Caring for Your Teeth Like a Pro: How Often Should You Go to the Dentist?

Even those of us who have excellent oral hygiene, and brush and floss their teeth twice a day, need to be proactive when dentist check-up time draws near. Despite taking excellent care of your teeth and gums at home, you should still see your dentist regularly. This is because they are properly trained to look for abnormalities that you may not recognise or sense yourself.

Why Is It Important to Go to the Dentist Regularly?

Many dental disorders, such as cavities, infections, gum disease, and oral cancer, do not become evident or cause discomfort until they are severe, making treatment and follow-up all the more complicated and expensive. Additionally, even if you don’t have any oral health concerns, this can change over time and be influenced by variables such as sickness, dietary changes, new medication use, amongst other factors. So why take the risk with your teeth?

Additionally, did you know that among the most significant factors of overall wellness is your oral well-being? It may seem strange, but what happens in your mouth has an impact on many other regions of your body. While brushing is vital for tooth health, there is no substitute for routine dental visits.

Further, according to studies, just one 1 of every 10 people brushes their teeth correctly. Therefore, your regular dental exam is so essential because it allows your dentist to know more about how you care for your teeth and advise you on best practices. If you’re not flossing enough or brushing improperly, it’s critical that you learn how to complete these tasks to best care for your teeth.

How Often Should Adults Go to the Dentist?

We’re all different, and our routines and habits vary, as well as our oral health. This can also change over time. Therefore, if you’re wondering how often you need to visit your dentist for a little check-up time, it’s best to ask the professional themselves. At your next visit, ask your dentist what he or she believes is an appropriate frequency for having your teeth cleaned and examined.

On average, at our dental practice servicing Beaconsfield and the surrounding suburbs, we tend to recommend twice-yearly for most individuals. Some people though can get by with less frequent visits. On the other hand, there are those who might require more regular visits to keep on top of their oral health. In general, we find that people who are at low risk of cavities or gum problems may only need to visit us once a year. However, people at high risk of dental disease are best off checking in every 3–4 months.

This high-risk group includes:

• Smokers
• Pregnant women
• Diabetic patients
• People that are currently suffering from gum disease
• Individuals having a weakened immunological response to bacterial infection
• People who are prone to tooth decay or plaque build-up

What’s The Ideal Time To Go To The Dentist?

People frequently inquire about the best time to visit their dentist. The fact is that the ideal time is not always when you have dental problems. Even if you have the greatest dental hygiene practices and believe your teeth are in ideal condition, you should still see your dentist on a regular basis.

Similarly, to ensure that you can have a stress-free experience, we recommend that you schedule your appointment at a time when you don’t need to rush off and complete other errands. This helps you visit our dental practice in a more positive mindset, as well as giving you the mental space to focus on your oral health and ask any questions you may have.

What Does a Dental Check-Up Include & How Long Does It Take?

A complete dental check-up includes more than just checking your teeth. Your dentist (or dental hygienist) will look at the condition of your gums, do a comprehensive head and neck examination to search for anything out of the ordinary, and inspect your mouth for any signs of mouth cancer, diabetes or nutrient deficiencies. Don’t be startled if your dentist looks over your cheeks, bite, saliva and lower jaw joint movement as part of the check up.

After that, your dentist or dental hygienist will clean your teeth and emphasise the significance of having excellent oral hygiene at home in between sessions. This is the perfect time to ask what you can do at home to keep your teeth healthy between appointments.

Your dentists will also give any plaque and tartar specific attention. This is due to the fact that plaque and tartar can accumulate in a relatively short period of time if proper oral hygiene is not followed between visits. Soft plaque can quickly solidify on the teeth and aggravate the gum tissue if it is not cleaned. Your dentist will use specific equipment to eliminate tartar during the cleaning. This is known as scaling.

How long this process will take depends on your oral health and if you have any questions or concerns to discuss. On average though, we find that dental check-up times range from 15 minutes to 60 minutes. Of course, a great way you can ensure that you have a shorter appointment is to take good care of your teeth at home.

Book Your Appointment Today at Langmore Dental

Don’t put off your check up — come visit us at Langmore Dental today! Our caring dental practice is staffed with friendly professionals, and provides excellent oral health care to patients throughout Beaconsfield, Narre Warren and the surrounding areas. Call today to make your dentist appointment and prioritise your oral health.