How Often You Should Visit The Dentist
Many people think that going to the dentist only becomes necessary when the toothache becomes unbearable. However, if you want to enjoy a perfect dental health, then you should make sure to visit your dentist regularly. So how often should you visit your dentist? To answer this question, we should first know why regular dental visits are important for us.
Why it is Necessary to Visit the Dentist Regularly
Imagine what would happen to your car if you fail to take maintain regular maintenance? The results could be disastrous. Your teeth and oral cavity require regular checkups, even if you brush and floss your teeth regularly. Why? Because you cannot see inside your mouth. Many dental infections are not felt, or become visible until they have caused damage to your teeth and gums. With the help of an astute clinical and radiographic examination, your dentist can see what you can’t. In this way, dentists can detect and treat dental problems well before they can cause any permanent damage. Subsequently, you should never miss an appointment with your dentist.
How Often is Going to the Dentist Good for You
Now, coming back to the question. There is no specific number regarding how often should you go to the dentist. Previously, dentists used to advise their patients to visit them at least twice in a year. However, according to the latest recommendations of the American Dental Association (ADA), your dentist is the most appropriate person to decide about the frequency of dental check-up visits, while keeping in view your oral health status and all the associated risk factors that can aggravate your dental health.
Frequency of Dental Visits for “High Risk” Patients
The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes high risk dental patients as those who have any of the following associated risk factors:
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Habitual smoking
- Genetic predisposition to frequent development of gum and periodontal problems
These high-risk patients require stringent monitoring, and must visit the dentist more frequently. Their dentists will prepare an individualized preventive oral healthcare program for them, which will include a strict oral hygiene routine, frequent teeth cleaning and an increased number of dental checkups throughout the year. The same is true for senior citizens, who are also at a higher risk of developing dental problems.
Frequency of Dental Visits for “Low Risk” Patients
For low risk patients who do not have any risk factors associated with dental health, the ADA recommends going to the dentist for teeth cleaning and preventive check-ups once in a year. Again, your dentist may be able to guide you better about the frequency of your visits.
Frequency of Dental Visits for Pediatric Patients
Most parents think that since milk teeth of their children are only temporary, therefore, there is no need to take care of them, and to visit the dentist regularly. The fact is, that the milk teeth are placeholders for the permanent dentition and any infection within the primary teeth is likely to be transferred to the permanent ones. Therefore, the American Association of Pediatric dentistry (AAPD) recommends that parents should take their kids to a dentist twice in a year. However, children who are at higher risk of developing teeth cavities should be going to the dentist more often, and how often should you take your children to the dentist is best decided by their dental healthcare providers.
A Final Word!
Most dental insurance companies pay for teeth cleaning only twice in a year. Any teeth cleaning visit beyond that must be paid by the patients from their own pockets. However, this should not let you stop from looking after your oral health. If your dentist feels that you should get your teeth cleaned after every 3 months, try to follow his or her instructions to the letter, even if you need pay for it. Remember, if you maintain an impeccable oral hygiene, it would contribute to your overall physical health. And for doing that, you should start visit the dentist regularly.
It might be reassuring to know that at Riverview with the latest technologies in our clinic you’re going to have a perfectly pain free dental experience.
Call us today at 605-339-2040 with your questions, concerns!