Regular visits to the dentist are essential for protecting your dental health, even when you don’t feel like you’re having any issues. This is because a large part of dentistry is preventative and prevention is better than a cure. Dental problems can be painful, costly and time consuming to fix. It’s far better to prevent them from happening in the first place or ensure any issues are detected early when it’s easier to fix.
Generally speaking, you should book a dental appointment for a check up and clean every six months or, at the very least, once a year. However, it’s important to keep in mind that we all have different dental health needs. We also have different levels of risk for developing certain conditions. These unique, personalised factors should be reflected in the frequency of your check ups.
Ask Your Dentist to Find Out How Often to Visit
The best way to determine how often you should visit the dentist is to book an appointment and ask your dentist. They’ll recommend an appropriate frequency for your visits based on specific factors like your age, existing oral health and risk level for developing dental health problems. For example, if you have minor crowding in your teeth, your dentist may want to monitor it through more frequent visits so you can receive early intervention orthodontic work if necessary.
Why are Regular Check-Ups Important?
Regardless of the exact frequency of your dental health check-ups, keeping up with them is essential for a number of reasons. Your dentist has the chance to look for any signs of cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, orthodontic issues and oral cancer. If any of these dental health issues are discovered, early intervention is crucial. When detected early, treatment options tend to be faster, easier and cheaper.
Keep in mind that dental health conditions often develop long before any pain or other symptoms appear. Maintaining good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist on a regular basis also substantially lowers your risk of having a dental health problem in the first place. Dentists can also offer some specific tips and advice for improving your oral hygiene at home.
Benefits of a Dental Clean
Dental cleans are often a part of a regular dental check-up. The dentist cleans your teeth and removes hardened plaque (calculus) using special tools, helping to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. This professional cleaning is extremely effective at removing plaque, tartar and staining, especially along your gum line. It’s important because even the most dedicated brusher and flosser can miss all the plaque while carrying out their regular oral hygiene routine.
How Often Should Children Visit the Dentist?
Children should generally visit the dentist as frequently as adults. This is great because it’s often convenient for your family to visit the dentist together. But once again, the appropriate frequency depends on everyone’s individual needs.
Kids and teenagers often require more frequent visits for orthodontic treatment for example. Regular dental visits at an early age are also a great opportunity to help children feel more comfortable with visiting dentists early and set them up for a lifetime of great oral health habits.
Book a Dental Appointment in North Lakes Today
At Mango Hill Dental, we provide a wide range of dentistry services for the whole family in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Contact us today to book an appointment today at our clinic in North Lakes.