Preventative dental care in Perth — protect what you have
The best dental treatment is the one you don\'t need. Regular check-ups, cleans and good home routines prevent the expensive problems — decay, gum disease, tooth loss. Twice-yearly visits keep your teeth in their best condition.
Twice-yearly preventative visit
Quoted after assessment
Standard check-up + clean includes exam, scaling, polishing, oral cancer screening. X-rays as required.
Pricing varies with the work needed. Health funds claimed on the spot — you only pay the gap.
Early detection saves teeth — and money
A professional dentist can detect and monitor changes that you can't. Early detection of gum disease, oral cancer, infected wisdom teeth and oral thrush often means simple, low-cost treatment instead of complex, expensive intervention later.
Gum disease
Early-stage gum disease usually isn't painful. A 6-monthly check catches it before it becomes serious.
Oral cancer
Begins in the mouth area. Regular screening catches it early, when it's most treatable.
Oral thrush
An infection affecting the mouth area, causing irritation and a weakened immune system. Easy to treat early.
Wisdom teeth
Erupt in the late teens or early 20s. If impacted, they become painful — we identify and remove them before infection sets in.
Your dental exam
- Health questions. Your medical history, family history, lifestyle (smoking, diet).
- Exam. Visual check for plaque, cavities, signs of periodontal disease.
- Scaling. Removal of bacteria buildup and tartar using dental tools — clean every area of your mouth.
- Polishing. Smooth teeth and remove surface stains.
- Head and neck examination. Check head, neck and jaw. Lymph nodes that are swollen may indicate other diseases.
- X-ray (if needed). Clear view of tooth structure and hidden issues like impacted wisdom teeth.
Who needs check-ups — and how often?
Adults
Every 6 months for prevention. Sooner if you have symptoms — bleeding, swelling, persistent pain.
Children
Start as soon as the first tooth appears. Every 6 months from then on.
Seniors
Every 6 months. More frequent if you have specific dental problems like gum disease.
Pregnant women
Yes — pregnant women are more prone to gum disease (from hormone changes) and tooth decay (from morning sickness). Regular checks are protective.
Braces wearers
Every 3-4 months for cleaning and adjustments.
People with dentures
Every 6 months — we evaluate the denture fit at the same time.
The maths of prevention
Dental implants, root canals, crowns and reconstructive work can cost thousands of dollars. Most of those treatments became necessary because something small wasn't caught early. Preventative care is the cheapest, simplest, lowest-stress dentistry you'll ever do.
Catch problems early
A 6-monthly check spots decay, gum disease, oral cancer signs, and worn enamel before they become painful or expensive.
Save money
A check-up + clean every 6 months is dramatically cheaper than the restorative work uncaught problems eventually require.
Save teeth
The teeth you have are still the best teeth you'll ever have. Implants and dentures are good substitutes — but they're always a substitute. Prevention keeps the originals.
Preventative care starts at home
Most of preventative dental care happens between dental visits. Your daily routine is what keeps the teeth and gums healthy. Twice-yearly check-ups catch what your home routine misses.
Brush twice daily
Morning and night, with fluoride toothpaste. Two minutes each time. Soft-bristled brush.
Floss daily
Plaque builds between teeth where your brush can't reach. Flossing removes it before it becomes tartar.
Use mouthwash
Fluoride mouthwash adds enamel protection and kills bacteria your brush missed.
Watch your diet
Sugar feeds the bacteria that cause cavities. Acidic drinks erode enamel. Drink water, eat balanced meals, limit constant sipping.
Drink tap water
Perth's tap water contains fluoride that strengthens teeth — a free preventative measure bottled water doesn't provide.
Don't skip the 6-monthly check
Even with a perfect home routine, professional cleaning removes tartar your brush can't. Your dentist also spots problems you can't.
Your preventative dental check-up
A standard preventative check-up is short, well-tolerated and covers everything needed to keep ahead of problems. See our check up + clean page for the full step-by-step.
