At the dentist Dr Rob Hicks Seeing a dentist regularly will keep your teeth healthy and, with nearly 4,700 cases of mouth cancer every year, may even save your life.

In this article

Why have a check-up?

Cost of dental treatment

Your dentist will give you a personal recommendation of how often you should have a check-up. Current guidelines recommend that for under-18s check-ups should be between three and 12 months, and for adults between three and 24 months.

This will:

• Ensure your teeth and gums are in good shape
• Allow the dentist to remove any plaque which contributes to cavities and gum disease
• Enable the dentist to spot serious health problems early when they can be treated successfully
• Enable you to learn how to brush and floss your teeth properly
• Build your confidence if you're nervous, as you'll get to know your dentist and know what to expect at each visit

Some people are entitled to free dental treatment. If you're not eligible, there are different levels of charges and if you have private dental treatment, you'll pay the full amount.

The British Dental Association provides an online Find a Dentist service.

Many people ask their neighbours or friends for a recommendation, which can be a good place to start. Once you've found a couple of dentists in your area, be sure to confirm that they're appropriately trained, registered with their governing body and insured.

Make your final decision once you've established what services they provide (for example, do they see children, is there a hygienist and do they provide the specific services you want?)

Many dental practices have a practice leaflet with details of the services they offer, including times for dental check-ups. This can help you determine if they're suitable for you.

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in February 2007.