Most people know that they need to visit the dentist on a regular basis, but for one reason or another, many people don't make that happen. According to the American Dental Association, only half of Americans have been to the dentist in the past six months.
So how often are you supposed to go to the dentist? And are there certain types of people who need to go more often?
If you're wondering how often should you go to the dentist, keep reading for a guide that'll help make things clear.
How Often Should You Go to the Dentist?
There's some confusion surrounding how often you should visit the dentist, but the recommendations are clear. Experts recommend visiting every six months for a routine checkup. But if you don't have any dental concerns, why should you go?
As is the case with your primary care physician, a dentist will help make sure that everything is as it should be. They'll clean your teeth to help them look and feel their best, then inspect for any other problems. These problems may be small and may go unnoticed by the untrained eye.
According to the CDC, one in four adults has tooth decay. Likewise, almost half of adults show signs of gum diseases. Many people are unaware they have these problems. Dentists help identify and treat them, as well as prevent them from worsening.
Visiting a dentist every six months will help stop any problems from developing further. Dentists also help your pearly whites to shine, and who doesn't want that?
Symptoms to Look Out for
As mentioned, you should plan on making a trip to your dentist for a general checkup every six months. However, there are some symptoms that you should look out for. If you experience any of them, consider visiting sooner to sort things out.
Regardless of what you're doing, your teeth should feel strong and healthy. If this begins to change and you start to experience dental aches or pains, consider seeing a dentist to get to the bottom of it. You should also watch out for increased sensitivity or bleeding in your gums.
Another reason you may need to make an emergency trip to your family dentist is to fix something that's gone wrong from a previous procedure. For example, if a filling comes out or you need to replace a crown, don't put off doing that.
Most dentists will be able to squeeze you in that day or the next for any emergency appointment requests.
Medical Conditions That Require More Frequent Visits
Aside from problems with past dental procedures and changes in dental health, some other conditions may require you to visit a dentist more often than you may otherwise be used to.
Different diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer can all lead to gum and tooth complications. These conditions can cause extreme and sudden changes in your mouth, regardless of how healthy your teeth and gums used to be.
If you smoke cigarettes, be aware of the damage you're doing to your body, including your teeth. Smoking makes you more vulnerable to gum disease, and can also lead to more serious conditions, such as oral cancer. If you can, do your best to quit the habit altogether.
Children Have Special Needs
If you have any children, you also need to remember to take them to visit the dentist as well. Similar to how you take children to see a pediatrician, make a point to try and take your kids to visit a pediatric dentist.
Pediatric dentists undergo extra training while at dental school. This makes them more skilled and familiar with working with children, whether they're adolescents or infants. Children have special needs in terms of sedation and these special services are provided by providers like sedation dentistry auckland.
It may seem unnecessary to take your children to see a dentist (after all, their teeth just came in!), but it's important to build a solid foundation while children are young. Good dental hygiene, habits, and practice are things that carry over into adulthood and benefit them for their entire life.
Healthy Teeth Start at Home
Are you not a fan of going to see the dentist? If not, the best way to not have to make sudden, emergency visits, is to make sure that you take good care of your teeth at home. This can help keep the number of unexpected visits to a minimum.
Make sure that you brush your teeth at least twice a day, for two minutes each time. This will help to remove any bacteria and particles that have built up on your teeth. Rinsing with mouthwash after brushing can also help.
The toothbrush you use also plays a role in your dental hygiene. Today, most dentists recommend using electric toothbrushes. These do a much better job of cleaning your teeth and can get particles out of places that traditional brushes can't.
You also need to make sure that you floss your teeth once a day. Do this before you brush your teeth, to loosen up the particles that you then remove with your toothbrush. It may seem tedious at first, but with time, it'll become habitual.
Be Proactive With Your Health: Schedule a Dentist Appointment Today
Many people caught up in their busy lives find it hard to find time to visit the dentist. Yet visiting the dentist is the key to making sure that your teeth and gums stay healthy. If you're wondering how often should you go to the dentist, this guide should help you know when to schedule your next appointment.
Do you now have a clear understanding of how often to go to the dentist? Before you go and schedule your next appointment, make sure to check out some of our other blog posts for more health and wellness guides and tips.
