How Often Should You Visit the Dentist?
You may wonder how often you should go to the dentist, especially if you are not feeling any discomfort in your teeth or gums. So the question is, when you are not experiencing any pain or problems with your oral health, how often should you visit the dentist?
Many dentists recommend that their patients visit every 6 months. This allows the hygienist the best chance of keeping your teeth healthy and clean. One of the biggest reasons is so that the hygienist has the opportunity to remove any buildup of plaque or tartar.
Why is it important to visit the dentist every 6 months?
It is important to brush and floss regularly at home to get rid of extra bacteria that might build up into plaque. But, only a professional can clean your teeth of plaque and tartar and remove all harmful bacteria that can cause more serious oral conditions like cavities and gingivitis.
What is plaque and tartar, and why is it important to be removed?
Plaque is a film of sticky bacteria that forms on your teeth. Tartar is plaque that has hardened to the tooth. If tartar is not removed, it can build up on your teeth and lead to problems such as gum disease and other oral issues. Tartar can only be removed by a dentist, which is why it is crucial to schedule your bi-yearly cleanings.
What should I do in between dental visits?
It is also very important to have good oral health habits at home, such as brushing and flossing, which can remove plaque. But remember, once that plaque has hardened, it has turned into tartar and needs to be removed by a professional. Visiting the dentist for routine cleanings is essential to prevent cavities and gum disease.
Now you may ask yourself, are regular visits to the dentist good for more than just deep cleanings? The answer is, yes! There are many other good reasons why it is important to visit the dentist every 6 months for a general cleaning.
To detect oral health problems
Your dentist is trained to see warning signs for more serious oral problems that you might not spot on your own.
To save money long-term
You are more likely to forgo the financial and physical pain of a more complicated treatment plan in the future if your dentist can treat dental problems early on.
To screen for head, oral, and neck cancers
During a routine dental cleaning, your dentist will look for mouth, neck, and head cancers, along with gum disease and tooth decay.
Now, there are some patients who might be recommended to visit the dentist more than every 6 months. That includes those who:
- Have gum disease or tooth decay
- Smoke, use tobacco products, or use alcohol regularly
- Have a weakened immune system
- Are pregnant
- Have chronic health conditions or diabetes
After your next cleaning, we are happy to schedule your next appointment 6 months after or sooner if recommended by the dentist. If you ever need to cancel or change an appointment, please give our office a call.