How often should you go to the Dentist?

While there are exceptions to every rule, the gold standard is to visit your richmond dentist for a routine cleaning and check up twice a year. When it comes to dentistry, prevention is less costly than treatment so even if you have great homecare, it is important to visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and x-rays.

Your dentist can identify problems in your x-rays that you may not know exist. For example, if you have a tooth that is developing decay but it has a crown on it, the crown is keeping you from feeling any discomfort which is great, but it is important to catch decay before it is so extensive that the tooth is hopeless and has to be extracted.

Often, by the time you actually feel pain in a tooth, decay has set in and caused more damage than what might have been caught on an x-ray and therefore will require more invasive and more expensive treatment in order to restore the tooth to a healthy state. Just because you do not feel anything wrong, that is no excuse to skip out on regular check ups with your dentist.

Exceptions to the Biannual Rule

Patients who are at a higher risk for periodontal disease should be seen three or four times a year. Patients who have a history of periodontal disease may be advised to alternate their professional cleanings between a periodontist and their general dentist.

If you have diabetes, have a weakened immune system, are pregnant, taking medications that cause dry mouth, or if you smoke, your dentist will probably recommend a more frequent schedule for your cleanings. That being said, your recommended frequency may change over the years. Pregnancy gingivitis is very common and would cause a hygienist to recommend additional cleanings to their patient while they are pregnant and then reduce frequency after delivery.

Your dental professional team is there to provide you with the best care possible! If treatment is recommended, it is best to follow through sooner rather than later. A patient that is diagnosed as needing a crown may think that their tooth is fine because nothing hurts and nothing bothers them so they put it off. They run a higher risk of the tooth fracturing or requiring a root canal if they wait too long. Your dentist will not recommend treatment that you do not need so even if you want a second opinion, it is important to listen to what your dentist tells you and take care of your teeth.

In the event that you do require treatment from a specialist, your dentist will be able to refer you to someone with him they work closely and they trust. Throughout the course of your treatment, your dentist and the specialist you see will communicate with one another and keep each other informed of your treatment.

Home Care

Regardless of how often you visit the dentist, it is important to keep up a good oral hygiene routine. Brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day Will help ensure that your teeth stay clean and healthy between professional cleanings. If you need help or advice with anything, consult your dental professional team, they are there to help!

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