How Often Should You Go to the Dentist?

Posted on 10th December 2024

How Often Should You Go to the Dentist?

https://midasdental.com.au/how-often-should-you-go-to-the-dentist

Going to the dentist is a crucial part of maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing problems like tooth decay and gum disease. But how often should you go? This depends on a range of factors and your individual needs. However, some general guidelines can help you determine how often you should get your teeth checked.

Why are regular dental check-ups important?

Even if you brush and floss every day and have great oral hygiene, you cannot skip going to the dentist. Dentists usually recommend getting your teeth checked twice a year as this is the period during which cavities or infections might develop. Serious issues like oral cancer and gum disease do not cause pain until they are in a more advanced stage, making treatment and aftercare more complicated if left undiagnosed. A six-month window gives healthcare professionals an early start in detecting any possible issues.

Further, changes in your diet, sugar intake, medication use, illness, and other factors might also put you at risk for dental problems. This is why it is important to schedule an appointment with your dentist twice a year even if nothing is wrong.  

How often should kids go to the dentist?

Children’s dentistry is important – kids should be taken to the dentist when their first tooth appears. After this, a visit every six months is fine, just like the whole family. 

Dr Katrina Zhao from Midas Dental says, “It is important to take your child to the dentist regularly because this will help them get comfortable around doctors and their equipment. We want your children to enjoy coming to visit us!”

Regular visits will also help dentists catch cavities early; in fact, a national survey found that on average, Australian children have at least one cavity. Additionally, routine visits help dentists keep track of the development of your child’s jaw. Any irregularities can be fixed early on, which might reduce the need for braces later in life.

What determines how often you go to the dentist?

1. Your lifestyle

If you smoke or drink regularly, you might need to visit the dentist more often. Alcohol consumption puts you at a higher risk of tooth loss, and tobacco usage is linked to oral cancer, gum disease, and infections.

2. Oral hygiene

If you take care of your teeth, you do not need to visit the dentist as often. Brush and floss every day, and reduce your consumption of processed food, particularly hard, sharp food that might damage your teeth and 

3. Family history

If your family has a history of developing jawbone issues, you might have to visit the dentist more often to catch any issues early. You might be genetically predisposed to have crowded or crooked teeth, in which case getting braces early might reduce the need for treatment later.

What happens when you don’t go to the dentist?

Not getting your teeth checked regularly greatly increases the risk of developing health and lifestyle conditions.

1. Bad breath

Plaque, infections, and cavities may lead to very bad breath which is not only off-putting but also a cause for concern. Bad breath may signal bigger problems like gum disease, so it is crucial to get it checked out in time.

2. Cavities and tooth decay

It might be difficult to notice cavities, especially at the back of your jaw, if you don’t visit the dentist regularly. Cavities do not start hurting until a more advanced stage when intervention is expensive.

3. Plaque buildup

Plaque is a sticky substance that builds up on your teeth from leftover food and saliva. Plaque builds up and hardens when you don’t brush your teeth regularly. Not only can they make your teeth appear yellower, but they can cause infections and gum disease because they house bacteria. If you don’t go to a dentist often, you might not notice plaque buildup, which can cause significant damage to your oral health.

4. Gum disease

Gum disease is often hard to notice at an early stage because it is initially painless. If left untreated, it can cause serious damage to your mouth and impair your eating. A dentist can detect this early and come up with treatment plans before things get worse.

Let’s discuss your options

It is generally recommended that adults see a dentist at least twice a year for regular checkups and cleaning. However, your individual needs may vary, which is why it is important to follow your dentist’s recommendations. Want a custom dental care schedule in Sydney? Talk to us!