Oral Health›Dental visits and treatments

Dental Check-ups: What Happens and How Often

What a dentist checks at a routine visit, what a scale and clean involves, how often you need to go in the UK, Australia and the US, and when X-rays are needed.

Updated September 2026·By the OHA editorial team·7 min read·How we write
Key takeaways
  • A check-up is an examination of your teeth, gums and mouth, with advice on keeping them healthy. It is worth going even when nothing hurts.
  • There is no single right interval. In the UK, NICE guidance says it should be tailored to you, from every 3 months up to every 2 years for adults.
  • In Australia, healthdirect suggests every 6 to 12 months. In the US, the American Dental Association says some people need to go once or twice a year and others more often.
  • A scale and polish removes plaque and tartar (hardened plaque), which brushing at home cannot remove.
  • You do not need X-rays at every visit. Your dentist decides based on your oral health and risk.

The American Dental Association (ADA) says regular visits help spot problems early, when treatment is likely to be simpler and more affordable, and help prevent many problems in the first place. The NHS says leaving problems untreated could make them more difficult to treat in the future. This guide explains what to expect, and how often health bodies in the UK, Australia and the US say you should go.

What happens at a dental check-up?

The NHS says that at each check-up your dentist should:

  • examine your teeth, gums and mouth
  • ask about your general health and any problems you have had with your teeth, mouth or gums since your last visit
  • ask about, and give you advice on, your diet, smoking and alcohol use, and teeth-cleaning habits
  • discuss a date for your next visit

healthdirect Australia describes a similar visit, which may also include X-rays, fluoride and polishing. It says the practitioner can also screen for oral cancer and spot habits such as grinding or smoking. The ADA describes the oral cancer check: the dentist looks at your tongue and the whole of your mouth, then feels your jaw and neck.

The ADA also advises keeping your dentist informed of any changes in your general health, because many medical conditions can affect your teeth and mouth.

What is a scale and polish?

Plaque is the sticky film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth. The ADA says plaque that is not removed by brushing and cleaning between your teeth can harden into calculus, also called tartar. healthdirect says calculus cannot be removed by brushing at home.

A scale and polish is where your teeth are cleaned by the hygienist, carefully removing the plaque and tartar that build up on them, as the NHS describes it. healthdirect adds that your teeth will be polished and a fluoride treatment applied, and suggests telling the practitioner before the cleaning starts if your teeth are very sensitive.

In England, the NHS says scaling is available on the NHS if your dental professional says it is clinically needed. If the dentist says it is not clinically necessary, you will have to pay for it privately.

How often should you have a check-up?

Every body we checked agrees that the right interval depends on the health of your teeth and gums, and that your dentist should advise you. The ranges they give differ.

UK: NHS and NICE

The NHS says you may assume you should go every 6 months, but some people may not need to go so often and others may need more frequent checks. The time between check-ups can vary from 3 months to 2 years (up to 1 year if you are under 18). People with good oral health will probably only need to go every 12 to 24 months, while those with more problems need check-ups more often.

This follows guidance from NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), which says the interval should be set for each patient based on their disease levels and risk, and discussed with them. It sets the shortest routine interval at 3 months, and the longest at 12 months for under-18s and 24 months for adults. The longest intervals are for adults who have repeatedly shown they can keep their mouth healthy and are not at risk.

Australia

healthdirect advises aiming for a check-up every 6 to 12 months, and says your dental practitioner can tell you how often you need one based on the health of your teeth and gums. It recommends check-ups starting from 12 months of age, or when a baby's first teeth appear.

US

The ADA says there is no one-size-fits-all answer: some people need to go once or twice a year, and others more often.

In short, the UK allows longer gaps (up to 2 years) for adults with healthy mouths than the Australian guidance (6 to 12 months). All three agree the interval should be tailored to you.

Do you need X-rays at every visit?

No. The ADA says you may not need an X-ray at every visit, and that how often they are taken depends on your oral health, your age, your risk of disease and any signs of problems. Children and teenagers may need them more often because their teeth and jaws are still developing. An ADA expert panel has recommended taking X-rays only when the dentist believes they will provide necessary diagnostic information. See our guide to dental X-rays.

