How Often Should You Visit the Dentist? A Comprehensive Guide

Dental exams are generally recommended every six months, but this isn't necessarily the best option for everyone. It is important to consider your mouth, hygiene, habits, and overall well-being when determining how often you should have a dental checkup. In this article, we will discuss why going to the dentist is essential, what you can do to stay healthy and minimize your visits, and the recommended frequency for dental check-ups. As an expert in the field of oral health, I can tell you that the typical recommendation to visit the dentist twice a year comes from a toothpaste advertisement, and there's little or no research to back it up.

Traditionally, checkups are recommended every six months. However, some people may be at greater risk of developing dental problems and may need more frequent checkups, while others may not need them as often. The team of authors wanted to identify the best time interval between dental exams. The authors looked for randomized controlled studies, in which people were assigned different intervals at random. NICE guidelines recommend that dentists and patients agree on an appropriate interval between reviews.

This interval ranges from every three months to every two years for adults. Most dentists recommend that people have checkups every six months. However, these recommendations and customs are based on low-quality evidence. Preventive measures are a great way to maintain oral hygiene, but if you can't easily access the products and services you need to take care of your oral health, you're more likely to need frequent dental checkups. Your dental team can also determine if you're doing a good job with your oral hygiene at home or if you need to intensify it. The research included an analysis of costs for the NHS and for patients, and looked at people's willingness to pay for dental appointments.

Three different analyses looked at which treatment interval offered the best value for money and, at the same time, maximized overall health-related quality of life, the overall benefit to society, and the benefits for dental health. Fillings and other dental procedures don't last forever, which is why the dentist checks their condition during an exam. The lead author, Patrick Fee, explains: “This research is valuable considering the significant impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on dental services around the world, since it limits patients' access to dental treatment. They will make recommendations for a new filling, crown, or bridge if the current one no longer keeps the tooth strong and healthy. Dental treatments are specialized visits to treat problems related to fillings, deep dental cleanings, root canals, tooth extraction, and more. Tobacco use can cause gum disease and also make it difficult for the body to heal after dental procedures and oral surgery.

After the checkup, the dentist will recommend a date for your next checkup.

Conclusion

Getting checkups every six months could help keep your mouth healthy and avoid dental problems in the future. However, having checkups less often can make dental problems worse and cause difficult and expensive treatments and care. There has been a long-standing international debate about the optimal frequency of dental check-ups and this review includes the most current and robust evidence available to investigate this topic.

These routine visits allow the dentist to detect any dental problems and other oral health problems that you may not have noticed.

Takeaway

It is important to consider your mouth, hygiene habits, overall well-being when determining how often you should have a dental checkup. Most dentists recommend that people have checkups every six months but this isn't necessarily the best option for everyone. Preventive measures are a great way to maintain oral hygiene but if you can't easily access the products and services you need to take care of your oral health then you're more likely to need frequent dental checkups.