How often should you visit the dentist?

Was Your Last Visit to the Dentist Last Year?

At the end of the year or more like 12 months ago now? When are you due for your next check-up?

You’ve probably heard that most dentists recommend six-monthly check-ups. Chances are you’ve thought: “well, I can probably let that slide out for a few extra months”.

We can’t make you come in to see us, but we can give you some good reasons why visiting the dentist twice a year is good advice for most people.

Having said that, everyone is different, which is why having a good relationship with a dentist you trust is the best starting point.

Regular Dental Visits Help the Dentist Help You

Keep in mind that we, as dentists, aren’t only here to fix problems after they arise. Our main goal is, in fact, healthy teeth and gums. If you have no cavities, no weaknesses in tooth enamel, and no gum disease, that’s a big win for you and us!

By visiting your dentist regularly, he or she can monitor the condition of your teeth and gums. For example, if we notice a minor issue – such as a spot where your gums are beginning to recede – we can offer early management to stop it getting worse.

We often have people saying: “I wish I had come to you sooner”. Don’t be one of those people. You might be pleasantly surprised at the improvements we can make, especially if we get onto a problem early.

There’s No Clean Like a Professional Clean

Even if you are the world’s best tooth brusher and flosser, there will still be plaque building up on your teeth. It will be less plaque than someone who isn’t as diligent with their oral hygiene, but it will still be there.

Plaque becomes tartar which, over time, contributes to tooth decay and discoloration, and gum disease.

The special tools and techniques that dentists use help ensure that the build-up of tartar on your teeth doesn’t get too bad, thereby reducing your risk of cavities and gum disease.

At Middleborough Dental Care we use a “no pain EMS scaler” for cleaning teeth. This wonderful piece of equipment detects the hardness of tartar and adjusts the pressure accordingly. With a warm-water flush, we do our best to make your scale-and-clean experience as comfortable as possible.

Additional Visits

Even if you do visit the dentist every six months, like clockwork, that’s no guarantee that you’ll be trouble free.

You might still experience tooth sensitivity or sudden pain, or even damage a tooth or weaken the enamel through a “chewing mishap” or accident.

Don’t put off diagnosis and treatment until your next scheduled visit, even if that’s not too far away. Make an appointment as soon as a problem arises, as the sooner it’s looked at, the more likely that the treatment will be simple and effective.

Get Into Good Habits Early

Visiting the dentist regularly is one of the best lifelong habits you can develop and, while it’s never too late to start, it’s a great idea to get kids started early.

By getting your kids used to visiting the dentist, sitting in the chair, and getting a thorough oral exam, you help them become more comfortable with the entire process. A few easy, trouble-free check-ups (or, hopefully, many years’ worth of them), will make sure a child doesn’t see a visit to the dentist as a scary, potentially traumatic experience.

Many children also accept good tooth-care messages much more readily from a dental professional than they do from a parent. At Middleborough Dental Care we reward children who visit regularly with a small gift to encourage them to maintain healthy teeth.

Are you overdue for a check-up? Give us a call today and make a booking.