How often should you have a dental check-up? The most common answer is six months, but it’s a little more complicated than that.
Maintaining good oral health is about more than just a bright, white smile, as it plays a crucial role in your overall health and well-being. However, many people are unsure about how often they should visit their dentist, which may be made harder by the current shortage of NHS dentists and appointments.
Is it really necessary to visit your dentist every six months, or can you wait for longer if your teeth are in good health? In this article, we’ll answer this question in detail, exploring the various factors that influence how often you should schedule your dental check-ups, as well as the importance of regular dental visits.
If you’ve been attending your dentist as advised and you think they may have acted negligently towards you, you may be eligible for a dental negligence claim. Please contact our dedicated team on 0800 152 2032 or request a callback to start your claim today.
Why Are Dental Check-Ups So Important?
Why is going to the dentist so important?
Recent government studies show that around one in five UK adults visit their dentist less than once every two years, which can be extremely damaging to your oral health – particularly if you develop a serious condition such as oral cancer.
We know how challenging it can be to find a new NHS dentist at the moment. However, even securing a spot on a waiting list can be a proactive measure for preventing tooth decay and maintaining good oral health.
Even if you brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly, you should still attend your routine examinations, enabling your dentist to diagnose and treat any dental issues that may arise. Depending on the condition, it may be easily treatable (such as gingivitis, the early stages of gum disease), or more easily treated when caught early, such as oral cancer.
Sometimes, your dentist may also carry out cleaning treatments to remove plaque, tartar and calculus, which can reduce the risk of tooth decay. Once you’ve visited your dentist, you should also follow any aftercare advice given, which should include information about when your next check-up will be.
The Consequences of Missing Dental Appointments
Dental check-ups are crucial for your dental health, so there could be consequences if you miss your appointments. Leaving problems untreated can lead to further health issues developing, as well as pain and tooth loss.
Many people have dental phobias or a ‘fear of the dentist’, which can make it difficult to attend these appointments. Nervous patients with dental phobias can find attending the dentist difficult, but not doing so may mean more procedures or longer dental surgeries later on in life.
Seeing your dentist regularly is advisable if you start to experience issues with your oral health. If you have missed your routine checkup appointments for a certain period of time, your dentist may not be able to fit you into their list, which may make it harder to find a new dentist, so this is also something of which you need to be aware. If you require emergency dental care, you should still be able to source an NHS appointment – even if you’re not registered with anyone at the time.
So how often should you attend the dentist for regular checks? A recent trial across the UK by INTERVAL suggests that having a dental appointment at a standard frequency of every six months was. The results indicate that having risk-based checkups or appointment times based on the needs of the individual could be of equal benefit to having a consultation every six months. This means that it may be worth speaking to your dentist directly to see what bespoke frequency of check-ups they recommend for your teeth and oral health.
Who Needs More Frequent Dental Appointments?
Whilst not everyone needs to have a dental visit every six months, there are several groups of people who might need to see a dental professional that often, or even more frequently. For example, young children have teeth that change much faster than those of an adult (as well as being more susceptible to tooth decay), so regular check-ups with smaller intervals will likely be advised for children.
Other people who may need to attend dental appointments at more frequent intervals are:
- The elderly
- Smokers
- Pregnant women
- People with gum disease
- Diabetics
- People who are prone to cavities and plaque build-up
If you need to figure out how often you should go to your local dental surgery, you should speak to your dentist to see what they suggest for your situation.
What Happens at a Dental Check-Up?
If you’ve not had a clinical examination for a while, it’s natural to feel some anxiety about your check-up. Every examination is different, but a check-up appointment will usually include these steps:
- You should be asked a series of questions about your overall health and any other dental issues or changes you’ve noticed since your last appointment
- Your dentist will complete an examination of your teeth, gums, and also your oral soft tissues including tongue, lips and cheek lining to make sure that all are healthy
- In some cases, x-rays may be required to ensure everything is examined properly
- If you have a small amount of plaque or tartar, your dentist may also conduct a brief teeth cleaning procedure, which may save you a trip to the dental hygienist
- Your dentist should ask about and give you advice for your oral health based on your diet, lifestyle, any smoking and alcohol preferences and your teeth-cleaning habits. They may also book another appointment for you if further treatment is required.
If further dental treatment is required (for example, if you require fillings), this work will usually be carried out at your next appointment, rather than at your check-up.
Our Key Takeaways on Dental Check-Ups
Staying on top of your dental health is incredibly important, helping you to prevent minor oral health issues from becoming major problems.
While the exact frequency of your dental appointments will depend on your unique needs and requirements, having a regular conversation with your dentist can help you set a schedule that keeps your teeth and gums in the best possible shape. You may not need to visit your dentist every six months, but it is advisable to speak to your dentist first to see what they advise for your situation.
If you’ve recently had dental treatment carried out and you suspect your dentist may have acted negligently, you could be eligible to open a dental negligence claim.
To start your claim, please speak to a member of our expert team and we’ll see if we can help you.