How Often Should You Visit Your Dentist?

People are unaware of how often they should visit a dentist. In reality, most go for a dental check-up only after experiencing pain or bleeding in their gums. To avoid such oral complications, you must visit a dental clinic according to the advice of your dentist, as they know the type of oral problem you have and what general dental services are required to solve it. But some people often neglect their dentist’s appointments and are more susceptible to developing teeth and gum problems that can ruin their oral health. Dentists in Perth often recommend having a dental check-up every six months or as required according to your oral needs. Hence, it is strongly advised not to miss your dentist’s appointments to maintain your pearly white smile forever.  

Now, let’s move on to the common questions everyone has regarding their oral health.  

Dentist check-ups for children

Children often don’t clean their teeth properly. They always show tantrums while brushing and flossing, which results in cavities and other gum problems. Also, they consume high amounts of sugar in the form of candies, soda pop, cakes, etc., making them prone to oral health problems. According to Australia’s National Oral Health Plan, children must have their first dental check-up before age two. So, it is strongly advised that parents take their children to dental clinics frequently to steer clear of oral health problems and ensure good oral hygiene in their kids at a young age. 

Adults Vs Dental check-ups 

When you become an adult, one crucial responsibility of yours is to take care of your body, including your mouth. Their lifestyle habits include things that are detrimental to their teeth and gums. Especially for those who smoke and drink alcohol regularly, and eat fast foods high in sugar can increase their chance of having a cavity or gingivitis. Let alone these problems, having frequent dental check-ups can help dentists to look for any possible signs of plaque problems, periodontitis or oral cancer in its early stages. Whether you are an adult or a kid, visiting a dentist can help you maintain strong and healthy pearly whites. 

Dental x-rays: How frequently should they be done? 

Dental x-rays are something your dentists might recommend to you during oral health examinations. Everyone needs to get a dental x-ray to inspect damage between teeth and inside the gums, i.e. to detect any bone decay. Several reasons cause bone decay in jawbones. Some of them are listed below: 

1. Gum disease
2. Tooth extraction
3. Loose dentures or bridgework
4. Misaligned teeth structure
5. Accidents or traumas

Above mentioned points are some of the reasons that cause bone decay which often goes unnoticed if you don’t get a proper dental x-ray and check-up from your dentists. As per observation, dental x-rays produce negligible radiation, but pregnant women and small children must still avoid it. However, the dentist recommends getting a dental x-ray only when necessary. Therefore, if you plan to book an appointment for an oral health assessment, the best dentists in Perth usually practice at Alpha Dental.  

At Alpha Dental, we provide the best oral healthcare services with our team of excellent dentists and nurses, who strive to deliver the utmost care to patients and resolve dental problems with long-term solutions. Our clinic provides all types of general dental services and is equipped with modern instruments that offer accurate results for tests and surgeries. 

How frequently do Australians visit the dentist? 

Regarding Australia, surveys state that only 50%-55% of Australians visit a dentist in a year, among which 75% include kids between ages 5-12 and 25% have young adults from the 13-17 age group. Most of the older population gets frequent oral examinations as they tend to have more dental problems because of their age. But studies show that frequently visiting your dentist can decrease your chances of developing oral health problems. In case of oral cancer or other serious issues, regular appointments can detect them in the early stages and can be treatable.  

When should you visit a dentist? 

Well, the answer to this question varies among individuals. Because every human is different, and so is their lifestyle, it is difficult to deduce the number of dental visits one should make each year. Generally, dentists advise making an appointment every six months, but if not possible, at least once a year is necessary to keep oral problems at bay. But if you have any existing dental problems, then increasing the number of dental check-ups might be crucial. Ultimately, your dentist will decide how frequently you visit them to get an oral examination, depending on every individual’s particular needs. If you think regular brushing and flossing can keep your teeth healthy, you’re mistaken because hardened plaque can only be removed using professional tools at a clinic. Plaque and tartar can also develop at hard-to-reach places in your mouth and eventually cause cavities because brushing and flossing alone cannot suffice oral prophylaxis performed at a dentist’s clinic. Lastly, if you want to care for your teeth and gums, visit your dentist at least once a year or every six months to ensure good oral hygiene and early detection of underlying oral problems.