How Often Should You Visit the Dentist?

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. The ultimate goal is to see you often enough to avoid any mouth problems. Problems such as tooth decay (tooth decay) and periodontitis (gum disease) can cause pain and tooth loss, and are highly preventable. Visiting a dentist regularly can help prevent them completely or, at least, stop them in their path.

Getting on that chair at least once a year is key. Based on these and other data, Moles et al in 1999 performed a computer simulation to identify optimal recall intervals. 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.

Going to the dentist can be intimidating, and this fear is what keeps many people from visiting you regularly. With regular visits, your dentist will find solutions to any red flags that will save you time, discomfort and even money in the long run. An expert group that reviewed the evidence in Finland in 2001 recommended that low-risk children under 18 years of age should be allowed to visit it for between 18 months and two years. One Hundred Million Americans Don't Visit Their Dentist Every Year, Even Though Visiting the Dentist Regularly Is Essential to Maintaining Their Oral Health.

These routine visits allow the dentist to find any dental and other oral health problems that you may not have noticed. Dental treatments are specialized visits to treat problems with fillings, deep cleaning of teeth, root canals, tooth extraction and more. While it's true that visiting the dentist twice a year is a good rule of thumb for many people, the truth is that you have your own unique smile needs. There are many factors that contribute to good oral health, but regular dental visits are an essential part of maintaining healthy teeth and preventing problems.

If your dentist notices that something is wrong during a visit, they can refer you to a specialist for examination. A survey conducted in the UK found that children who only visited the dentist when they noticed a problem had more decayed teeth and fillings than children with regularly scheduled visits. That said, you've likely received a text message, email, or phone call at some point in your life reminding you to attend your 6-month visit with your dentist. It's important to understand how often you should visit the dentist in order to maintain optimal oral health.

The typical recommendation to visit the dentist twice a year originated from a toothpaste advertisement, and there is little or no research to support it. One study found that going to the dentist more than once a year meant no difference in tumor size at the time of oral cancer diagnosis, while another found that if people waited more than a year between visits, tumors could be more advanced when detected. The best way to determine how often you should visit the dentist is by consulting with your dental professional about your individual needs and risk factors for oral health issues. Your dentist will be able to provide personalized advice on how often you should come in for checkups and cleanings based on your unique situation.