Visit your Dentist as Often as Needed!

When it comes to our smiles. Americans tend to strive for straight, white, and clean teeth. But going back about 50 years ago, this high standard of dental care was not necessarily a priority. With constant breakthroughs in technology and research, guidelines for what constitutes a healthy mouth continue to improve. One of the most significant standards to arise in the past few decades is the recommendation to schedule regular dental appointments. Maintaining consistent visits to your dentist has shown not only to increase good hygiene practices, but to serve as a way for dentists to stay ahead of any dental problems that may occur between appointments.

When Do I See My Dentist?

To keep Americans on track to improving their dental hygiene, the dental and health organization decided to suggest an official guideline encouraging individuals to visit their dentist more frequently. At first, the standard was more of a guess, with little evidence to support the claim. However, after years of extensive research on the topic, participants of this organization hit the nail on the head with this recommendation! The American Dental Association states that patients should see their dentist for oral checkups at least twice a year. Some patients will require more, but for the majority of individuals, two times a year for a cleaning and general evaluation is acceptable. Attending yearly checkups helps to decrease the chance of tooth decay, gum disease, and other serious conditions, by focusing on prevention of dental problems rather than primarily on the treatment.

What If I Have No Issues?

Some patients who keep up with their daily oral hygiene routines at home may have minimal dental problems to examine during their annual appointments- this does not mean these appointments are any less important. Dental issues can progress quickly if not monitored. Even if you have no current dental concerns, continuing to attend your annual dental checkups is essential in maintaining the future of your healthy mouth.

What Makes A Patient High Risk?

Generally, most patients who have excellent oral health and hygiene regimens will have no reason to increase annual visits more than one to two times a year. However, patients who are considered high-risk may need to schedule more than the recommended twice a year visit to address increasing concerns. High-risk individuals are identified as patients who have already contracted a dental condition or disease, have medical diagnosis increasing the chance of dental issues, or who participate in lifestyle choices that increase the chance of developing decay and diseases. Examples of high-risk patient groups include:

• Patients who are pregnant
• Patients who use tobacco
• Patients with heavy plaque build up or cavities
• Patients diagnosed with diabetes
• Patients whose immune systems respond poorly to bacterial infections

If you fit into any of the following high-risk groups, make sure to keep in close contact with your dentist about recommendations for increased visits. Proper oral hygiene is extremely important to your overall health and well being. Don’t neglect your mouth- visit your dentist consistently!