How often should you go to the dentist for a check-up?

After your dentist examines your mouth and determines your overall oral health, he or she will suggest when you should come next time for your regular check-up. The time between dentist check-ups is variable and ranges from a couple of months to a couple of years, mostly depending on the state of your teeth and gums.

Why are regular dental checkups important?

A dental check-up is required so that the dentist can examine your teeth and gums. They look for oral health problems and suggest ways for you to keep your mouth and gums healthy. If you leave the problems untreated then you can potentially face some painful consequences later.

The reason for regular dental checkups is simply based on how quickly dental issues can progress. Young children have teeth that are changing much faster than an adult’s teeth. Their milk teeth are softer and more likely to suffer from decay. And as their adult teeth emerge, the dentist needs to monitor their teeth to ensure problems don’t arise. This is why children and young people need to visit the dentist every 6 months.

However, adult teeth don’t move as much, and adult teeth are harder and more resistant to decay. This means that it would take much longer for issues to arise, particularly if your dentist knows that you are very good at caring for your teeth. In this instance, they might suggest that you only need to visit the dentist every 1-2 years, unless you face an unexpected problem.

What does the dental check-up involve?

At the checkup, your dentist first examines your mouth, teeth, and gums. They will ask you about your overall health and whether you have had any problems with your teeth since your last check-up. The dentist will also provide advice for your diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and how to maintain good teeth-cleaning habits. At the end, they will tell you when you should visit again.

Regarding when you should visit your dentist next time, they will suggest a date. It can be in two or three month’s time or maybe in two years. In general, if you have a low risk of developing dental problems then you will wait longer for your next check-up.

People that have good oral health usually need to go to their dentist once a year. However, those who experience problems need to attend checkups more regularly. Try to stick to your dentist’s schedule as much as possible.

Which conditions require more frequent checkups?

Some conditions need to be monitored more frequently. If you have active gum disease, your dentist might ask you to visit more often, or to combine your dental checkups with dental hygienist visits.

With dental treatments such as teeth cleaning, fillings, taking a tooth out, or some kind of emergency treatment, all these may require more routine check-ups. For example, your dentist might ask you to schedule a follow-up appointment following a tooth extraction. It’s important to attend this follow-up so that your oral health doesn’t suffer.

When should I visit the dentist sooner?

If you are experiencing problems with your teeth, do not wait for your next check-up. Arrange an appointment as soon as you can so that a dentist can attend to the matter quickly. The sooner you address the issue, the sooner you can seek relief from your symptoms. Even if you are due a check up in the next month, always visit the dentist sooner if you are in pain or have noticed things like bleeding or tender gums.

What age should children start to go to regular checkups?

We recommend children start to visit the dentist once their first teeth emerge. They should then attend a checkup every 6-12 months to maintain their oral health. This is essential as children’s teeth are softer than adult teeth and more susceptible to damage from decay. This means that small problems can become much bigger problems much faster than they would for adults.

Regular dental checkups will also help children to develop good oral health habits, including brushing every day. They are also much less likely to develop a fear of the dentist if this is a routine part of their life. They might see the dentist as boring and a bit of a chore, but they won’t see it as scary or something to be avoided. This can help them to keep good habits well into adulthood.

How often should elderly people visit the dentist?

We recommend elderly people continue with their habit of visiting the dentist every 6-12 months, or as often as their dentist suggests. Your oral health requirements will change throughout your life, and your dentist can help you to navigate these changes with ease.

You might be dealing with receding gums, tooth loss, or adjusting to wearing dental restorations such as dentures, implants or crowns. We can help you to navigate this period with confidence, ensuring that your oral health remains a priority.

How often should I visit the dental hygienist?

Alongside regular dental checkups, you can also visit the dental hygienist to further protect your oral health. Regular dental cleanings will help to remove all traces of plaque, tartar, calculus and bacteria.

This is one of the best ways to protect against tooth decay and gum disease. You’ll also enjoy a brighter smile that is free from surface stains and discolouration. This can make it easier to enjoy treatments like teeth whitening, as the solutions will be much more effective on clean teeth.

If you have active gum disease, you may need to visit the dental hygienist more often until this issue is under control.

What if I haven’t been for a checkup for a long time?

We know it can be scary to return to the dentist after a long time away. The important thing to remember is that it’s important to schedule your checkup so you can get your oral health back on track.

There is no judgement for missing checkups or letting your oral health fall behind. The important thing is that you are ready to get things back on track. We provide a friendly and supportive environment that will enable you to prioritise your oral health. You don’t need to give us a reason why you haven’t been for a checkup for a while, we’ll just be happy to see that you’ve decided to resume your checkups.

If you have booked appointments in the past and then missed appointments, this could impact your standing on our patient list. Get in touch with our team to find out if you are still registered as a patient with us and to find out how you can book an appointment.

What if I’m nervous about my appointment?

We treat nervous patients every day, so we would encourage you to get in touch if you are scared about your appointment. We can help you to overcome your fear of the dentist, and this all starts with a routine checkup.

During your checkup, we can explore the cause of your phobia and come up with solutions to help you cope. For example, you might wish to wear headphones during your appointment and listen to relaxing music.

Other patients prefer to be kept informed, so their dentist can tell them what they are doing. We can also come up with hand signals that will let your dentist know you need to take a break.

Will I lose my NHS registration if I don’t go to the dentist?

Yes, dentists will regularly review their patient lists and remove lapsed patients if they fail to attend appointments. This could mean that you are no longer registered with an NHS dentist. This is simply due to exceptional demand for NHS dentists.

Some dentists will also remove you from their lists if you are attending a private dentist. NHS appointments should be reserved for patients who need support to visit the dentist. If you are seeing a private dentist, then you shouldn’t need to access an NHS dentist for checkups.

To find out more about dental check-ups, please get in touch.