Do you go to the dentist every year?

Regardless of how you feel about your overall oral health, it's important to see a dentist regularly. A reasonable goal is to visit the dentist at least once a year for an oral health checkup, although some evidence suggests that those who are at low risk of contracting the disease can extend up to 18 to 24 months. It is usually said that you should go to the dentist twice a year. When in doubt, this is a good general rule to follow.

But if you want to be sure how often you need a dental checkup, you should consider your unique mouth, hygiene, habits, and general well-being. We all know that going to the dentist is important. But how often should you go? The basic rule says that you should visit the dentist every six months. Studies have shown that people without any problems can go once a year, while people with dental problems should be checked every 3 to 4 months.

Here are some guidelines to help you know how often your teeth should be checked. Based on these and other data, Moles et al in 1999 performed a computer simulation to identify optimal recall intervals, 8 They concluded that patients would benefit most if dentists attended at intervals ranging from 13 to 120 months. A more definitive answer could not be obtained due to two factors: some dentists are better than others at recognizing the presence of early disease and, more importantly, rates of disease progression vary greatly between individuals. You really want to prevent plaque from turning to tartar, which is where dental appointments come in.

Even the most experienced toothbrush and floss cannot remove tartar on their own. Beyond that, visiting the dentist regularly can help keep more than your teeth healthy. Signs of several conditions, such as diabetes and anemia, sometimes appear in your mouth, Dr. If your dentist notices that something is wrong during a visit, you may be referred to a specialist for review.

If your child is at high risk for tooth decay or other oral health problems, your dentist will likely recommend more frequent dental checkups. If you tend to avoid going to the dentist because of fear of needles, look for a dentist who specializes in relieving patient anxiety. Popular wisdom states that most people should visit the dentist every six months for a professional dental cleaning and oral health checkup. If this doesn't happen during the first year, you should take your child to the dentist before his or her first birthday.

Take the time to find a dentist that you are comfortable with and who will work with you to address any problems you may have. Going to the dentist can be intimidating, and this fear is what keeps many people from visiting you regularly. The new primary care groups offer a mechanism by which the doctor and dentist can support this holistic vision in a way that will benefit both the professions and, of course, their patients. Your pediatric dentist can advise you on the cleaning and consultation program that is best for your child.

If you're more likely to develop cavities, consider talking to your dentist about sealants and fluoride or antibacterial treatments. Periodontitis prevention includes general oral hygiene and regular dental visits for professional cleanings. Visiting the dentist regularly is absolutely necessary for good oral health, and skipping appointments only means that you are at risk of developing very serious dental problems in the future. These first appointments focus more on helping your child feel comfortable with the dentist's office rather than taking care of his teeth.

These routine visits allow the dentist to find any dental and other oral health problems that you may not have noticed. In most cases, a regular checkup would have allowed your dentist to detect the problem and steps could have been taken to limit the damage. One of the biggest mistakes many patients make is waiting until they feel toothache to schedule an appointment with the dentist. .