According to one study, 42% of people admit they’d like to go to the dentist more often than they do.
So if they want to go more often than they do, what’s stopping them from going?
In this article, we’ll discuss this topic, and we’ll also discuss how often you should go for dentist appointments.
As you know, going to the dentist is essential, and this guide can help you learn several vital things about dental visits.
The Importance of Dental Visits
Before learning how often you should visit a dentist, you might want to brush up on the importance of routine dental visits. Why do you need to go to a dentist often? What are the benefits of routine visits?
Here are some highlights that emphasize the importance of dental visits:
They Include Teeth Cleanings
When you go for a dentist checkup, the dentist or hygienist will clean your teeth. During this procedure, they remove the plaque and tartar from your teeth, leaving them cleaner and at a lower risk for developing cavities.
They Reduce Your Risk for Problems
Getting the plaque removed from your teeth lowers your risk of cavities forming. It also reduces the risk of developing gum disease and other oral issues.
Dentists Can Spot All the Small Issues
During a checkup, your dentist will carefully examine your teeth and mouth and will also take x-rays to get a closer look. From these steps, your dentist can find every small issue you have.
Finding the small issues allows the dentist to treat the problems before they develop into major issues.
Your Dentist Can Teach You Things
Routine visits also provide a chance for you to learn things. Your dentist can you teach you how to brush your teeth more effectively and what products to use each day. Learning these things can help you have a healthier mouth.
You Can Build a Relationship With Your Dentist
Finally, going to the dentist regularly offers a way for you to build a relationship with your dentist. If you ever run into tooth issues, having a relationship with your dentist can help you fix the issues a lot easier.
Reasons People Don’t Go as Often as They Should
Next, you might wonder what stops people from going to the dentist. If almost half the population wants to see a dentist more often than they do, why don’t they go?
People skip dental visits for many reasons, including the costs. For example, you might think, “I have no dental insurance.” Therefore, you might skip visits because you don’t want to pay for the services.
Having no insurance is a common reason for not going, but it’s not the only reason. Some people avoid dental visits out of fear. If you’ve had a bad experience at a dental clinic, you might not want to go back.
People also avoid going sometimes because they don’t want to know about the problems they have.
The question, though, is how often should you go to the dentist? Should you skip dental visits for these reasons? Is going to the dentist really that important?
The Frequency of General Dentist Appointments
Learning about the importance of dental visits is a great way to encourage you to go, but what is the suggested dental visit frequency? In other words, how often should you go?
Most people should visit a dentist every six months for routine checkups. Going every six months is the dental appointment frequency most dentists recommend, as going twice a year is usually sufficient.
If you have health issues or ongoing oral problems, your dentist might recommend more frequent visits. For example, a person with gum disease might need to get their teeth cleaned every three months.
People who smoke or use other tobacco products might also need more frequent visits. Additionally, pregnant women might also need to go more often, as pregnancy increases a woman’s risk of developing gingivitis.
If you’re healthy and living without any oral issues, you can likely benefit from going twice a year to a dental clinic. If you do this, you’ll reap the benefits listed above.
Going twice a year can help you save money on dental bills, too. If you can protect your teeth through dental visits, you can avoid costly dental bills for cavity removals, crowns, root canals, and other dental procedures.
Other Reasons to Go to the Dentist
Going twice a year is the best way to care for your teeth, but you might also experience other situations that cause you to need dental care.
For example, what happens when you develop a bad toothache? Should you ignore it or go to the dentist? When this happens, you can contact your dentist to find out if you should schedule an appointment.
In most, cases, dentists will recommend coming in when toothaches develop. If you have a toothache, it indicates a problem with a tooth, and your dentist will need to examine the tooth to diagnose the problem.
Your dentist can provide the necessary treatment for the tooth after diagnosing the problem.
You might also need to go to a dentist if you crack or chip a tooth. When something like this happens, dentists consider it a dental emergency.
You shouldn’t ignore a cracked or chipped tooth, as the tooth could develop an infection if you don’t treat it. So, learning when to go the dentist for other purposes is just as important as going for routine six-month checkups.
Prioritize Your Teeth By Visiting a Dental Clinic Regularly
As you think about your teeth, you might decide that you want to start going to dentist appointments regularly. Going regularly is a great way to care for your mouth, gums, and teeth, and you’ll be glad you made this decision.
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