Do You Know: How Often Should You Go To The Dentist?

Abhijeet Modi
Oct 19, 2023 By Abhijeet Modi
Originally Published on Nov 01, 2021
Healthy white tooth model and dentist mirror instrument in dentist hands
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 7.1 Min

If you floss and brush twice a day, you should still visit the dentist regularly!

Your dentist and hygienist are there to look for problems that you may not see or feel. Cavities and gum disease, for example, aren't noticeable or painful until they've progressed.

A dental professional and hygienist are frequently the first to detect any signs of mouth cancer in many patients. It is suggested that you schedule a dental visit at least once a year. Regular dental cleanings may help you avoid gum disease and tooth decay, as well as minimize tooth loss.

Regular dental visits may be used to remove tartar and plaque buildup from your teeth.

Patients who fail to take excellent care of their mouths by not visiting a dentist on a regular basis risk developing diseases and illnesses in other regions of their bodies in addition to tooth decay and gum infection. Heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and breast cancer are just a few of the major health conditions linked to oral health.

If you cannot visit the dentist for whatever reason, it is advised that you make a phone call to schedule frequent checkups with a dentist.

If you like this article, you may also find it interesting to read these fun fact articles: How often should I floss, and why do we have baby teeth.

What do dentists recommend?

You should always visit the dentist every six months as a basic guideline. According to research, those who have no dental problems should see their dentist once per year, whereas people who have problems with gums and teeth should make regular visits to the dentist every three to four months.

Poor dental hygiene may make even something as basic as showing your smile uncomfortable. Children and adults should use fluoride toothpaste, according to a dental professional, since fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and prevents tooth decay.

A dentist recommends trying toothpaste tablets instead of a tube of toothpaste, especially if you're sharing one tube with the whole family. They're simple to use, have a pleasant taste, and function similarly to normal toothpaste.

One of the greatest features of tablets is their ability to avoid cross-contamination, which is especially crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic.

An electric toothbrush is a great method to brush your teeth as it gets to those hard-to-reach spots. According to a dental hygienist, the more costly ones aren't inherently higher quality, but you'll want to pick one that fits properly in your mouth so you can brush away bacteria more easily.

Every three months, your toothbrush heads should be replaced, just like ordinary toothbrushes. However, if the bristles are frayed before the three-month mark, replace them.

Flossing is a significant part of your dental health regimen since it removes plaque and helps to avoid gum disease (periodontitis). Not only does plaque create foul breath, all of the germs trapped within can contribute to gingivitis.

This can be avoided with good oral health. Research has shown a relationship between gingivitis and heart disease, which is why flossing is so crucial.

Mouthwash is an easy method to battle bacteria, bad breath, plaque, and gingivitis by including it into your daily routine. Using a mouth rinse is also a good method to keep your risk down.

How to prepare for dentists?

Preparation makes dental treatments easier and enhances the outcome in all situations. Every form of dental treatment necessitates some level of patient preparation. Here are a few methods you can do to ensure that your dental operation goes well.

If you've switched dentists or visited a dentist for the first time, double-check that they have all of your information. This includes details on any previous dental (and overall oral health) surgeries and treatments, drugs you're taking, and allergies.

This will assist your dentist in preparing for your appointment as well as any unforeseen treatment that may be required.

Being late and trying to rush through everything might add to the stress, it's much worse if you miss your dental appointment after arranging a time for it. Make sure you arrive a bit early taking travel time and traffic into consideration, so you can complete any relevant forms.

Clean your mouth completely, but don't brush your teeth too hard the night before. This might cause pain and wear away the natural enamel on your teeth.

This will also allow your dentist to assess how effectively you clean your teeth and mouth, allowing them to provide recommendations on how to improve your regular oral hygiene. Most individuals are too afraid to eat before going to the dentist.

In fact, you should have a small meal before going to the dentist. If you get hungry before you visit the dentist, you may feel dizzy and light-headed, and if your dentist performs any minor operations, you may be unable to eat for a few hours after.

If you need to see a dentist because you have noticed issues in your dental care or health, write these worries or questions down before seeing the dentist. If you experience any symptoms, keep track of when they occurred, what could have triggered them, and how severe those health problems were.

You won't forget to discuss these items with the dentist during your consultation if you have them written down.

Female patient with terrible toothache visiting dentist

How often should you visit the dentist?

Many people think that visiting the dentist two times a year is one of the best habits to have. As a result, your oral hygiene, lifestyle, and medical situation all play a role.

Everyone should see the dentist every six months for dental cleanings and examining oral health problems, according to conventional dental advice in the United States. Many dental insurance companies cover two check ups each year, and this frequency helps dentists to identify any issues early on when they're still minor and can be given treatment.

Some people only need to go to the dentist once or twice a year, but others may require more frequent dental visits. As a result, always ask your dentist when your next appointment should be.

People that are at a higher risk of dental disease and other oral health problems must visit the dentist every three months or more frequently.

The optimum length of time between dental checkups is usually six months.

Your dentist, on the other hand, may advise that certain people attend more frequently, such as those who are at a higher risk of developing dental issues, such as women who are expecting children and smokers should get a cleaning and checkup twice a year, or every six months.

However, visiting dentists for dental advice frequently is essential based on your unique oral health needs.

How many people go to the dentist twice a year?

In 2014, 52% of adults said they went to the dentist every six months, 15% once a year, and 11% every two to three years. You should have your teeth checked for cavities and have dental cleanings regularly.

Keeping up with frequent cleanings can go a long way towards keeping your teeth in good health. Gum disease (periodontitis) is more frequent than most people realize, therefore it's also vital to have your gums checked regularly.

Unless you have a problem with your teeth or are receiving treatment, you will likely be told that you need to see the dentist twice a year. This is due to the fact that cavities generally take about that long to form.

Cavities can be filled, and you won't have to worry about a root canal or worse if your dental hygienist can catch them before they get too bad.

Preventative dentistry may save you a lot of time and money in the future by preventing you from experiencing pain and suffering. Your hygienist will offer you a dental cleaning that is more comprehensive than what you can perform on your own, in addition to checking for cavities.

Set-in stains and hardened plaque trapped between your teeth and gums can be treated with proper dental care. You might believe that going to the dentist for regular dental visits will be costly, but most insurance policies include two cleanings each year.

It will not cost you anything to utilize them, and they will not carry over to the next year. You will just have to devote an hour of your time twice a year.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Do you know: How often should you got to the dentist?, then why not take a look at why do cats puke or Ragamuffin cat facts.

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Written by Abhijeet Modi

Master of Computer Science

Abhijeet Modi picture

Abhijeet ModiMaster of Computer Science

An experienced and innovative entrepreneur and creative writer, Abhijeet holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Computer Application from Birla Institute of Technology, Jaipur. He co-founded an e-commerce website while developing his skills in content writing, making him an expert in creating blog posts, website content, product descriptions, landing pages, and editing articles. Passionate about pushing his limits, Abhijeet brings both technical expertise and creative flair to his work.

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