How Often Should You Go to the Dentist? Dental Hub Antalya

How often should you go to the dentist? The common answer is twice a year, but this isn’t always the case. And even if it were, most people do not visit the dentist regularly.

According to a survey, 42% of adults in the US admit that they don’t visit the dentist as often as necessary.

Another 15% said they only see the dentist when they experience pain.

There is no straightforward answer to the question as the frequency of visits depends on each individual’s peculiar oral health conditions and the doctor’s recommendation.

Also, the World Health Organization (WHO) does not have a specific requirement on the number of times to visit the dentist.

Difference Between a Dental Checkup and a Dental Treatment

Dental checkups are regular visits to the dentist. It consists of routine examinations and cleaning.

On the other hand, dental treatment is a specialized visit to the dentist to treat a particular oral problem. It can be issues related to fillings, root canals, tooth removal, deep teeth cleaning, etc.

Ideally, dental checkups follow a routine schedule, while dental treatments are scheduled when needed. However, having regular dental checkups can prevent the need for dental treatment.

Why Is a Dental Checkup Important?

Dental checkups are essential for everyone. The routine visits enable your dentist to detect any potential dental issues and other oral health conditions you aren’t aware of.

If you don’t visit the dentist regularly, the chances are that the untreated dental condition will get worse, become painful, and may prove challenging to treat.

Regular dental visits also allow your dentist to inspect your teeth and gum, which helps prevent oral health issues.

As part of the checks, your dentist will check for cavities and give specific oral health instructions; if followed to the latter, these instructions will prevent you from getting cavities.

A UK survey showed that children who pay visits to the dentist only when they notice a dental problem had more fillings and decayed teeth than children who visit the dentist regularly.

There were also fewer tooth extraction cases among children who paid regular visits to the dentist.

In another survey carried out on adults, researchers discovered that adults who pay regular visits to the doctor had fewer cases of the missing tooth as against those who visit the dentist only when there’s a problem.

While many factors contribute to good oral hygiene, regular dental visits and checkups are important in preventing gum disease and having healthy teeth.

What To Expect During a Visit to The Dentist?

Visiting the dentist can be pretty overwhelming, and this fear prevents many people from paying a regular visit to the dentist.

Knowing what to expect during a visit to the dentist can help prepare your mind and make things easier. Here’s what to expect during a dental visit:

• The doctor will carry out a thorough examination of your gums, teeth, and mouth
• The doctor will ask questions regarding your health and any oral issues you have had since your last visit
• The dentist will ask questions regarding your diet. He will want to know if you drink or smoke
• Depending on your answer, your dentist will advise you on ways to improve your dental health
• He will recommend treatment for any dental problem observed

Examinations and Treatment

During your routine visit to the dentist, he is likely to carry out the following tests and examinations:

X-Rays

A dental hygienist will examine your record to determine if you are due for an X-ray.

If you are, the dental hygienist will carry out the x-ray. Once the result is out, he will pass it on to the dentist, who reviews them before looking at your mouth.

Polishing and Cleaning

Dental cleaning is beneficial in many ways. The hygienist cleans your mouth using dental tools such as scalers during your visit.

These tools work gently on the gums and teeth to remove tartars and plaques from the gum line and teeth surface.

The hygienist will also polish your teeth with a paste, after which he will floss your teeth using fluoride floss.

If, while flossing and cleaning, your hygienists notice any area that needs more attention during your daily teeth cleaning routine, he will alert you to it.

He may also recommend better ways of flossing and brushing your teeth.

Oral Screening

Your dentist will likely begin examining your gum and teeth after an oral screening. The process involves examining your throat, inside your cheeks, tongue, and other parts of the mouth to check for signs of cancer.

The dentist will also look at your throat and outer jaw for abnormalities.

The first line of defense when treating oral cancer is usually the dentist, as they are likely to spot any abnormality before anyone else.

This is why regular dental checkups are necessary. Oral cancer spreads quickly, thus, early detection and treatment are essential.

Checks for Cavity

Your dentist will also check for cracks, chips, decay, and any other dental issue that needs fixing.

If any problem is detected, the dental hygienists may assist by charting the tooth that needs treatment.

Check On the Progress of a Previous Dental Treatment

Fillings, implants, crowns, and other dental works are not everlasting. Thus, your dentist will check on their condition during your routine visit.

Your dentist will recommend new crowns, bridges, or fillings if required.

Access Gum Health

Beyond checking the condition of any previous dental work, your dentist will also check the condition of your gum and gum lines.

The dentist will check for signs of gingivitis and periodontitis. Your doctor will also check for pockets around the teeth and plaque build-up underneath the gum line.

While gingivitis can be reversed and treated quickly with regular oral cleaning and oral care, periodontitis requires more special treatment from a periodontist.

How Often Should You Visit Your Dentist?

As earlier mentioned, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question. The frequency of visits is dependent on many factors, including:

Biology

Some things about your dental health may likely never change. For instance, if you are easily prone to cavities, there may be nothing you can do to stop it entirely, but you can take extra steps to reduce its occurrence and possibly step them.

Also, if you have a long-standing genetic history of oral dental disease, you will need to pay more regular visits to your dentist.

Attitude

The more concern and dedication you show towards maintaining healthy oral health, the more attention you will pay to your oral habits.

Habits such as regular and proper brushing and flossing, using the right toothpaste, and others will reduce the likelihood of your frequent visit to the dentist as you are sure to have excellent oral health.

Lifestyle

Your lifestyle also determines if you will need to pay regular visits to your dentist or not.

For example, studies have shown that persons who smoke and drink alcohol have three times the chance of developing a dental issue, including tooth loss.

Thus, these people are likely to visit the dentist more often.

Access

The best way to maintain your oral health is by taking preventive measures. However, if you cannot easily access the products and services needed to maintain good oral health, you are more at risk of having dental problems, thereby requiring increased visits to the dentist.

FAQ

What are the symptoms of early dental issues?

You should visit your dentist if you notice any of these symptoms:

• Redness
• Tooth sensitivity
• Swollen gums or face
• Mouth sores
• Jaw pain
• Bleeding gums
• Dry mouth
• Broken teeth
• Bad breath

Do I need to visit a dentist even when my teeth feel fine?

It’s still important to visit a dentist regularly even if your teeth feel fine. This is because there might be problems you are unaware of, but a dentist will be able to identify them.

Also, you can visit the dentist for other services such as teeth whitening, filling, dental implants, dental crowns, bridges, and so on.

Are dental examinations essential?

Yes, dental examinations are necessary as the dentist will be able to spot a problem before it escalates. The early examination helps you save on the cost of treatment.

Are dental visits painful?

Dental visits are completely painless. A routine visit only involves the doctor checking your mouth, gum and teeth to determine if all is in order.

Even if a surgery such as dental implant is required, you will be injected with a local anesthetic which numbs your mouth and prevents you from feeling the pain during the process.