How Often Do You Need To Go To The Dentist?
How often you need to attend a dental check-up varies from person to person, but there are some general timeframes. Today, our dentist team based near Marylebone explain more about them in today’s post, as well as answer some other common questions about dentistry.
Do I need to book an appointment when I sign up to a dentist?
You’ll always need to schedule an appointment when you first join a dental practice, so your dentist can assess the health of your mouth, teeth and gums. This is known as a new patient check-up. From there, your dentist might recommend booking for additional treatments (for example, cosmetic teeth whitening or braces), and will also give you an idea of how often you need to visit the hygienist for a general clean and check.
When will I need to book dental appointments?
It depends on the health of your smile – and lots of factors (such as age, lifestyle and dental routine) can have an effect on this. Generally speaking:
- Most adults with healthy teeth are recommended to have a check-up each year
- However, sometimes your dentist might recommend a couple of checks per year
- Children need two checks per year minimum, starting when teeth first emerge
- Children and adults with dental concerns may require checks every 3-4 months
Of course, this only applies to standard checks, and not specialist work like crowns.
How do I encourage my children to visit the dentist?
Lots of children – and adults, too – can be afraid of the dentist. Sometimes, this is because of a negative experience in the past. Other times, it’s just because the environment feels unfamiliar. And, some people don’t like the uncertainty of going to the dentists, especially if they know they are neglecting their smile.
To ease any worries, it’s important to remember that your dentist is firstly there to help, and secondly wants to keep you comfortable during your treatment. This may involve talking you through a treatment or showing you dental tools that might be used, or in extreme cases, a dental sedative can be used. Children can often be distracted during a trip to the dentist’s with a toy or music.
What happens during my dental check-up?
Your dentist will look over your mouth, teeth and gums, ask about any problems you may have had and give general advice on lifestyle factors (such as diet, smoking and alcohol). They can also give tips and advice about what teeth-cleaning products to use at home, and how to use them. Finally, they’ll discuss a date for your next visit.
Who do I speak to when booking an appointment?
You can get in touch with our friendly reception team in Marylebone. Visit the link here for details.