How often should I go to the dentist?

How frequent someone goes to the dentist depends on his or her oral hygiene habits as well as the conditions of the person’s dentition. A check-up allows the dentist to check if you have any dental problems and helps you keep your mouth healthy. Leaving problems untreated could make them harder to cure in the future, so it is far better to deal with problems early, or, if possible, prevent them altogether.

At each check-up, your dentist should:
1. Examine the structures of your oral cavity – teeth, gums and mouth.
2. Ask about your general health and any problems you’ve had with your teeth, mouth or gums since your last visit.
3. Ask about, and advise on your diet, smoking and alcohol use, and teeth-cleaning habits.
4. Set a date for your next visit.

On average, visiting a dentist twice a year works well for most people. Some can get away with fewer visits. Others may need more frequent visits. People with an insignificant risk of cavities or gum disease can do fine seeing their dentist just once a year. For individuals with a high risk of dental disease, they might need to visit every three or four months, or more. This high-risk group includes pregnant women, smokers, diabetics patients and people with prevalent gum disease. Individuals with a weak immune response to bacterial infection and those who tend to get cavities or build up plaque should also increase their frequency of dental visits for their good.

The schedule for any person may change during a lifetime. In times of stress or diseases, you may require to see the dentist much more often than usual. The dentist would then help you to fight off a temporary infection or treat changes in your mouth. For those who take excellent care of your teeth and gums every day in your home, your dentist usually won’t find any cavities or gum disease. Then he or she may choose to lengthen the time between visits. Inquire of your dentist the best schedule for your routine dental visits.

Regular dental visits are very crucial as they can assist in spotting dental health problems early on. Initial discovery is when treatment is likely to be simpler and much more affordable. Regular dental visits also help prevent many problems from developing in the first place. Visiting your dentist regularly is nonetheless as important because some diseases or medical conditions have symptoms that can appear in the mouth.

How about those who perceive they are free from all oral cavity problems? Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you can still have dental health issues that only a dentist can diagnose. Regular dental visits also assist in preventing problems from happening. Continuity of care is an essential part of any health treatment plan, and dental health is no exception. Keeping your mouth clean is an important piece of your overall health. It’s also important to keep your dentist informed of changes happening in your overall health as many medical conditions can affect your dental health as well.

Hope this article provides the baseline of when should you visit your dentist. Going more often is better off than going lesser than you should. Always remember, prevention is better than cure. Your investment in dental care is worth it.