Everyone knows they should visit the dentist regularly. It’s common sense! But most people don’t know exactly how often they should go. So what’s the right answer?
Every Six Months
The correct answer is: twice a year! That’s right—it’s best to see your dentist every six months for a semi-annual cleaning. It’s only natural to put off scheduling medical and dentist appointments since they’re not exactly a fun part of our everyday lives, but those regular appointments are extremely important in keeping you healthy.
Your Semi-Annual Dental Check-up
You might have never thought about it before, but a dental check-up is so much more than just a cleaning. Think about all the important things your dentist will do for you during this time. There are three main parts to a routine visit:
Teeth Cleaning
A dental hygienist will scrape plaque off your teeth, floss your teeth, and polish them to make sure your mouth is squeaky clean.
Dental Exam
Your dentist will look carefully at your mouth to make sure there are no problems or changes from your last checkup. If they do find something, this is when they will make a note of it for future treatment, if needed.
Dental X-Rays
Sometimes your dentist will determine that X-rays are necessary. These will be used when your dentist cannot completely see part of your mouth or part of a tooth, for example, if they think there might be a cavity between two teeth, or if they think your wisdom teeth are growing in but haven’t broken the surface yet.
In Between Routine Visits
While it’s very important to see your dentist every six months, there are common-sense things you can do every day to improve your own dental health. Remember, the more preventive measures you take today, the fewer problems you’ll have in the future.
Always make sure to:
- Brush twice a day.
- Floss before bed.
- Use a mouthwash after flossing to protect your teeth.
- Limit soda and juice as the sugar can damage your teeth.
- Limit snacking between meals because food particles may get stuck and won’t be brushed away immediately.
- Make sure you’re getting enough fluoride, either from your tap water, a toothpaste, or a mouthwash.
Seeing your dentist twice a year is an important part of maintaining your dental health, but don’t let the twice a year rule stop you from seeing the dentist more often if you need to. If you’re experiencing oral pain or discomfort, you need to see a dentist ASAP. To make an appointment today, contact the Arlington Dental Center team.
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