The answer to this question isn’t as straightforward as “once a year,” and it depends on your individual oral health needs and risks. For most people, it’s recommended that you see a dentist for a cleaning and an exam every six months. These appointments are important because they give your dentist a chance to check for early signs of dental issues like cavities and gum disease before they become serious problems that can be expensive to treat. Keep reading this article for more reasons you need to visit the dentist.

For the most part, dental problems don’t cause any pain or discomfort in the early stages. This is especially true for problems like tooth decay and gum disease. As these problems progress, however, they can start causing symptoms like pain when biting or hot or cold foods, bad breath, gums that bleed when brushing, and food lodged between teeth. If these issues aren’t addressed right away, they can eventually lead to tooth loss or gum disease, both of which can have serious implications for your overall health.

Routine dental visits are the best way to catch these early warning signs of dental problems and take care of them before they worsen. During your dental appointment, your dentist will use X-rays and an examination of your mouth to look for the beginnings of cavities or other signs of decay in the soft tissue (gingiva) surrounding the roots of your teeth. They will also check for gum disease and assess the health of your jawbone, looking for any areas where the bone is deteriorating or have become exposed due to periodontitis.

If your dentist finds any signs of tooth decay or gum disease, they’ll likely recommend a treatment plan to address them as soon as possible. This may include fillings for small cavities or crowns for more extensive damage. They’ll also offer advice for improving your at-home oral hygiene routine and how to prevent future problems.

There are a lot of reasons why patients don’t go to the dentist regularly, from anxiety about pain and cost to simply not making time in their busy schedules. But by understanding what a routine dental appointment looks like, it can be easier to put aside any concerns and get back on track with your oral health.

If it’s been a while since your last dental appointment, be sure to schedule an end-of-day visit so you won’t have to rush through the day and risk missing your appointment. It’s also a good idea to ask how long your dentist’s cleaning and exam normally takes, so you can plan accordingly and leave plenty of time to get there. And don’t forget to bring a book or something else to keep you entertained while you wait!