dentist appoint at 11:00For some, the dentist can be a terrifying experience. As such, some of us avoid our regular checkups to escape these unpleasant feelings—but this isn’t the best option.

Regular trips to the dentist are essential to improve your oral health, but how often do you need to go?

If you’re pondering the question “how do I know when it’s time to pay my dentist a visit?” you’re in luck. We’re going to answer that exact question here.

Six Month Mark

Let’s get one thing straight—there’s no concrete set of rules that tells you how often you should visit the dentist.

Some are comfortable going ages without a checkup, while others feel the need to visit every few months. It all hinges on your personal preference and attitude (and brushing skills!).

However, the general consensus is half a year. Many professionals agree that six months is an optimal time between visits to catch any issues.

Perhaps there’s a new cavity that’s coming up, or maybe your gums are more sensitive than usual. Visiting twice a year helps to isolate the problems without piling them all together for later.

Here’s the thing: oral care is as much your concern as your doctor’s. Think to yourself, “What would my dentist advise?” and act accordingly. If you don’t know, ask about the issue on your next visit so you know for sure.

There’s No Definitive Evidence

Despite the often mentioned half-year mark, there’s no proof that this frequency of checkups lessens oral issues. It all depends on the individual, not unlike other health-related problems. Visits to a dentist won’t always save you from cavities, but they will help you spot them sooner.

There’s no need to be upset and wave off the checkups entirely, though. Even if there’s no surefire way to avoid oral problems, professional help should not be abandoned.

If we take a look at the statistic from Australia, more than half (55%) of surveyed adults visited a dentist within a year. Making sure you get professional cleanings with this level of regularity can help you catch problems early while they’re still easy to treat.

My Dentist Knows Best

If you’re still wondering “do I need to visit as often as my dentist suggests?” remember this: your dentist is the expert. No matter how well you take care of your teeth, there’s no way you can patch up a cavity by yourself when it happens.

Putting off an appointment can result in further issues down the road. If you hold onto the idea that you only need to visit once a year or less, it’ll be harder on both of you. You might suffer needlessly, and the dentist will have a harder time helping you—it truly is a lose-lose scenario.

So, if your dentist tells you it’s best to revisit them in three months, you should do it.

Do you have any other questions relating to oral care? If so, why not contact us? We’ll gladly assist you with all your inquiries.