How Often Should I Visit My Dentist For A Check Up?
Most people understand that it is vital to visit your dentist and hygienist on a regular basis
. The dentist does not only check for any cavities in the teeth but looks at the mouth as a whole.
One of the most important reasons for a dental check up is to check regularly for any signs of oral cancer, especially if the patient is a smoker or drinks quite a lot of alcohol. Another reason (but not so much nowadays) is that older people used to chew tobacco. This was a disgusting habit which is now thankfully dying out.
When you visit your dentist for a check up he or she will check for any signs of dental caries, any broken or leaky fillings, erosion of the enamel of the teeth caused by sugary and fizzy drinks or through vomiting excessively, any redness or puffiness of the gums and will also check if there are any pockets around the teeth that may need further treatment with the hygienist.
The hygienists job is to clean around the teeth and under the gums where an ordinary toothbrush cannot reach. The hygienist will also help you to manage your oral hygiene by giving you hints and tips to improve the health of your mouth. If you do not remove plaque and tartar on a daily basis with brushing and flossing and do not see the hygienist regularly, then the bacteria will build up in your mouth. It will lead to sore, bleeding, puffy gums, bad breath and if left untreated can cause problems with the heart as the bacteria will enter the bloodstream.
There is no hard and fast rule as to how often you should have a dental check up with your dentist. It can vary from three months up to two years. Your dentist will recommend how often he will need to see you. If you have a lot of problems then he will need to see you at shorter intervals. If you visit the hygienist at least twice a year then he may only want to see you once a year himself. It is very rare that a dentist will only want to see you at two yearly intervals.