Do you find yourself questioning how often you need to schedule a routine checkup and cleaning with your dentist? Although it’s recommended to go twice a year, ideally once every six months, the amount of visits you schedule can vary based on your age and oral health, so it may be best for some patients to go more often than others.
Factors that Can Impact How Often You Should Go to the Dentist
Those with higher risk factors typically need to visit their dentists more frequently. Higher risk factors that have the potential to influence how often you should schedule a dental exam include:
- Your health history
- Your current oral health
- Any medical conditions, especially hypertension, arthritis or diabetes
Why is it Important to Go to the Dentist Regularly?
Regular dental checkups are important because they not only clean and polish your teeth. Dental exams also help:
- Discover cavities early – it’s always better to treat them sooner than later!
- Detect gum disease – gum disease is a common occurrence, and most children and adults are usually unaware they have it.
- Check your previous dental work, like fillings, crowns and veneers.
- Catch early-stage oral cancer – just like with cavities, it’s important to detect any potential oral cancer as early as possible so the best treatment plan can be put into place.
- Improve your oral hygiene with professional guidance.
- Protect your health – your oral health can impact your general health as well.
- Review your oral hygiene. Your dentist and hygienist can help you build and maintain good dental hygiene habits.
- And more!
So… When Should I Go to the Dentist?
If you do not have any pre-existing or concerning conditions that may impact your oral health, two dental cleanings and preventative (routine) examinations per year should do the trick! These routine checkups allow your dental team to discover any issues that may be developing with your gums, teeth or jaw. However, the amount of times you should visit a dentist, again, really depends on the individual.
For example, if someone has a history of smoking, gum disease, cancer, heart problems, or diabetes, a dentist may recommend that you make an appointment every three to four months rather than twice a year.
Since the amount of times you should go to the dentist depends on many factors and not just your age, we recommend scheduling an appointment for a cleaning and exam. During that exam, your dentist will be able to determine exactly how many times a year you should go based on your age, oral health and health history.