The Real Deal: How Many Times Do You Truly Need To Visit Your Dentist?

Do you visit your dentist regularly? How often? Do you know how often you should see your dentist?

If you have a dental problem, your visit depends on the visits necessary to complete your treatment. If you’re experiencing no dental problems, dentists suggest that you should go for a check-up and cleaning session every six months or at least once a year.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Australian Government do not have definite guidelines for recommended dental visits. In Australia, the National Oral Health Promotion Clearinghouse provides no definite number of dental check-up frequency, but an evidence-based recommendation is provided:

“Everyone has different oral health needs and risk levels, which should be reflected in the frequency of check-ups. Talk with your oral health professional about your risk level and how frequently you need to visit for an oral health check.”

Base It On Evidence

There has yet to be definitive research that can provide the ideal dental visit frequency.

Currently, dentists recommend a visit every six months because they found that such a period is sufficient enough for the early detection of possible oral health issues and problems. Oral health problems or diseases can be efficiently dealt with and treated when detected at its early stage. Preventive care is still the best way to go. Although such recommendation is reasonable and is based on professional practice, not enough Evidence and research exist to support it. Hence, it can’t be a general recommendation that applies to all.

Duly, an evidence-based recommendation by the National Oral Health Promotion Clearinghouse, provides that recall periods are highly dependent on unique individual needs. Per the national recommendation, those with complex dental needs should visit every three months, while those with no dental complications should visit at least every two years.

The Importance Of Regular Check-Ups

You should not stress yourself on the ideal frequency of your dental visit because what is truly important is ensuring that you have regular dental visits. Your dedication to ensuring the wellness of your dental health is what matters most.

Regular dental check-ups are of prime importance because it gives your dentist the chance to evaluate your oral health and look for warning signs of possible issues, problems, or diseases such as gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer.

With a regular check-up, your dentist can easily detect possible problems and instantly discuss solutions and treatment options. Maintaining a regular dental visit effectively lessens your risk of having any complex dental problem.

During a regular dental check-up, you will also undergo cleaning and scaling treatments. Such treatments remove plaque that has hardened. The removal of hardened plaque helps in the prevention of gum disease. During cleaning and scaling, your dentist and hygienist will be able to evaluate your dental health better and give you expert advice on how to improve your oral hygiene.

To date, the is also no definite guideline for the recommended frequency of dental cleaning. As each individual has unique needs, your dentist or hygienist will be the best person to tell you the recommended frequency for you.

Dental Visits Of Children

There is no difference between the recommended frequency of dental visits for adults and children. The recommended dental visit frequency is the same. Families can have their regular dental check-ups all on the same day as it can be more convenient. Take note, though, that the frequency will differ if any member of your family has more particular dental needs.

The World Dental Federation and Australia’s National Oral Health Plan recommend for children to have their first dental appointment before reaching the age of two.

Children that experience regular dental visit at an early age are more comfortable and at ease with their dentists.

Do Australians Visit Their Dentist Often?

There may be no definite dental visit frequency recommendation for Australians, but we do have enough data to show just how often Australians visit their dentists.

The National Dental Telephone Interview Survey gathered the following data:

• 5% of adults visit their dentist at least once a year
• 9% of children aged 5-11 visit their dentist at least once a year
• 4% of youth aged 12-17 visit their dentist at least once a year
• Families with high income visit their dentist more often.

Teeth X-ray

A comprehensive oral health assessment will have you undergo a dental x-ray. It aids dentists in determining the health of the areas between your teeth and underneath your gums. It will show if you’re already experiencing bone loss or suffering from dental problems that are not seen by the naked eye.

This process is not regularly recommended for all. It is only done when your dentist is under the impression that it is strictly necessary. If you’ve already had one done within the past few months, you may no longer need to have one again. All will be dependent on the evaluation of your dentist.

If you’re pregnant, you should not undergo a dental x-ray. Young children should also not undergo a dental x-ray.

When Should You Visit Your Dentist?

To know exactly just how often you should have dental visits, you should ask for the recommendation of your dentist. Your dentist is fully aware of your dental health needs, and he or she will be best equipped to determine the needed dental visit frequency to secure your oral health wellness. Your individual needs can vary and change as you age, so do note that your dentist’s recommendation can change over time as well.

You should visit your dentist the soonest time possible if you haven’t had a dental check-up within the last 12 months for a comprehensive dental health assessment and teeth cleaning. If you’re from Joondalup and you’re looking for a dentist, your dentist Joondalup needs can be tended by the happy dental experts of Dentist Joondalup. Dentist Joondalup is open from Mondays to Fridays. Their friendly staff and dental experts are always happy to help you with all your dental needs.