face
- a mouth ulcer that hasn’t healed in three weeks
If you are in pain, call us. We check the earliest available appointment for tooth pain.
How often you need a check-up
There is nothing magic about six months. It’s a sensible default, but the right interval depends on your mouth. Someone who has had no fillings in years and has healthy gums can often come once a year. Someone who is getting new decay, has gum disease, has diabetes or smokes benefits from coming every three to six months. We will tell you which group you are in and why.
Check-ups for the whole family
We see children, adults and older patients at the same clinic. For children the first few visits are short and friendly, and the aim is a child who isn’t afraid of the dentist. Where a child needs more specialised care, our paediatric dentist sees them. For older patients with dentures or implants, the check-up includes the fit of the denture and the health of the gums underneath it.
What affects the fee
The consultation fee is confirmed when you book. X-rays and cleaning are charged separately, and only if they are done. Any further treatment is quoted in writing before it starts.
Questions patients ask us
How often should I get a dental check-up?
For most adults with healthy teeth and gums, every six to twelve months is about right. If you have gum disease, get a lot of decay, smoke or have diabetes, we will suggest shorter gaps. People with very low risk can sometimes go longer. UK NICE guidance sets the range from 3 months to 2 years for adults, based on individual risk, which is the approach we follow.
How long does a dental check-up take?
About 20 to 30 minutes for the examination itself. If you also have a cleaning (scaling and polishing) in the same visit, allow 45 minutes to an hour.
Is a dental check-up painful?
No. It involves looking, gently probing the gums and sometimes an X-ray. If your gums are inflamed they may bleed a little when measured, which is useful information rather than damage.
Do I need X-rays at every check-up?
No. Small X-rays are taken when there is a reason, for example to look between back teeth for decay, to check a painful tooth or to see bone levels around the gums. How often depends on your history. The radiation dose from a small dental X-ray is very low.
Is a dental check-up covered by health insurance in India?
Most Indian health and mediclaim policies do not cover routine dental check-ups or cleaning. Some cover dental treatment needed after an accident, or as part of a hospital stay. Check your own policy wording, and ask us for an itemised bill if you want to claim.
Should my child have check-ups too?
Yes. The first visit should be by your child's first birthday or within six months of the first tooth. After that, every six months is usual. Children's visits are short and mostly about getting used to the chair, checking for early decay and showing parents how to brush.
Can I get a check-up on a Sunday?
Yes. The clinic is open every day from 10am to 8pm, including Sundays.
Sources
NICE CG19: dental recall intervals ↗NHS: dental check-ups ↗ADA MouthHealthy: dental X-rays ↗Last updated 22 October 2026. This page explains options in general terms; your own plan comes from an examination.