What happens at a check-up? A complete walkthrough

Why we wrote this

This article walks you through every step of a routine check-up at North Street Dental Practice. No surprises. No medical jargon. Just a clear, honest description of what happens, what we're looking for, and what it feels like.

Before you arrive

There's nothing you need to do to prepare. You don't need to brush extra thoroughly the morning of (though of course brush normally). You don't need to floss for the first time in months the night before. We're not grading you — we're assessing your dental health so we can help you look after it.

If you have any specific concerns — a tooth that bothers you, a question about cosmetic options, something your previous dentist mentioned — make a mental note or write it down. The check-up is your appointment, and your questions take priority.

Step 1: Reception and medical history (5 minutes)

When you arrive, the receptionist will check you in and ask you to complete or update a brief medical history form. This covers:

• Current medications
• Any medical conditions (diabetes, heart conditions, blood thinning medications — these can affect dental treatment)
• Allergies
• Whether you're pregnant or breastfeeding
• Your GP's contact details

This isn't bureaucracy — it's safety. Certain medications affect how your gums heal, how you respond to anaesthetic, and what treatments are appropriate. We need this information to look after you properly.

Step 2: Meeting your dentist (2–3 minutes)

Your dental nurse will come to reception and walk you to the treatment room. They'll introduce themselves, ask how you're feeling, and check whether you have any concerns or questions before they begin. If you're nervous, this is the moment to say so. "I'm a bit anxious" is all you need. It changes the pace of the appointment — we'll go slower, explain more, and check in with you more frequently.

Step 3: The examination (10–15 minutes)

You'll sit in the dental chair, which reclines slowly. Your dentist will use two instruments for the examination:

A small mirror — a tiny circular mirror on a handle, used to see the back and sides of your teeth. This is the instrument you'll feel most frequently. It doesn't cause any discomfort.

A probe — a thin, blunt-tipped instrument used to gently check the surfaces of your teeth for soft spots, rough edges, or areas of concern. This is not sharp and should not cause pain. If you feel sensitivity at any point, tell us — it's useful diagnostic information, not something to endure silently.

What we're checking

Each tooth, one by one. We're looking for early signs of decay (soft spots, discolouration), cracks, wear, and the condition of any existing fillings, crowns, or other restorations.

Your gums. Healthy gums are pink and firm. We check for signs of gum disease — redness, swelling, bleeding, or recession (gums pulling back from the teeth). We may use a periodontal probe to measure the depth of the pockets around each tooth. Shallow pockets (1–3mm) are healthy. Deeper pockets may indicate gum disease that needs treatment.

Your bite. We'll ask you to close your teeth together and may check how your jaw moves. Uneven wear patterns can indicate grinding (bruxism) or alignment issues.

Your soft tissues. We examine your tongue, cheeks, the roof and floor of your mouth, and your throat. This is a routine oral cancer screening — checking for any unusual lumps, patches, or changes. Oral cancer is rare, but early detection is critical, and this check takes only a few seconds.

Your jaw joint. We may press gently in front of your ears while you open and close your mouth, checking for clicking, pain, or restriction in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Step 4: X-rays if needed (2–3 minutes)

We may recommend digital X-rays, which show us what's happening beneath the surface — between teeth, under existing fillings, and in the bone supporting your teeth. Many problems are invisible to the naked eye and only detectable on X-rays.

What it feels like: A small sensor (about the size of a large postage stamp) is placed inside your mouth, positioned next to the area we want to image. You bite gently on a holder to keep it in place. The X-ray itself takes less than a second and is completely painless.

Radiation exposure: Digital dental X-rays use extremely low radiation — significantly less than you'd receive from a long-haul flight or a day in the sun. We only take X-rays when there's a clinical reason.

Step 5: The conversation (5–10 minutes)

This is the most important part. Your dentist will sit you up and explain what they've found, using plain language. They'll show you any areas of concern on the screen (we use intraoral cameras and digital X-rays so you can see what we see).

We categorise findings into:

• Everything's fine — no treatment needed, see you in 6–12 months
• Needs attention — something requires treatment, we'll explain what, why, and the cost
• Worth monitoring — an area we want to keep an eye on but doesn't need treatment yet
• Optional improvement — cosmetic or elective options that could benefit you but aren't necessary

If treatment is recommended, you'll receive a written treatment plan with itemised costs before you leave. You're never expected to make decisions on the spot.

Step 6: Hygienist (if included or booked)

Many patients combine their check-up with a hygienist appointment. This is a separate appointment (usually 30 minutes) where the hygienist:

• Removes plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) that brushing can't reach
• Polishes your teeth
• Assesses your gum health in detail
• Reviews your brushing and flossing technique
• Creates a personalised home care plan

This is not a cosmetic clean — it's a clinical procedure that prevents gum disease, which is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

What it costs

A routine check-up at North Street Dental Practice costs £49. X-rays, when needed, are included at no additional charge for Preventive Plan members.

If you're on our Preventive Plan (£21.50/month), two check-ups and two hygiene visits per year are included, along with worldwide emergency cover and a 10% treatment discount.

The question we hear most often after a check-up

"That's it? I was worried for nothing."

Ninety percent of the time, a check-up is exactly this: a calm, thorough look at your mouth, a short conversation about what we found, and a plan for keeping things healthy. No drama. No surprises.

And for the ten percent of patients where we do find something — catching it now, at a check-up, is always better than catching it later, in pain.