Is Visiting the Dentist Twice a Year Necessary?
Oral health care has seen many advances, as we have many new tools and products to help us keep our teeth clean better than ever before. We have toothpaste that fights cavities and remineralizes tooth enamel, and high-tech toothbrushes that utilize phone apps to determine how well we are brushing our teeth.
With all of this, are two visits a year still needed?
The answer to this question is yes, you still need to visit your dentist twice per year. The reason for this is that your dental visits do more than just clean your teeth.
Your dental visits also do the following:
- Gives your dentist the ability to check for any health issues that you may not feel or see (remember that gum disease is typically “silent”).
- Gives your dentist the ability to identify other potential health issues like oral cancer, gum disease, and more! Remember, the earlier a problem is identified, the easier it is to treat!
- Gives your dentist the ability to identify tooth decay while it is just minor. Tooth decay is not visible or painful until more advanced.
With all of the above being said, the two weeks recommendation is a general one, and may not be the best fit for everyone.
If you take great pride in your dental hygiene and have healthy teeth and gums, it may be possible to go longer in-between visits your visits. However, if you think this is the case for you, you should still check with the dentist first.
On the other end of the dental health spectrum, if you struggle with oral hygiene, suffer from gingivitis, you should consider scheduling visits more often than twice per year. Three appointments a year is especially helpful for those who suffer from gum disease, as keeping gum pockets clear is necessary to prevent it from getting worse.
If you have any questions about your schedule, get in touch with us to find out what best fits your health needs.
