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Key Points
- Regular dental appointments are crucial for preventative care, with the CDC advising a cleaning every six months to maintain oral health and prevent serious dental issues.
- Unplanned dental visits may be necessary if you experience symptoms like tooth pain, bleeding gums, or sensitivity to hot and cold, or if a previous dental procedure requires repair.
- Children should start seeing a pediatric dentist when their first tooth appears and continue with regular visits every six months. Pediatric dentists may also perform specific childhood procedures like sealants to prevent cavities.
- Certain medical conditions and habits, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and smoking, can increase the risk of oral complications, necessitating more frequent dental visits.
- Overall, dental health is closely linked to general health, and regular dentist visits and awareness of dental conditions are key to maintaining good health.
Your teeth are a dynamic part of your body and need consistent care – part of that care is making sure you’re visiting the dentist. But what are the guidelines around how often you should go to the dentist?
Routine Appointments
Regular dentist appointments focus on preventative care. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 1 in 4 adults have untreated tooth decay. Routine dentist appointments – typically a teeth cleaning every six months – will keep teeth healthy and help prevent more serious dental issues.
If you have dental insurance, be sure to review it. There may be rules about how often you can or need to regularly visit the dentist in order to receive full benefits.
Unplanned Dentist Appointments
Typically teeth should feel strong and healthy. If you experience pain, don’t ignore it. Pain can be a sign of a greater problem – get it checked out as soon as possible.
Be on the lookout for symptoms such as pain or bleeding in your gums, hot and cold sensitivity, or sudden toothache.
Sometimes you’ll need to go to the dentist to fix a previous procedure. If a crown breaks or filling comes out, call your dentist. Many offices can squeeze in a same-day emergency appointment.
Pediatric Dental Health
Kids should visit a pediatric dentist for their dental care. Pediatric dentists receive additional training during dental school. They focus on treating infants through adolescents.
It’s recommended that infants begin seeing a pediatric dentist when their first tooth appears. From there, children should typically visit the dentist every six months for regular cleanings.
Kids may also need a dentist appointment for specific childhood procedures – for example sealants. This simple procedure seals the surface of a tooth and helps prevent cavities.
It’s especially important to develop good dental habits in childhood – the benefits can last a lifetime.
Medical Conditions Affecting Dental Health
Certain diseases cause a higher risk for tooth and gum complications. These include diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. In these cases, you may need to go to the dentist more frequently.
Smoking also increases the risk of tooth and mouth disease – smokers can develop gum issues and oral cancer. Let your dentist know about any medical conditions or habits that could affect your dental health.
Remember – dental health is very connected to your overall greater health. Taking regular trips to the dentist and being aware of dental conditions keeps you on track for staying healthy.
Related Dental FAQs
Frequently asked questions
How often should I visit the dentist for routine appointments?
Typically, you should visit the dentist for a routine appointment, such as a teeth cleaning, every six months.What is the importance of regular dentist appointments?
Regular dentist appointments focus on preventative care and help to keep teeth healthy and prevent more serious dental issues.What should I do if I experience tooth pain?
If you experience tooth pain, it's important to get it checked out as soon as possible as it can be a sign of a greater problem.What are some symptoms that might indicate I need an unplanned dentist appointment?
Symptoms such as pain or bleeding in your gums, hot and cold sensitivity, or sudden toothache might indicate that you need an unplanned dentist appointment.When should children start visiting the dentist?
It’s recommended that infants begin seeing a pediatric dentist when their first tooth appears.How often should children visit the dentist?
From their first tooth appearance, children should typically visit the dentist every six months for regular cleanings.How can certain medical conditions affect dental health?
Certain diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer can cause a higher risk for tooth and gum complications, necessitating more frequent dentist visits.How does smoking affect dental health?
Smoking increases the risk of tooth and mouth disease – smokers can develop gum issues and oral cancer, so it's important to let your dentist know if you smoke.
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