As people age, there is always a natural tendency to put off going to the dentist for a routine cleaning. A combination of busy work schedules, parenting responsibilities, and social calendars can sometimes mean your dental health takes a back seat. But the longer you delay your preventative care visits, the more prone you are to developing plaque buildup, gum disease, and other serious conditions.
When people ask, “how often should I visit the dentist?”, the general consensus is twice a year (i.e., every six months), and while this is a healthy habit for you and your family to follow, the truth is the amount of times you should visit your dental care team will depend on your individual condition, health history, lifestyle, and nutrition.
How to Know When to Visit the Dentist
There are certain reasons why you may need to visit your dentist more than twice a year. For instance, if you are prone to cavities or gum disease, are a smoker, have diabetes, or are pregnant, or thinking of becoming pregnant, you may be at higher risk of developing other health issues without the help and support of your dental care team (Colgate).
In addition, if you’ve had braces put in or you’re starting Invisalign treatment, your dentist may require you to visit the office more frequently to monitor and assess your progress and make appropriate changes, as needed. This may also be true if you recently had a dental implant procedure or emergency surgery.
Benefits of a Professional Teeth Cleaning Every Six Months
For some patients, scheduling a routine cleaning is sufficient for your dental care needs. But when you delay or skip these visits altogether, you’re putting yourself at risk of becoming ill or contracting diseases that require costly procedures to help treat.
By visiting your dentist regularly, you can expect the following benefits:
- Early detection and intervention of dental concerns – this will prevent issues from getting worse and may only require non-invasive treatment to correct the problem.
- Regular removal of tartar buildup
- Prevention of cavities and gum disease
- Overall better health and wellness – remember, your oral cavity and surrounding structures are correlated with all the other aspects of your body’s health. Dental care should be viewed as comprehensive wellness care.
Due for a Dentist Visit?
If you’ve been put off visiting the dentist for longer than you’d like to admit, it’s normal to feel anxious about scheduling a visit. You might be worried about the current health condition of your teeth and gums.
At Dakota Dental, we strive to ensure our patients are treated with respect, quality care, and the best dental treatment options available. We offer sedation dentistry to put you mind at ease, if fear of pain is keeping you from going to the dentist, as well as special financing options if concerns over costs are causing you to delay your regular appointments. Furthermore, we have recently implemented effective measures and policies into our operations to help protect our patients and staff and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
If you’re ready to get your teeth and gums back to optimal health and feel confident about your smile again, we can help. No matter how long it has been, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our team today!
We’re here to support you throughout your dental health journey. We never pass judgement; we only provide quality dental care.