Visual exam
Check for plaque, tartar, cavities, gum recession, lesions and signs of decay.
Scaling
Removal of bacteria buildup and tartar using dental tools — gentle, well-tolerated.
Polishing
Smooth teeth, remove surface stains, leave a clean finish.
Oral cancer screening
Quick visual check of the mouth, throat, neck and head for any abnormalities.
X-rays (as needed)
Catches decay below the gum line, impacted wisdom teeth, root issues invisible to a visual exam.
Discussion + plan
If anything's found, we discuss it. No work is done without consent.
Other preventative services
Custom mouthguards
For sports — properly fitted protects against tooth loss far better than off-the-shelf. Sport injuries are a leading cause of dental trauma.
Night splints
For teeth grinding (bruxism) — protects enamel and prevents chips and fractures from chronic grinding.
Dental sealants
Thin coating applied to chewing surfaces of back teeth (often for children) — fills crevices where food and bacteria lodge.
Fluoride treatment
Topical fluoride applied at the clinic strengthens enamel beyond what toothpaste alone provides.
Orthodontic assessment
Misaligned teeth are harder to clean. Invisalign and other options correct alignment, making future preventative care easier.
Smoking + alcohol guidance
These habits accelerate gum disease, decay and oral cancer risk. We can guide you on the dental impact and refer you for cessation support if helpful.
Early-detection signs
Oral cancer is more treatable when caught early. Most early cases are spotted at routine 6-monthly check-ups. Between visits, watch for:
- A sore, lump or ulcer in the mouth that doesn't heal in 2-3 weeks
- A red or white patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil or lining of the mouth
- A persistent sore throat or feeling that something's stuck in the throat
- Numbness or pain in any area of the mouth or lips
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue
- Hoarseness or a chronic change in your voice
If any of these appear and don't resolve, see us at your earliest convenience — don't wait for the next 6-monthly check.
Two Perth locations, one phone number
Perth CBD clinic
Level 1, 300 Murray Street, Perth WA 6000
Mon–Thu 8:30am–5pm · Fri 8:30am–4:30pm · Closed weekends
DirectionsBelmont clinic
171 Belmont Avenue, Belmont WA 6104
Mon–Thu 8am–6pm · Fri 8am–4pm · Sat 8am–2pm · Free parking
DirectionsPreventative dental questions, answered
How often should I visit the dentist?
Twice a year — every 6 months — for routine preventative care. More often if you have specific issues (gum disease, orthodontic appliances, history of frequent decay) or are pregnant.
Is preventative dental care expensive?
Compared to the restorative work it prevents — no. A 6-monthly check + clean costs a fraction of a single crown, root canal or implant. Many private health funds cover preventative dental in full under extras cover.
Does Medicare cover preventative dental?
Generally no. Some children may be eligible under the Child Dental Benefit Schedule (CDBS) — we can check at your appointment. Private health-fund extras cover usually includes preventative dental.
What if I haven't been to the dentist in years?
That's the most important reason to book. The first visit is a check-up + clean — we look at where things are now and discuss what's worth addressing. No judgement, no pressure to do anything you don't want to.
Are dental x-rays safe?
Yes — modern digital dental x-rays use very low doses of radiation, less than a single transatlantic flight. We only take x-rays when clinically necessary.
Can I bring my children for preventative care?
Yes — start as soon as the first tooth appears. Some children may be eligible for the Child Dental Benefit Schedule (CDBS) under Medicare.
Does preventative care really prevent oral cancer?
Preventative care doesn't prevent cancer, but regular check-ups significantly improve the chances of catching it early — when it's most treatable. A quick visual screening is part of every standard 6-monthly visit.
Book a preventative check in Perth
Call us — twice a year is the simplest and most effective dentistry you can do.
$349 first emergency visit · same-day, subject to availability · Both Perth clinics
We claim on the spot with the major Australian health funds
Tap your card at reception — you only pay the gap. More about payment & finance