X-rays can show problems not visible during an examination, such as new cavities (ADA), infections, teeth that have not come through the gums properly, and damage to the jawbone (healthdirect). The ADA says dental X-rays use very low doses of radiation, so the risk of harm is very small.

Dentist, hygienist or therapist: who does what?

In Australia, healthdirect says a check-up may be done by a dentist, a dental hygienist, an oral health therapist or a dental therapist.

The NHS describes the scale and polish as being done by the hygienist, and says scaling can be done by a hygienist or a dental therapist. If you have early gum disease, the NHS says your dentist may advise you to have your teeth cleaned by a hygienist. The ADA says that at a check-up, the hygienist may use special instruments to check your gums for gum disease, while the dentist evaluates your overall dental health.

What does a check-up cost?

Costs vary, so check before your appointment. Some general pointers:

  • UK (England): the NHS groups dental treatment into 3 charge bands. A routine examination, X-rays if clinically needed, and scaling if clinically needed are included in Band 1, the lowest band. The dental professional should tell you the cost before starting treatment. NHS dental treatment is free for some people, including children under 18 (or under 19 in full-time education), people who are pregnant or have had a baby in the past 12 months, and people on some benefits.
  • Australia: healthdirect says costs vary, most check-ups are done in private clinics and are not covered by Medicare, and private health insurance can help with some costs. Public clinics are an option, but may have long waiting lists. The Child Dental Benefits Schedule helps eligible children up to 17 years get basic dental services at low or no cost.
  • US: the ADA suggests checking that information about fees and payment plans is provided before treatment is scheduled.

Feeling nervous?

If you feel nervous, healthdirect suggests telling your dental practitioner or their staff. They can take extra care to minimise pain or discomfort, and may recommend medicines to help you cope.

When to see a dentist
  • Do not wait for your next check-up if you have toothache, or a tooth is sensitive to hot or cold.
  • Your gums are puffy or bleed when you brush or clean between your teeth.
  • You have a spot or sore in your mouth that does not look or feel right and is not going away.
  • You have damaged a tooth, or your face has become swollen.
  • You have not had a check-up for 2 years (or 1 year if you are under 18), which is the point at which the NHS says to see a dentist.
Get help urgently

The NHS says to call 999 or go to A&E if you have toothache or a dental abscess and:

  • you are finding it hard to breathe, speak or swallow
  • the area around your eye or your neck is swollen, or you have a swollen or painful eye or problems with your eyesight
  • you have a lot of swelling in your mouth, or are finding it hard to open your mouth

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need a check-up every 6 months?

Not necessarily. In the UK, the NHS says it can range from 3 months to 2 years depending on your oral health; healthdirect in Australia suggests every 6 to 12 months. Your dentist should recommend the right interval for you.

Do I need a check-up if my teeth feel fine?

Yes. The ADA says you can still have problems that only a dentist can diagnose, even without symptoms. healthdirect says regular check-ups are important even when you feel well and have no tooth pain.

Are dental X-rays safe?

The ADA says the dose is very low and the risk of harm very small, and recommends X-rays in moderation, only when they will provide necessary information.

Can a hygienist do my check-up?

In Australia, healthdirect says check-ups can be done by a dentist, hygienist, oral health therapist or dental therapist. Ask your practice who you will see.

Sources

  1. Dental check-ups, NHS, accessed September 2026
  2. Dental checks: intervals between oral health reviews (CG19), recommendations, NICE, accessed September 2026
  3. Dental treatments, NHS, accessed September 2026
  4. How much NHS dental treatment costs, NHS, accessed September 2026
  5. Gum disease, NHS, accessed September 2026
  6. Tooth decay, NHS, accessed September 2026
  7. Dental abscess, NHS, accessed September 2026
  8. Toothache, NHS, accessed September 2026
  9. Dental check-up, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  10. Dental care and teeth cleaning, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  11. Common questions about going to the dentist, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026
  12. X-rays, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026
  13. Plaque, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026

This article is general information about oral health. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a dentist or doctor who knows your situation. If you have pain, swelling, bleeding that does not settle, or a problem that is getting worse, see a dental professional. In an emergency, contact your local emergency service.

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