How Often Should You Visit the Dentist?
When was the last time you visited the dentist? If it’s been a while and/or you aren’t keeping track, you’ll definitely want to take a look. Regular trips to the dentist can keep your smile fresh and can help you to avoid major oral health problems that can be damaging and costly.
Below is information about visiting the dentist, including how often you should go for preventive care services and when you should consider visiting between scheduled cleanings and checkups.
How Often Should You Visit the Dentist?
It’s important to visit your dentist for a routine cleaning and checkup at least twice a year (every six months). With that said, your dentist may determine that you should visit even more often. This can be the case after an oral healthcare procedure that treated more serious issues.
There are also times in between regularly scheduled visits in which you’ll want to visit the dentist. If you are having any oral health concerns or a dental emergency, it’s important to reach out to your dentist for an examination and to have the issue addressed as soon as possible.
What to Expect at a Cleaning and Checkup
At a routine cleaning and checkup, your hygienist and dentist will work together to provide you with the ongoing maintenance services needed to keep your teeth, gums, and overall oral cavity healthy. The trip will begin with a thorough examination provided by your hygienist. If it has been a while since your last X-rays, they may take new X-rays for review. From there, your hygienist will clean and polish your teeth using specialized tools.
After your cleaning and initial examination have been completed, your dentist will take a look at your oral cavity and any X-rays that may have been taken. They will then let you know if your oral health is good or if additional care is needed. This may include more advanced procedures to address any issues.
The trip often takes around an hour from start to finish.
Between Scheduled Visit Examinations and Emergency Visits
If you are experiencing any issues between your regularly scheduled visits, you should consider reaching out to your dentist for an examination. This may include bleeding, pain, discoloration, chips, cracks, pus, or any other abnormalities. If they are particularly severe (like in the cases of extreme pain, tooth loosening, tooth loss, etc.), seek out emergency dental services. If none are immediately available, you may want to consider visiting your local hospital.
Contact Us
If it’s time for your next cleaning and checkup, contact us today. We’ll get an appointment scheduled for your professional cleaning and examination. We look forward to meeting with you and providing you with the outstanding oral healthcare you deserve.
Related Article: What is Teeth Cleaning?
