How we work
Dental Check-ups
A thorough check-up looks at the whole picture - your teeth and gums, and how diet, stress, sleep and daily habits affect your mouth and wider health.
Honest suitability
When should I book a dental check-up?
Check-up intervals should reflect individual oral health risk, not a fixed convention. These indicators help you understand when to attend and how frequently, based on your actual clinical needs.
Suitable if
- All adults — check-ups matter even without symptoms
- Patients re-establishing care after a gap
- Anyone with sensitivity, a changed bite or something that feels different
- Patients with decay history, gum disease or multiple restorations needing closer monitoring
May not be suitable if
- Acute dental emergency — call for same-day assessment instead
- Patients in immediate severe pain who need an urgent slot, not a routine booking
- Those seeking only a cosmetic consult with no oral health assessment (we still recommend a check-up first)
Patient benefits
Check-ups that look at the whole picture
A check-up at Bridge Dental is about optimal oral health, not just counting cavities. We connect what we see in your mouth with the lifestyle factors that shape it.
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Problems found before they become painful
Small cavities, early gum inflammation and soft tissue changes are all far simpler and less costly to manage when found first.
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Lifestyle and whole-picture advice
We discuss diet and sugar, stress and grinding, sleep, smoking and home care, with practical guidance you can actually use - not a lecture.
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Oral cancer screening included
Soft tissues, tongue and surrounding structures are checked at every appropriate visit. Early detection matters enormously.
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Recall interval that fits you
We advise your next check-up based on oral health and lifestyle risk, not a fixed calendar rule.
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Arrival
Welcome & medical update. We confirm contact details, medical history and anything you want the dentist to know before the exam begins.
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In surgery
Comprehensive examination. Teeth, gums, bite and soft tissues are checked. X-rays are taken if clinically needed. We explain findings in plain language.
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Discussion
Advice & treatment planning. If treatment is recommended, you receive a written plan with itemised fees. We also talk through diet, stress and daily habits that affect your mouth.
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Hygiene (if booked)
Scale & polish. Many patients combine a check-up with hygienist care to remove tartar and surface stain in the same visit.
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Before you leave
Recall interval agreed. We recommend when to return based on your risk, not a one-size-fits-all six-month rule.
Clinical assessment
What we examine at every check-up
A check-up at Bridge Dental is a clinical assessment with a whole-picture view. These are the elements we review at every appropriate visit.
- 01
Teeth and existing restorations
We look for decay, wear, cracks and the condition of fillings, crowns and other previous work.
- 02
Gums and periodontal health
Bleeding, pocket depth and bone levels are checked to catch gum disease early.
- 03
Soft tissues and oral cancer screening
The tongue, cheeks, palate and floor of the mouth are examined at every appropriate visit.
- 04
Lifestyle factors that shape oral health
Diet, stress, sleep, grinding and daily habits are discussed so advice supports your mouth and wider wellbeing.
Ask our principal dentist
Questions about check-ups or oral health?
Hi there 👋, send a short message about your treatment question and we'll reply on WhatsApp as soon as we can.
Guide fees
Treatment fees
| Treatment | Fee |
|---|---|
| New patient examination (incl. small x-rays) | £99.50 |
| Recall examination (incl. small x-rays) | £99.50 |
| Panoramic X-ray (existing patient) | £90 (£60) |
| Hygiene visits and any treatment recommended are listed separately on your written plan. | |
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Do check-ups include advice on diet and lifestyle?
Yes. Oral health does not exist in isolation. At every appropriate check-up we discuss factors that affect your mouth and wider wellbeing - diet and sugar, stress and teeth grinding, sleep, smoking and home care. The aim is practical guidance you can use, not a lecture.
How often should I have a check-up?
Many patients attend every six to twelve months. We advise a personalised interval based on your oral health.
What if I have not been for years?
You are welcome without judgement. We focus on where you are now and how to improve things step by step.
Are x-rays necessary?
We take x-rays only when they help us diagnose or monitor problems, not at every visit by default.
What happens if you find a problem?
We explain options clearly and provide a written plan with fees before any treatment is booked.
Do children need check-ups?
Yes. Regular visits help prevent decay and build positive habits from an early age.
Can I combine a check-up with hygiene?
Yes, many patients book examination and hygienist care on the same day for convenience.
How do I book a dental check-up at Bridge Dental?
Use our online booking link or call reception. We will confirm appointment length, what to bring, and whether any preparatory steps are needed.
Are guide fees fixed before treatment?
We provide written estimates from our published fee guide. If your clinical needs change after assessment, we discuss any difference before proceeding.
What is a panoramic x-ray, and when do I need one?
A panoramic x-ray, sometimes called an OPG, is a single wide image that shows all your teeth, jaw joints and surrounding bone in one view. We do not take one at every check-up. We recommend it when we need a broader picture, for example to assess wisdom teeth, plan implants or orthodontics, or review areas small x-rays cannot show. We only take x-rays when clinically justified, and we explain why before we proceed.
Why is the panoramic x-ray fee shown as £90 (£60)?
The standard fee is £90. The lower figure applies for patients on an eligible practice plan. We confirm the fee that applies to you when we book or at your appointment. As with all treatment, anything beyond a routine recall is listed separately on your written plan.