We all know that we should book an appointment at the dentist’s office for regular checkups so we can keep our teeth in tip-top condition.
Of course the term ‘regular’ can mean all things to all people, so what’s the consensus on scheduling to see your dentist, and why does this make a difference?
Broad recommendations are a good starting point
The typical recommendation for organizing dental reviews is once every 6 months. That might seem like a lot, and indeed it can be overkill for people who have got especially resilient teeth. Of course because of the nature of averages, there will be others who actually need more frequent checkups.
So as a rule of thumb, plan to see a dentist once or twice a year, even if everything feels fine. The earlier any dental issues are spotted, the easier it will be to treat them.
Checkups are swift and simple, treatments are more complex
Another point to make is that when you arrive for a regular checkup, you don’t have to expect anything intensive will take place. Usually your dentist will examine your teeth and gums, voice any concerns they have, give advice on maintenance and clean up any trouble spots in a matter of minutes.
Treatments, on the other hand, will be booked in separately, and are a different beast entirely. For example, if you need wisdom teeth extraction, this will require local or even general anesthetic, and the attention of a qualified dental surgeon.
Conversely, you might have twice-yearly checkups for a decade without needing treatment if you stick to oral health best practices. It’s part genetics, part luck, and part good hygiene.
Cost is a consideration
Bear in mind that dental insurance is a great way of minimizing or entirely eliminating the costs of having a dental checkup.
If you don’t have cover, you’ll be liable for whatever fee your dentist charges to all patients, and while this might be small, it could mount up if you need to visit more regularly than the average.
So as well as having dental insurance, it makes sense to clean your teeth and keep on top of general oral health from a financial perspective. Treatments can be costly, and early intervention as well as healthy habits are easier on your bank balance.
Your dentist will advise you on when to visit next
Ultimately you don’t need to use guesswork to determine when the time is right to have a checkup at the dentist, because you can expect them to give you a recommended interval based on your current oral health.
This of course requires you to visit in the first place, so again if you’re putting it off, you won’t know how bad things have got until agonizing pain arrives.
It’s best practice to book your next appointment before you leave the dentist’s office, so don’t forget to have your diary to hand, or use a calendar app on your smartphone, to ensure this doesn’t clash with any of your other commitments.
Lifestyle choices make a difference
The last point to take onboard is that the frequency of dental checkups will change according to the choices you make in the rest of your life.
For example, smokers are more susceptible to oral diseases, and also to the general discoloration of their teeth that comes from exposure to tobacco.
Likewise if you drink alcohol, this puts you at greater risk of requiring dental treatment, so more regular checkups will counteract this, or at least make it more manageable.
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