Everyone knows that receiving regular check-ups from your dentist is an important step towards maintaining your oral health. But exactly how often you are meant to visit can be a question of debate.
In this piece, we will delve in deeper towards what you should expect following a routine check-up, why they are important, how often you should actually go, and signs which may mean you need an additional appointment.
Contents
- General Recommendations: The Six-Month Rule
- What Happens During a Routine Dental Check-up and Cleaning?
- 6 Factors That Influence Your Recommended Visit Frequency
- Why Regular Check-ups are Crucial for Prevention
- 4 Signs You Might Need to See the Dentist Sooner
- The Role of Prevention in Long-Term Oral Health
- Debunking Myths About Dental Visit Frequency
General Recommendations: The Six-Month Rule
In broad terms, a dentist would recommend that you visit their practice every 6 months. This allows them to check your oral health regularly, identifying and treating any concerns early on, before they become a bigger, potentially more uncomfortable, and more expensive issue.
What Happens During a Routine Dental Check-up and Cleaning?
A routine dental visit is usually made up of two parts. We will look at these in more detail below:
Dental check-up
Your dentist will provide a comprehensive oral exam, studying your teeth, gums and mouth to check they are healthy and to highly any potential issues. The use of X-rays or radiographs may be required to search for concerns that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
Professional cleaning
Specialised tools will be used to thoroughly clean your teeth. This includes removing any plaque and tartar buildup.
6 Factors That Influence Your Recommended Visit Frequency
Of course, one size does not fit all when it comes to our teeth, and how often you should attend a routine appointment is no exception. Here’s what could alter the frequency of your visits:
1. Oral health history
It’s likely that if you have had oral health concerns in the past, such as gum disease or severe tooth decay, you will be asked to visit the dentist more regularly. This is so your dentist can monitor you more closely in the hope of preventing new issues, or treating those more efficiently.
2. Health conditions
Your oral health can be affected if you have a chronic health condition such as a low immune system, heart disease or diabetes. More frequent dental care is therefore required for monitoring purposes.
3. Pregnancy
Were you aware that the hormonal changes in pregnancy can increase the risk of gum issues? Therefore, it is recommended that pregnant individuals receive additional check-ups during this time.
4. Age
Children’s teeth are developing all the time as they grow up, and in turn, so are their dental needs. These adjustments, hormonal changes in teenagers, an increased sugar diet and being responsible for cleaning their own teeth, can all contribute to dental cavities if not observed efficiently.
5. Smoking
Smoking and tobacco use increases the risk of many dental concerns, including tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancers.
6. Orthodontic needs
Individuals who require braces or aligners will need frequent, specialised appointments with their orthodontist.
If you feel that you may need more regular appointments, it would be beneficial to discuss this with your dentist to create a personalised treatment plan suited to your circumstances and requirements.
Why Regular Check-ups are Crucial for Prevention
Regular check-ups enable your dentist to action the following:
Spot tooth decay
Identifying the early signs of root decay during a routine check-up should prevent the need for a root canal or extraction.
Maintain healthy gums
The removal of plague via a professional clean will reduce the risk of periodontal disease.
Monitoring opportunities
Your dentist will look out for any other issues surrounding your oral health, such as oral cancers or other diseases. Early identification helps to provide early treatment and more positive outcomes.
Highlight any additional concerns
Issues such as enamel wear, teeth grinding and jaw misalignment will be picked up during your regular check-up.
4 Signs You Might Need to See the Dentist Sooner
If you feel you have a dental issue, you don’t have to wait until your next 6 monthly appointment. Call your dentist if you notice the following:
1. Tooth pain or sensitivity
Sore or sensitive teeth is not normal. So, if you notice any sensitivity when eating, especially hot or cold foods, or just have toothache in general, consider giving your dentist a call.
2. Bleeding or sore gums
If you experience pain or notice any blood whilst brushing or flossing, it would be wise to call your dentist. This could potentially signal early signs of gum disease.
3. Loose teeth
Adults should not experience wobbly teeth. Advanced gum disease or a reduction in bone structure may be the cause so visit your dentist as soon as possible.
4. Lumps in the mouth
Sores or lumps in the mouth could mean a number of things, ranging from infection to more serious conditions. If you notice a persisting lump or sore spot, book an appointment with your dentist to get it checked out.
The Role of Prevention in Long-Term Oral Health
Prevention is far greater than cure. Highlighting a possible larger issue and treating it straight away, or better still, preventing it from happening altogether, will save you a lot of discomfort, time and money.
Maintaining adequate oral health and visiting the dentist regularly will not only keep your teeth and gums healthy, but will support your overall health and wellbeing.
Debunking Myths About Dental Visit Frequency
Let’s clear some common myths about visiting the dentist:
Myth: Dental check-ups are too expensive.
Regular check-ups and preventative care are far less costly than forking out for major treatments later on.
Myth: If I brush and floss regularly, I don’t need to see the dentist.
Brushing twice daily and flossing once a day is an excellent way to stay on top of your oral health. However, harder plaque requires specialist tools to be removed effectively.
Myth: I’ll only visit the dentist if I have a problem.
In most cases, many oral health concerns are not apparent to us in the initial stage, as they often don’t become painful until they have become severe. Therefore, regular check-ups help to pick up and prevent these issues before you are even aware of them.
It’s clear that routine check-ups play a vital role in supporting your oral health. Having a professional assess your teeth and gums enables them to spot any issues early on, before they become more severe.
These appointments also include professional cleaning services that cannot be achieved by brushing or flossing alone.
