Comprehensive Dental Cleans and Exams in Dunedin

If it's been a while since your last dental check-up, know you're not alone. Life happens, and sometimes dental care takes a backseat. At Bell Hill Dental in Dunedin, our dentists are not here to judge. We aim to make you feel comfortable and welcome. Our primary concern is to address any dental issues you might be facing and to get your oral health back on track.

Comprehensive Examination

Your first visit back will typically involve a thorough dental examination. This includes checking your teeth and gums for signs of decay, disease or other issues. We may also take x-rays for a detailed view of your teeth and jaws. 

Open Discussion and Treatment Plan

Our dentists will sit down with you to discuss your dental concerns. Whether it's sensitivity, pain, or cosmetic issues, we are here to listen and provide solutions. After the examination, we will create a personalised treatment plan outlining recommended procedures or preventative measures.

Looking for Personalised Dental Care in Dunedin, NZ?

It's natural to feel anxious about returning to the dentist after a long hiatus, but our team at Bell Hill Dental is committed to providing compassionate, judgment-free dental care in Dunedin. From the moment you walk in, you'll be treated with kindness and respect, helping you feel at ease as we work together to improve your oral health.

We invite you to call us today to book an appointment. 

Oral health therapists and dental hygienists both look after your teeth and can provide professional teeth cleans. However, an oral therapist can also assist in the diagnosis and treatment of specific oral health issues like tooth decay, especially in children. In other words, an oral health therapist does everything a hygienist does but with additional restorative and general dentistry duties.

Typical regular dental cleans in Dunedin mean fewer oral health complications, such as cavities, infections and gum disease. Teeth cleans should always be paired with excellent oral hygiene between visits.

Oral health therapy includes:

• Professional teeth cleans
• Basic diagnoses
• Restorative dentistry
• Oral health tips and maintenance
• Gum disease treatment

Preventative Dental Care for a Healthy Smile

You should see your dentist and oral health therapist or hygienist once or twice yearly for a comprehensive dental exam, professional teeth clean and all necessary treatment planning.

Your exam consists of a visual inspection of the teeth and gums, x-rays as needed, a conversation with the dentist and treatment planning if applicable. Oral health therapy involves cleaning the teeth, polishing and handling any restorative work.

Teeth cleans are vital to your ongoing dental health.

Is It Time for Your Next Check and Clean?

We’re dedicated to your oral health in Dunedin. To book your next visit or if you have questions for our team, we welcome your call today on 03-477 8387.

At Bell Hill Dental, one of our points of pride is the unique first exam experience we provide for our patients. We take the time on your first visit to get to know you and your dental history, discuss your goals for your oral health and talk through any fears or worries you may have about treatment.

Your First Visit Experience in Dunedin

We will start with the most thorough check of your mouth that you probably have ever had and then tailor a treatment plan for you that fits your goals. We thoroughly discuss costs, the timing of treatment and give you options wherever we can. This process takes about an hour, and if you have more complex needs, we can schedule a second appointment to talk through options at no extra charge.

We Can Serve the Whole Family

From the very young and their brand-new teeth to our senior population, we are proud to offer dental services to all ages. We can offer one location for everyone so that you can seek dental care as a family. We strive to cultivate long-term relationships with our patients for years to come.

Our new patient exam costs $120, and if you require radiographs (x-rays), we take as many as you need, which we cap this cost at $60. We welcome you to arrange an appointment today!

Everybody is different; how often you need to see a hygienist depends on how healthy your gums are.

Normally, if you have a history of gum disease, we try and see you every six months to help prevent it from occurring again. Occasionally, we need to see you more often, if you have deep gum pockets, or if you are having difficulty with your home care. This ensures the gum pockets remain as plaque-free as possible helping maintain gum health.

By the time we see bleeding around a pocket it is telling us that the gum condition is active and may be getting worse again. It is important to remember that you cannot clean down into the pocket yourself at home, so professional hygienist intervention combined with good homecare is important to achieve optimal gum health.

What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?

Dental Hygienists are trained healthcare professionals. They are licensed to practice with the Dental Council of NZ. A dental hygienists major role is the prevention and non-surgical treatment of periodontal (gum) diseases.

A dental hygienist will help guide and promote healthy oral behaviours to help stabilise and maintain good gum health. Dental Hygienists are skilled in gum scaling and rootplaning (specialized cleaning of the root surface of your tooth). 

As part of providing exceptional dental hygiene care, our hygienists may:

• Complete oral health assessments that include a review of your health history, screen for oral cancers, record gum health and signs of gum loss (recession).
• Take and interpret xrays
• Remove plaque and calculus (tartar) from above and below the gumline
• Apply agents to the teeth to protect against cavities (such as fluoride and dental sealants)
• Provide topical and/or local anesthetics if any treatment is uncomfortable
• Show you oral hygiene techniques to improve your home-care to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums 

Why Do I Need to See a Hygienist?

The dentist will refer you to a hygienist if there is gum inflammation caused by plaque and tartar buildup. To stop gum disease from progressing, the dentist may recommend periodontal therapy or deep cleaning performed by the dental hygienist to treat and get rid of bacteria in the gum pocket. Our dental hygienists have specialized equipment to clean deeply into these unhealthy gum pockets which cannot be reached by a toothbrush.