One of the first things you notice about a person is their smile. The state of our mouths can be social signifiers and can exude confidence, but they also can produce negative results. Bad breath, stained teeth, missing teeth, and other factors can be sources of embarrassment and shame, but they do not have to be. On top of the cosmetic aspects of our mouths, our oral health is vitally important to our lives. Heart disease has been linked to poor dental health, and oral cancer occurs in roughly 200,000 people in the United States every year. So how often do you need to see the dentist?
General Recommendations
The general rule of thumb for most people is to visit the dentist once or, more preferably, twice per year. Children are advised to visit the dentist twice per year (once every six months). Regular checkups help dentists keep track of your oral development and do deep cleanings to remove plaque and decay. However, sometimes your situation may warrant more regular visits.
Increased Yearly Visitations
For some people, once or twice per year is not enough. This does not reflect any poor hygiene on their part, however. The issue could come down to simple genetics, disease, or other factors. For example, you may need to visit the dentist more than twice per year if:
- You have a disease such as HIV, oral cancer, heart disease, or diabetes.
- You are pregnant.
- You are a regular smoker.
Additional Visits
Some situations, such as dental emergencies, necessitate extra visits to the dentist. Though you may have already completed your one or two yearly check-ups, you should still contact us at Klooster Family Dentistry if you have specific issues or irritations that we may be able to help. Examples of times when you need to call the dentist are:
- Trouble closing your jaw
- Sensitive teeth
- Long-lasting sores in your mouth
- Swollen or red gums
- Bleeding gums
- Any oral pain that does not subside
Finally, visiting the dentist is no substitute for daily care. Make sure that you are flossing and brushing your teeth daily, avoiding habits like smoking or drinking excessively sugary drinks, and drinking lots of water in between meals. If you have any questions about how often you need to see the dentist, schedule an appointment with Klooster Family Dentistry to talk about what works for your mouth.