If you’re someone who values oral health, you probably already know that you should go to the dentist for regular checkups. But how often? The answer actually depends on a few factors.
The general rule of thumb is that you should go to the dentist once every six months for a checkup to get a routine cleaning and exam. Both of these checkups will likely be covered if you have dental insurance. These checkup appointments are an opportunity for your dentist to find potential problems before they get larger and less manageable. People who maintain good oral hygiene habits and are at low risk for oral health problems will generally find two appointments per year to be enough.
In some cases, though, you should consider making checkup appointments more frequently than just twice a year. For example, if you are pregnant, you may be at a higher risk for cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems due to changing hormones in the body. Similarly, smokers are at a higher risk for gum disease than the average person, so they should consider going to the dentist for frequent checkups.
Keep in mind if you have any kind of pressing oral health issue, you shouldn’t hesitate to make an appointment with your dentist. The need for treatments like root canals, fillings, tooth removals, deep cleanings, and more can arise without warning. Since you schedule dental treatments as needed, there’s no schedule to follow. Dental checkups are not the same as dental treatments. There’s no way to give a one-size-fits-all answer on how often you should go to the dentist for dental treatments.
When you’re ready to make an appointment, whether it’s your first in a while or your regularly-scheduled checkup, consider coming to Crossroads Family Dentistry, you won’t find such a high commitment to quality care anywhere else.