How Often Should You Visit the Dentist?
Many dental and periodontal diseases develop very slowly, producing almost no symptoms. Therefore, patients often only realize they have a problem when it's already advanced enough to require long, arduous, and very expensive treatment. Systematic prevention and early diagnosis can help prevent such complications – that's why it's important to monitor the condition of your teeth with regular checkups. Yes, even if you don't feel any pain, you still need to visit the dentist. Just because you don't feel pain doesn't mean there's nothing wrong.
How often should you visit the dentist?
It's difficult to provide a definitive answer to this question, as there are no universal guidelines regarding the frequency of dental checkups. Recommendations in this regard are always determined individually. The standard practice is to visit a specialist at least twice a year, or on average, every six months, but this is the absolute minimum. Dentists recommend more frequent checkups to many of their patients. These are necessary, for example, for those prone to certain conditions, who could develop serious issues within six months. To prevent this, visits are recommended every three or four months.
The rationale for such frequent checkups can be easily illustrated with the example of dental caries. Minor cavities require only a few minutes of simple filling, while pulp inflammation, which results from untreated caries, causes extreme pain and requires a long, unpleasant, and very expensive endodontic procedure. This procedure also results in a loss of the tooth's aesthetics and the need for reconstruction, which will incur further expenses.
The recommended frequency of dental checkups also depends on the patient's age. Children without permanent teeth should have checkups every three months, as baby teeth are less mineralized and therefore more susceptible to caries. Similar recommendations apply to pregnant women, whose hormonal fluctuations often cause recurrent gingivitis and problems with the absorption of calcium, the main component of teeth.
How does a dental check-up work, and how long does it take?
A routine dental checkup includes an examination and a patient interview. During the interview, the doctor asks about the patient's symptoms and any changes they have noticed, if any. The examination involves a thorough examination of each tooth, as well as the gums, tongue, and mucosa, often using instruments such as a probe or microscope. This process takes about 10 minutes. Sometimes, the need for additional tests (e.g., a panoramic X-ray, which allows for a thorough examination of both dental arches and their roots) can extend this time by several minutes. If, during the checkup, it turns out that a lesion has developed and treatment is necessary, the doctor will refer the patient to a dentist specializing in the specific field, or – if the lesion is minor – the doctor will address it immediately. During the checkup, the doctor may also perform a dental hygiene treatment or have it performed by a hygienist. It's also a good idea to take advantage of this routine checkup to seek advice on proper oral hygiene, choose the right toothbrush, or ask for instructions on flossing. Your dentist will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
In conclusion
At the very least, you should be seeing a dentist twice a year for an exam and cleanings. This is so the dentist can track your oral health and notice any small or big changes in your mouth. Contact us today to schedule an appointment, and together, we will take care of your oral health and your smile!