How often should you visit the dentist?
Taking care of your teeth means more than brushing and flossing.
Even if you take excellent care of your teeth and gums at home, you still need to see a dentist regularly. We can check for problems that you may not see or feel.
In some cases dental problems don't become visible or cause pain until they are in more advanced stages.
Great examples include cavities, gum disease and oral cancer. Regular visits allow your dentist to find early signs of disease.
On average, seeing a dentist every six months works for most. Once a year at times as others may need more frequent visits. People with very little risk of cavities or gum disease can do fine seeing their dentist once a year.
People with a high risk of dental disease might need to visit every three or four months, or more. This high-risk group includes:
Smokers
Pregnant women
Diabetics
People with current gum disease
People with a weak immune response to bacterial infection
People who tend to get cavities or build up plaque
The schedule for any person may change during a lifetime. In times of stress or illness, you may need to see the dentist more often than usual.
