How Often Should You Go to the Dentist
Good oral health can help you to develop a bright, white, and straight smile. Plus, it can prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and extractions, as well as various serious health conditions.
While you might know you should brush your teeth twice per day and floss daily, you might fail to attend check-ups on schedule. Of course, health conditions and risk factors will determine how often you should make an appointment.
To keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout the years, read the below advice on how often you should go to the dentist.
Visit the Dentist Every Six Months
The average adult and child are encouraged to visit the dentist every six months. During each appointment, a qualified dentist will review your oral health to spot and stop potential issues in their tracks, such as tooth decay or gum disease. If necessary, a dentist will then provide advice, diagnosis, or treatment to restore your smile.
Who Should Visit the Dentist More Often?
While twice-yearly trips to the dentist are recommended for many people, some patients will have a higher risk of developing various dental conditions.
Higher risk groups can include:
- Pregnant women
- Diabetics
- People living with gum disease
- People who have many cavities, plaque build-up, or tartar
- Smokers
- People with a weak immune system
If you fall into one of the above groups, you will need to arrange dental visits every three months. It is, however, important to talk to your dentist regarding your oral health and to ask, “how often should I go to the dentist?” For example, if you are ill or under stress, you might be advised to visit the dentist regularly.
Patients who have also undergone major dental work should attend frequent appointments. Depending on the required procedure, a dentist might need a patient to visit their dental office frequently to monitor the progress of a treatment and make the appropriate adjustments. In addition to restorations, patients who have experienced a root canal treatment or periodontal disease might need routine check-ups to improve or maintain the health of their teeth and gums.
Oral Health and Pregnancy
Pregnant women must make an appointment as soon as they discover they are expecting. Hormonal changes can increase their susceptibility to oral infections. Plus, gum disease could increase the likelihood of a low birth weight or premature birth, and both mother and baby will have a higher risk of developing severe health problems. It is, therefore, imperative for the health of you and your son or daughter to visit an Asheville dentist as soon as possible.
Medical Complications for Poor Oral Health
Poor dental health cannot only damage your smile and cause unnecessary pain, but it could increase your risk of developing various health conditions.
For example, poor oral hygiene is linked to:
- Heart disease
- Oral cancers
- Diabetes
- Dementia
- Respiratory infections
- Infertility
- Pregnancy complications
- Kidney disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
As oral health can impact overall health, you must not neglect your teeth and gums throughout the years. Avoid the above issues by booking regular trips to the dentist and embarking on good oral hygiene techniques each day. A few routine check-ups could transform your wellbeing and quality of life.
The Importance of Regular Trips to the Dentist
Caring for your teeth and gums at home might help you to avoid oral health problems, but you will still need to visit a dentist regularly. A knowledgeable dentist can spot early signs of an issue that you might not see or feel. Various dental problems don’t often lead to pain until they are in the advanced stages, such as cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer.
Regular dental appointments can, however, spot the early signs of a disease and provide the appropriate treatment to eradicate the issue. It could help you to protect your health and smile while avoiding unnecessary pain and suffering.
How to Avoid Frequent Dental Appointments
Good oral hygiene is the best way to prevent frequent dental appointments and complications. To keep your gums and teeth healthy, you must brush your teeth twice per day and floss at least once. Regular teeth cleaning will also allow you to enjoy a squeaky-clean smile, and you should avoid sugary food and drinks, smoking, and chewing tobacco. You also could ask your dentist for advice on how to avoid dental issues in the future, as they could demonstrate brushing and flossing techniques and provide dietary advice.
If you haven’t booked an appointment for many months or years, ask how often you should go to the dentist to ensure you never miss a check-up. If a dentist doesn’t identify any cavities or signs of gum disease, they might recommend lengthening the time between dental visits. However, you should never make this decision yourself and always follow a dentist’s medical advice.
The Dental Cleaning Procedure
Patients should attend a professional dental cleaning every six months. During the appointment, a dental hygienist will take the time to remove both plaque and tartar to ensure you have clean, smooth, and healthy teeth.
What’s more, they will measure your gums to identify early signs of gum disease or pocketing. Digital dental x-rays might also be periodically captured to monitor decay around your teeth, restorations, or crowns while ensuring you don’t have an abscess, cyst, or another oral health issue.
Why Choose Biltmore Avenue?
We here at Biltmore Avenue are dedicated to improving the health of our patients’ teeth and gums. To do so, we provide comprehensive family dental services, such as a full oral exam, polishing and cleaning, x-rays, and fluoride, and periodontal probing. You also can rest assured you will be in safe hands when you book dental appointments with us, as we are ranked as number 15 out of 170 local dental offices in Asheville.
If you would like to book an appointment at our reputable family dental office for yourself or loved ones, don’t hesitate to contact Biltmore Avenue by calling (828) 216-9531 (Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm) or sending an email to info@bafdentistry.com.