You are not alone if you are wondering how often you should have a dental exam. Many people wonder whether these need to happen every six months or less often than that. You need to have a regular dental exam to see that issues are treated before worsening. Keep reading to find out more about how often you should get a dental exam and why it is important.
Those who have a higher risk of cavities or gum disease should meet with a dentist for an exam every three months. Those who are currently getting dental treatments also need to have exams this often. However, others might be at a lower risk for gum disease and cavities. These people might not need as many exams if they can keep up with oral care.
Those who are in good oral health should go to the dentist every year to six months. Some dentists might recommend patients to visit every six months. That way, the initial signs of any issues can be identified quickly. With a yearly X-ray, the dentist can get diagnostic information. This helps the dentist to better understand the patient’s health.
It is important to diagnose oral health issues early on. That way, these issues will not become worse and become painful or costly to repair. The six-month appointment should not be considered to be a hassle. Instead, it is a chance for dentists to look for issues that are still minor. That way, the dentist can highlight any issues before they get worse. For instance, untreated gum disease can result in permanent tooth loss.
It is better to avoid waiting longer than a year to visit the dentist. The patient risks letting plaque harden to calculus and attaching to the tooth. Removing calculus is vital to prevent it from going below the gumline. Flossing and brushing can only do so much. It can cause cavities to develop or let the gums become inflamed or infected.
If the plaque remains, it can cause early gum disease. The good news is that by visiting the dentist every six months, patients can prevent this outcome. Regular visits let the dentist look at the neck, throat, and face for signs of oral cancer. This is impossible to do at home since most people do not know what to look for. Those who have higher risks of this condition might need more frequent evaluations for cancer.
It is better to visit the dentist more than you think you should than to be sorry. If your gums and teeth are not healthy, go every three to six months. If the teeth are healthy, you should make an appointment every six months. Even if you cannot make this appointment, you should not let it go longer than a year. Making an appointment today will help you take charge of your oral health.
Request an appointment here: https://www.rscottsmithdds.com or call R. Scott Smith DDS at (714) 332-4737 for an appointment in our Orange office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Exam in Orange, CA.
Not flossing regularly can increase the risk of developing oral health concerns, such as dental cavities and periodontal disease, so a general dentist encourages patients to floss several times a day and stick to a consistent oral care schedule to reduce the risk of oral health complications in the future. Flossing is essential to good oral…
It is usually hard to determine the precise cause of TMJ disorder. Issues affecting the temporomandibular joint may originate from different potential causes, and ascertaining the right cause can help determine the course of treatment. Jaw injury is a common cause of TMJ disorder, but the condition does not develop immediately after the injury; in…
Adjusting to new dentures is a familiar feeling to the 36 million Americans that have no teeth, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). Dentures allow those Americans to eat and speak normally when they have lost their natural teeth to age, gum disease, or dental trauma. Unfortunately, even the best dentures are expected to…
Clear aligners are growing to be a popular teeth-straightening treatment option. They offer benefits that other teeth straightening treatments do not. However, as with all teeth-straightening options comes the question of how long the process will actually take. Individuals who are considering their options often use the timeline of treatment as a deciding factor, and…
A jaw injury can cause TMJ disorder, but early intervention can help prevent the condition…
Though you may not like adjusting to new dentures, your old ones will not last…
Clear aligners are custom-created transparent trays that fit over the top or bottom arch of…
A periodontist can provide gum recession treatments to minimize discomfort and prevent it from progressing…
Laser dentistry is a relatively young concept that can target diseased soft tissue and improve…
The basics of tooth extraction aftercare focus on protecting the extraction site and encouraging proper…
