Problems caught early
When something is found at a routine visit, treatment is usually smaller, quicker and easier than if it had been left.
Prevention
Dental check-ups, the simplest way to stay ahead of problems
A check-up is the simplest way to keep your teeth healthy and avoid bigger problems later. We look closely at your teeth, gums and the soft tissues in your mouth, check for early signs of trouble, and give you a clear plan. Nothing rushed. Nothing hidden.
The Treatment
A thorough look at your whole mouth
A dental check-up is a thorough look at the whole of your mouth, not just your teeth. We check for decay, cracks and worn or failing fillings. We look at your gums for early signs of gum disease. We examine the soft tissues, your cheeks, tongue, lips, and the floor and roof of your mouth, including a mouth-cancer check, and we assess your jaw joint and bite. We take X-rays only when we actually need to see something a visual exam cannot show. Then we talk you through what we found and what, if anything, needs doing.
The point of a regular check-up is to catch small problems while they are still small. A speck of decay is usually straightforward to treat, and sometimes it can be slowed or monitored rather than filled at all. Early gum disease (gingivitis) can often be reversed. Once it advances, the damage to the bone and tissue around your teeth cannot be undone, though it can usually be stabilised and kept under control. Problems found at a routine visit are often simpler and gentler to treat than problems left for years.
You will find us at 80 Hutcheson St in Merchant City, a couple of minutes on foot from Argyle Street and Queen Street stations and the St Enoch subway, so a check-up before work, on a lunch break or on the way home is easy to fit in. We see the whole family too, and children's check-ups matter just as much as adult ones. New to us? Registering as a patient only takes a few minutes. And if it has been a long time since your last visit, we will not make you feel awkward about it. Just tell us.
Is This You?
Not sure when you last had a look?
It is easy to put off a check-up, especially when nothing hurts. The trouble is that early decay and gum problems rarely cause pain until they have already taken hold, so a mouth can feel fine while something is quietly getting worse.
A routine examination is a gentle way to find out where things really stand, and to catch anything brewing before it becomes a bigger job. If it has been years, or you feel nervous, that is completely normal and we go at your pace.
Why Patients Choose It
Why a routine check-up is worth it
Healthier gums
Healthy gums are a major part of holding on to your natural teeth, since gum disease is a common reason people lose them.
Mouth-cancer check as standard
Every routine exam includes checking the soft tissues for early signs, so it happens automatically.
A clear picture
You leave knowing what is fine, what needs watching and what needs doing, and why.
Advice tailored to you
You get guidance for your teeth, not generic tips, so home care actually works for you.
Less daunting
Small, regular visits are far easier to face than waiting until something hurts.
How It Works
What happens at your appointment
01
A quick catch-up
We ask about your general health, any medication you take, and anything that has been bothering you. Health changes can affect your mouth, so this matters more than it might seem.
02
The examination
We check each tooth for decay, cracks, wear and any fillings or restorations that are failing. We look at how your teeth meet and whether there are signs of grinding.
03
Gums and soft tissues
We assess your gum health and check the soft tissues of your mouth, throat and neck. This includes the mouth-cancer check.
04
X-rays, only if needed
If something cannot be seen by eye, such as decay between teeth or bone level under the gum, we take a digital X-ray to check.
05
The plan
We tell you plainly what we found. If everything is fine, we say so. If something needs doing, we explain what, why, and how soon, and we answer your questions.
06
Next steps
We agree when you should come back and book any follow-up, such as a hygienist appointment or a filling, if you need one.
After your check-up
Keeping your mouth healthy between visits
What you do at home between check-ups matters just as much as the visit itself. Here is how to make the most of it.
Day to day
- Follow the brushing and cleaning advice we give you. It will be specific to your mouth, not a generic script.
- Act on any diet or lifestyle points we raise. Cutting how often you have sugary food and drink can make a real difference.
- Keep an eye on your own mouth. If you notice a lump, an ulcer that has not healed in a few weeks, new pain, sensitivity or bleeding gums, get in touch. We are open day and night, every day, so you will not be waiting until Monday.
Following up
- Book any treatment or hygienist appointment we recommended while it is fresh.
- Tell us at each visit if your medication or general health has changed.
Longer term
- Come back when your check-up is due. The interval we set is there to keep you ahead of problems, not behind them.
Worth knowing
What a check-up can and cannot do
A check-up tells us the state of your mouth on the day. It does not stop new problems appearing, which is exactly why regular visits and good home care both matter.
We will not put you through X-rays for the sake of it, and we will not invent work you do not need. If we are unsure about something, we will say so and keep an eye on it rather than rush in.
And if we do find something, spotting it at a routine visit tends to mean less drilling, less cost and fewer appointments: a small filling now rather than a root canal treatment later.
Common Questions
Check-up questions, answered
How often should I have a check-up?
It depends on you. For some people, longer gaps between visits are appropriate. Others, including children and anyone with a higher risk of decay or gum problems, are best seen more often. We will look at your mouth, set an interval that suits you, and tell you why. There is no single rule that fits everyone.
How long does a check-up take?
For most people it is one short appointment. A first visit can take a little longer, because we go through your medical history and have a proper look at everything. If we think you will need more time, we will tell you when you book.
Does a check-up hurt?
No. A routine examination should not be painful. We are looking and gently checking, not treating. If anything feels tender we will stop and talk about it. For most people the whole thing is quick and easy.
Will I need X-rays?
Only if we need to see something a visual check cannot show, such as decay between teeth or bone level below the gum. They are not done automatically every time. When we do take one, we will explain why.
What is the difference between a check-up and a scale and polish?
A check-up is the examination, where we assess your teeth, gums and soft tissues. A scale and polish is a clean that removes the hardened plaque brushing cannot shift. They are usually separate appointments, but if you would like both in one visit, just ask when you book and we will do our best to arrange it.
Are dental check-ups free on the NHS in Scotland?
NHS dental examinations are free for everyone in Scotland. NHS dental treatment is free if you are under 26, pregnant or have given birth in the last 12 months, or qualify for a low-income exemption. If you are not sure what applies to you, call us before you book and we will talk you through your options.
How much does a check-up cost?
Every mouth is different, so the honest answer is that it depends on you: whether X-rays are needed on the day, whether you book a scale and polish alongside the examination, and whether any treatment is recommended afterwards. At your appointment the dentist will go through your options and the cost of each, and you will get a written, itemised quote before anything is agreed. Nothing goes ahead until you are happy.
What happens if you find a problem?
We tell you straight away, in plain terms. We explain what it is, what your options are, and how urgent it is. Nothing happens without you understanding it and agreeing to it first. Catching a problem early usually means a smaller, simpler fix.
A tooth has started hurting and my next check-up is weeks away. What should I do?
Do not wait for the routine appointment. Call us, any time, day or night, and we will tell you what to do next. We hold same-day emergency slots every day and aim to see you quickly. Until then, over-the-counter painkillers taken as directed on the pack can help, keep the area clean, and avoid food and drink that sets the pain off.
I'm nervous about the dentist. Can you help?
Yes, and you are far from alone. Tell us you are anxious and we will slow down, explain each step before we do it, and let you take breaks. A check-up is a gentle place to start rebuilding your confidence, because it is just looking, not treating.
It's been years since I last went. Is that a problem?
Not for us. Plenty of our patients come back after a long gap, often because they were nervous or life got in the way. We will not lecture you. We will simply have a careful look, tell you where things stand, and sort out a sensible plan from there.
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