Check-up and clean
A calm, thorough examination and clean every six months, with x-rays only when they are due.
Illustrative photographWhat it involves
A check-up and clean is a routine examination of your teeth, gums and mouth, followed by a professional clean to remove plaque and tartar that a toothbrush cannot reach. The dentist looks at each tooth, checks your bite and jaw joints, and screens the soft tissue of your mouth, tongue and throat.
The clean itself uses hand instruments and a slow-speed polisher to remove built-up plaque and staining along the gum line and between teeth. It is not the same as whitening, and it will not change the underlying colour of your teeth.
When it’s recommended
Most adults are advised to have a check-up and clean roughly every six months, though your dentist may suggest a different interval depending on your gum health, how quickly plaque builds up for you, and any past treatment. If you have not been for some years, this is still the right first appointment — we will simply take a bit longer to catch up.
What to expect on the day
Expect the appointment to run about 45 minutes. We start with a short conversation about anything that is bothering you or has changed since your last visit, then the examination, then the clean. X-rays are taken only when they are due, based on your history and what we can see, and we will explain why before taking any.
If the examination finds something that needs attention — a small area of decay, a worn filling, gum recession — we will show you on the screen and talk through the options rather than starting unplanned treatment on the day.
Aftercare
Your teeth and gums may feel slightly sensitive for a day or two after a thorough clean, particularly if it has been a while between visits or your gums were inflamed. This usually settles on its own. Ordinary brushing and flossing can resume straight away.
If any sensitivity is still noticeable after a week, or you notice bleeding that does not improve with better brushing, it is worth calling the practice.
Fees
A periodic check-up and clean is quoted from our sample fee schedule. A first visit is billed as a new patient examination, which includes bitewing x-rays where they are due. See our sample fees for common treatments.
Comprehensive examination, two bitewing x-rays, scale and clean, fluoride
Examination, scale and clean, fluoride
Sample fees for demonstration only. A real clinic would publish its own schedule and confirm the fee before treatment.
Questions people ask
- Will it hurt?
- A clean can feel like pressure or vibration rather than pain. If an area is sensitive, tell us during the appointment and we can adjust technique or pressure.
- Do I need x-rays every visit?
- No. X-rays are taken on a schedule that depends on your risk of decay and gum disease, typically every one to two years for a low-risk adult, and we explain the reason each time.
- What if you find a problem during the check-up?
- We will describe what we found, show you where possible, and give you a written plan with fees so you can decide when and whether to go ahead. Nothing is done without your agreement.
- Can I book a check-up and clean if I'm anxious about the dentist?
- Yes. Let us know when booking and we can allow extra time and agree on a pause signal in advance — see our page on care for nervous patients.