How often do you visit your dentist?

Be truthful! Do you go along once or twice a year for your regular checkups as recommended, along with your hygiene appointments? Or did you last attend because you had a problem, such as toothache? Alternatively, do you pay your dentist a visit when you’re interested in a cosmetic treatment, such as tooth whitening or straightening? Dare we even ask, can you even remember the last time you visited your dentist?

Why are regular visits to the dentist important?

Whichever camp you fall in, it’s important to understand why regular dental checkups are so important. At the start of your visit, you will first be asked to fill in a medical history form to ensure that we are kept up to date with any changes, including medications you are taking, that could have an impact on your oral health.

During a routine appointment, your Clyde Munro dentist will have a really good look around your entire mouth. An examination is not just about the teeth, it also includes looking at the gums for any signs of gum disease. This is vital because gum disease is the biggest cause of tooth loss, so if we spot it and work with you to treat it early, you shouldn’t suffer any devastating problems in the long term. Dental checkups are designed to spot problems from the outset, whether it’s a crack, the start of decay, or anything else, we want to find it before it causes you pain or escalates into a problem that will cost a lot of money to treat. As with anything, prevention is always better than cure!

There is another vital reason to attend your dental checkups. Your Clyde Munro dentist will also check the soft tissues in and around the mouth, head, and neck to check for any potential signs of oral cancers. This isn’t anything to be scared of or worried about, it’s something we do at every dental checkup because it allows us to work quickly to refer you to a specialist should the need arise.

How often should I visit my dentist?

For starters, your dentist will recommend a frequency based on your individual and unique dental needs. This will take into consideration numerous factors, and may also change depending on your own health needs at that certain time. On the whole, most patients are recommended to visit twice a year; whatever is suggested is done so with your best interests at heart, so do try to attend your dental appointments as often as recommended!

Of course, if you do incur a problem before your next appointment, please don’t feel like you have to wait. Dental trauma such as broken or chipped teeth, toothache, etc. can all cause pain, worry, or concern, but we’ll always try to provide you with an appointment in the shortest possible time frame!

Is it time you booked your next dental checkup? Just contact your nearest Clyde Munro practice (find us using the practice finder here) and our friendly team will be more than happy to book you in- we look forward to seeing you!