The frequency with which you should visit your dentist at Blunston Dental Group in Airdrie for a checkup and dental cleaning depends primarily on your individual needs, and the state of your oral health.
These days, the primary goal of dentistry is to prevent problems from developing in the first place, rather than fixing them once they already exist.
As a result, most dentists expect their adult patients to visit them on a regular basis for an oral health checkup and cleaning, so that they can head off any developing issues, and perform preventive treatments, like cleanings and fluoride treatment.
Even people who take excellent care of their teeth and gums at home still need to see a dentist regularly, since a dentist can identify problems that may not be evident to a non-professional in their early stages.
In fact, many dental problems don't become obvious or painful until they are in their more advanced stages. Examples include cavities, gum disease and oral cancer. Regular visits allow your dentist to find early signs of these problems, and treat them while they're more manageable, before they become serious.
But how often should these visits take place? The answer to this question depends on a few different factors.
For most adults, the rule of thumb is to go to the dentist twice a year for maintenance visits, and this has been very effective in improving people’s oral health in general over the last several decades. That said, this frequency is not right for everyone.
Scheduling dental visits should be based upon each person's oral hygiene, habits and medical conditions.
Some people, for instance those with a minimal risk of cavities or gum disease, can get away with fewer visits. Others may need more frequent visits.
People with a high risk of dental disease might need to visit every three or four months, or even more. High-risk groups include:
- Smokers
- Pregnant women
- Diabetics
- People with current gum disease
- People with a weak immune response to bacterial infection
- People prone to plaque build up and cavities