How Often Should I Have a Dental Exam
Visiting your dentist at least twice a year is one of the best ways to maintain your oral health. Preventing dental problems is easier, less costly, and less painful than treating them.
More than contributing to good oral health, dental exams can help keep your whole body healthy and spot some serious health problems early on.
Depending on your age and risk group, you may have to visit your dentist more often. Read on to find out more.
Healthy Adults: Dental Exam 2 Times a Year
According to dental literature, seeing your dentist twice a year may be enough if you’re a healthy adult. However, it’s important to consult with your dentist.
A personalized approach to dental checkups provides the best results in the long term. Depending on your oral health, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits if necessary.
Children: Dental Exam 2 Times a Year
If you have a child, it’s best to take him or her to the dentist for a checkup in their first year, as soon as their teeth appear.
This checkup is important not only for them but for you as a parent since your dentist can provide you with useful information about your child’s dental care.
After that, you can take your kids for checkups twice a year, or in some special circumstances, more often according to your dentist’s recommendations.
High-Risk Adults: Dental Exam Several Times a Year
If you smoke, have diabetes, or have certain genes linked to oral health problems, it’s a good idea to see your dentist more often. Frequent checkups will enable your dentist to spot and treat early on tooth damage, gum wounds, or lesions.
At the same time, they can keep an eye out for the early signs of oral cancer and other serious conditions. Smoking can also increase the time needed to heal after dental procedures, which may call for more checkups.
More Than Oral Health
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is a good reason to visit your dentist regularly. As we’ve seen, your dentist can spot early the first signs of potentially life-threatening conditions.
At the same time, poor oral health increases the risk for respiratory infections, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, infertility, prostate problems, and other health problems.
Regular checkups can also help you keep dental costs in check by addressing problems before they worsen. Last but not least, they can brighten your smile if opt for a teeth whitening treatment.
Possible topics you can discuss with your dentist during regular checkups include:
- Dental fillings and sealants
- Fluoride treatments
- Dental veneers
- Teeth whitening
- Implants
- Dental crowns and bridges
- Gum disease prevention
The Bottom Line
In the end, how often you should see your dentist depends on your oral health, dental history, risk category, age, and other circumstances.
Rather than following general advice on this, it’s best to schedule a checkup and talk with your dentist about it. He or she will be in the best position to recommend how often you should return for checkups. They can also highlight problem areas you need to focus on to reduce the need for checkups.
A personalized checkup schedule will help you maximize results while saving time and reducing long-term dental costs. It will enable you to stay on top of any incipient dental problems while also taking preventative steps for reducing potential risks.
So, don’t be on the fence about it. Schedule an appointment with your dentist if you haven’t lately. More than a way to keep your teeth healthy, it’s a long-term investment in your health. Not just that of your mouth, but of your entire body. It can have a positive effect on your confidence and mental well-being as well.
Contact Lawrence Park Dental
If you have any questions, regarding a Dental Exam, please contact call us at 416-488-7454 or use our convenient contact form. Dr. Queiroz and the team at Lawrence Park Dental will be more than happy to assist you.
