It’s been at least several months since you’ve been to the dentist. And you feel like it’s time to return.
Good thinking. Research shows that just 25% of a recent survey’s respondents saw visiting the dentist as being an important step in detecting oral cancer. But the reality is, going to the dentist is necessary to protect yourself against oral cancer as well as to maintain your overall health.
The question is, how often should you go to the dentist?
Here’s a rundown on how often you should be seeing the dentist in 2022 and beyond.
Let’s get started!
How Often Should You Go to the Dentist?
As a general rule of thumb, you should go to the dentist every six months to undergo an oral examination and a dental cleaning.
Many dental insurers cover two oral checkups each year. The benefit of going to your family dentist twice yearly is that it allows your dentist to catch problems while they are still minor and thus affordable to address. These problems range from dental caries, or cavities, to gum disease.
Additional Considerations
The majority of patients don’t need to see the dentist more than twice a year if they practice good dental hygiene. However, some exceptions do exist.
For instance, your dentist might request that you see them more frequently if you are a smoker. That’s because using tobacco may lead to gum disease. In addition, when you smoke, this makes it more difficult for your mouth to heal after you’ve undergone oral surgery or other dental procedures.
You might also be asked to see your dentist more regularly if you are diabetic. Why? Because diabetes may also contribute to oral health issues, like gum problems.
Cancer patients may likewise benefit from seeing the dentist more than two times per year. That’s because some cancer medication may dry out your mouth. This makes you more likely to suffer from dental health conditions down the road.
Finally, you might need to go to the dentist more often if you are pregnant. This is because pregnant women experience fluctuating hormones. This can put them at a higher risk of developing cavities and gum disease.
Tap into the Benefits of Going to the Dentist This Year
Going to the dentist is an essential step in your preventative oral health care. The earlier you detect and treat oral problems, the less costly those problems will be to fix. Plus, the less time you’ll have to spend at the dentist addressing them.
On top of this, your dental care team can determine how well you’re brushing and flossing at home. And they can show you how your current oral health care condition is impacting your health overall.
Consider the abovementioned answer to the question “How often should you go to the dentist” to keep your teeth in tip-top shape long term.
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