Taking good care of your dental health is extremely important. This means visiting the dentist for regular exams and professional cleanings (recare exams). However, you may be wondering, how often should you see your dentist? This actually depends on your current hygiene habits, medical conditions and other factors.
Generally it is recommended that most people see a dentist once every six months. Join us as we discuss the details of what occurs at the regular exam appointments and the benefits this appointment provides.
Why You Need Dental Exams and Cleanings Regularly
Every person can benefit from regular dental exams. At this visit, your dentist identifies dental issues you may have and can address them before the problem becomes more severe and expensive to restore.
For example, it is a lot easier and less expensive to restore a small cavity than to perform a root canal and crown. Additionally, the dentist and dental hygienist can highlight any areas that need attention to improve your oral health.
What Takes Place At A Recare Exam
At the exam, the dentist will thoroughly check your mouth, teeth and gums. This will include taking the necessary x-rays, a screening for oral cancer, evaluating the health of your gums, checking for cavities, evaluating the current condition of any dental work you’ve had done in the past, and a professional cleaning.
Reasons You May Need More Frequent Dental Exams
Even though the typical person should go for a dental exam every 6 months, there are reasons why you may need to visit your dentist more frequently. If you have more advanced gum disease more frequent cleanings are indicated. Pregnant women may need to see their dentist more frequently since pregnancy causes changes in hormones which can increase the risk of developing gum disease and cavities. Some restorations attached to implants will also benefit from more frequent cleanings.
If you have certain diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease or a family history of oral disease, then it may be recommended that you see your dentist more frequently.
Benefits Of Regular Exams & Cleanings
When you go to a dental exam, the dentist or dental hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth. This will remove stains, plaque and tartar that you can’t remove yourself with a toothbrush. This will go a long way in preventing cavities and give you a brighter smile. These visits will also help prevent serious dental problems from developing.
Wrap Up
As you can see, regular dental exams are an essential part of maintaining your dental health and overall health. Be sure to visit us at http://dixondentalcenter.com/appointment-request to set up an appointment for your dental checkup.