How Often Should You Visit the Dentist? A Quick Guide

Nearly one-third of all adults in the U.S. have untreated tooth decay. Without treatment, it can eventually damage the nerve and create a pathway for bacteria to enter the tooth.

This can lead to a severe infection, which can spread to the jawbone and other parts of the body.

The good news is that you can prevent all that by practicing good oral hygiene—and that includes going for regular checkups.

How often should you visit the dentist? Why is it so important? We’ll be going over the answers in detail below. Keep reading to learn more about the topic!

Visiting the Dentist: How Often Is Enough? 

As a general rule, you want to go to the general dentist twice a year, or every six months. With that said, there are exceptions. For example, recreational smokers are advised to see their dentist 3-4 times a year.

Why? Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of periodontal disease and other oral infections. Not only that, but it’s one of the strongest risk factors for oral cancer.

Diabetics, pregnant women, and those experiencing oral problems such as halitosis and bruxism should also go for more frequent checkups.

The Importance of Regular Dental Checkups 

Preventative dentistry is key when it comes to protecting your teeth. That’s why regular checkups are so important; they’ll allow your dentist to check for signs of gum disease, cavities, and oral cancer.

Not only that, but they’ll also be able to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth—something that you can’t do at home. That’ll help stave off cavities and other oral health issues.

In some cases, other dental services such as x-rays may be necessary; it’ll allow them to diagnose problems that are difficult to detect with just a visual exam. For example, it can help them identify abscesses, decay between teeth, and impacted teeth.

When to Go to the Dentist Right Away

Make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible if you have a chipped or broken tooth. If you wait, it can become even more damaged, or worse, it can become infected and that can lead to serious health risks.

More often than not, they’ll fix it by applying a filling or veneer. If a substantial portion of the tooth is lost, they may cap it with a crown.

You should also visit the dentist immediately if you have an extreme toothache, sudden sensitivity, loose teeth, bleeding gums, or any other unusual symptoms.

Knowing When to Visit the Dentist

One of the best things that you can do for your teeth is to visit the dentist regularly. That way, you’ll be able to detect potential issues before they worsen—and as always, the sooner you treat them, the better.

Was the information in this guide helpful? Looking for more articles like this? Then make sure to browse through the rest of our health section!