As well as look in your mouth, the dentist will ask you some questions. 

These may include the following:

• Why you have come for an examination
• Any problems you’ve noticed (such as pain or sensitivity)
• Your general health and any medicines you might be taking (because these can affect your dental care)
• Your diet (because sugary snacks and drinks can cause tooth decay, and because a balance diet is important to your general health and resistance to disease)
• Tobacco and alcohol use (because both can harm your mouth as well as your general health)

Some of the questions will depend on what the dentist sees in your mouth.

You should expect your dentist to:

• Look at your face and neck to see that they are healthy
• Feel under your jaw
• Look inside your mouth, at your tongue, your cheeks and lips, the roof of your mouth and back of your throat (places where there might be a problem that you can’t see or feel)
• Look at your teeth and gums to see whether they are healthy or whether there are signs of decay, damage of gum disease (for children, your dentist will also look at tooth and jaw development in case orthodontic treatment might be needed now or later)
• Compare your mouth now with how it was when they last saw you
• Decide whether they need more information from X-rays, or from plaster models showing how your teeth bite together
• Tell you about any treatment you need, explaining the choices and whether there will be any cost

The examination may take longer if you are seeing a new dentist for the first time.