How often to have a dental check-up

A tooth that does not hurt is not necessarily healthy. Decay between teeth cannot be seen in the mirror, early gum inflammation does not hurt, and a cracked filling only shows once greater damage has developed beneath it. A preventive check-up is meant for exactly these conditions that are not yet sending a signal.

At the check-up, the dentist looks for decay, including on the contact surfaces between teeth, assesses the condition of the gums and supporting tissues, checks the seal of old fillings and crowns, looks for signs of teeth grinding, and examines the lining of the mouth and the tongue. Imaging is part of the check-up when there is a reason for it.

The interval between check-ups is not the same for everyone. For adults without problems, a check-up once a year is a common recommendation. A shorter interval makes sense for children, pregnant women, people with gum disease, people with many fillings and replacements, and those who have a dry mouth because of medicines. What applies to you is decided by the dentist based on what they see in your mouth.

Tartar is a chapter of its own. It builds up where the toothbrush does not reach: along the gum line, between the teeth and on the inner side of the lower front teeth. Once deposits harden they can no longer be removed at home, so they are removed by a dental hygienist. The visit does not end with cleaning; the second part is a conversation about which toothbrush suits you and whether you need interdental brushes or floss.

At home, consistency matters more than force. Brush twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, and clean between your teeth once a day, ideally before brushing so that the fluoride toothpaste also gets in between. After an acidic meal or drink, wait about half an hour before brushing, as the enamel is softer then. Replace the brush head when the bristles splay, usually every few months.

The dental clinic at the centre works under the public health insurance scheme of the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia (ZZZS) and on a self-pay basis. What applies in your case depends on whether you are registered with the clinic and on the type of service. Dental hygiene and procedures at the implantology and oral surgery clinic are self-pay; check the price when you book.

For your first check-up, bring your health insurance card and an identity document, a list of the medicines you take and information about allergies. If you have X-rays or reports from your previous dentist, bring them with you; they often shorten the path to a treatment plan.

Some conditions do not wait for a routine check-up. With severe facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and high fever, seek emergency medical help. If a tooth has been knocked out completely, hold it by the crown and not the root, do not scrape tissue off it, and keep it in milk or saline until your visit.