How Often Should You Get a Dental Check-Up?

No matter how you feel about your oral health, it's important to visit the dentist regularly. The general recommendation is to go at least once a year for a check-up, although some evidence suggests that people with a low risk of dental disease can wait up to 18 to 24 months. It's often said that you should go twice a year, so this is a good rule of thumb to follow. However, if you want to know exactly how often you need to have a dental check-up, you need to consider your mouth, hygiene habits, and overall wellbeing.

We all know that going to the dentist is important, but how often should you go? The basic rule of thumb is that you should visit the dentist every six months. Studies have shown that people without any problems can go once a year, while those with dental issues should have a check-up every 3 to 4 months. Here are some guidelines to help you determine how often you should get your teeth checked.

Why the Team Conducted This Cochrane Review

Getting check-ups every six months could help keep your mouth healthy and prevent dental problems in the future, but it could also lead to unnecessary dental treatments.

Preventive measures are great for maintaining oral hygiene, but if you don't have easy access to the products and services you need for your oral health, you're more likely to need frequent dental check-ups. If you have children, it's essential to take them to the dentist on a regular basis so they understand the importance of good dental hygiene. Lead author Patrick Fee explains: “This research is valuable considering the significant impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on dental services around the world, since it limits patient access to dental treatment.”

Periodontal Maintenance

Periodontal maintenance is a periodontal cleaning that can be performed by a dental hygienist or periodontist. Studies show that patients who get regular dental cleanings and adult dental check-ups are more likely to have healthier bones and gums and keep their teeth much longer.

In 1977, Aubrey Sheiham, professor of dental public health at University College London, published an article in The Lancet regretting the lack of evidence on biannual reviews. If you're a healthy patient who doesn't need any dental treatments, you can only book dental cleanings for your six months on the market. Knowing what will happen during the dental check-up can make it easier to schedule an appointment and sit in that recliner. The more comfortable they feel from an early age, the more likely they are to maintain good dental habits in adulthood.