How Often Should You See the Dentist?

Seeing your Sunshine Coast dentist regularly can help prevent avoidable but serious health issues like tooth decay and periodontitis. Despite the necessity of regular dental checkups, many Australians choose to see their dentists as little as possible, usually only making appointments to treat issues that have arisen rather than as a preventative measure.

While visiting your dentist can be stressful, if not downright fear-inducing for some, regularly seeing your dentist is as important to your overall health as exercise and a good diet. However, the number of times you should see your dentist varies and is unique to your oral health requirements.

When Should You Visit the Dentist?

Although the general twice-yearly dental checkup is a good rule of thumb to base the frequency of your visits to the dentist, certain individuals may need to see the dentist more regularly. It depends on your oral hygiene, daily habits, and any medical conditions you may have. People with a higher risk of dental disease will need to visit their dentist on the Sunshine Coast more frequently. This includes:

• People that smoke
• Diabetics
• Pregnant women
• People with gum disease
• People with a low or weak immune system
• People prone to plaque build-up or cavities

If you practice good habits, such as avoiding tobacco, brushing your teeth every day, or flossing regularly, you may find that seeing the dentist once or twice a year is more than sufficient. Once a year is the absolute minimum, however, regardless of oral hygiene. This is because your dentist will be able to spot potential dental health risks before they become real problems. 

Why Going to the Dentist is Important

Even if you brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly, you should still see your dentist on a regular basis. Their training and experience makes it possible for them to identify any potential oral health issues. Some oral health issues, like tooth decay and gum disease, aren’t always easy to spot yourself before they become painful or problematic. 

Dentists and dental health specialists can even identify oral cancer, and serious conditions like this are more easily treated when caught early. Regular visits to your dentist not only prevent oral health conditions, but also save you from experiencing pain, discomfort, and from potentially having to spend hundreds of dollars on treatments and care. 

All-on-4 implants are the most cost-effective way to replace an entire upper or lower set of teeth, they are often the best choice for patients who are on a budget. And since they require less surgery than replacing many individual teeth, they may be a good choice for patients who are anxious about dental procedures.

Reduce Visits to the Dentist with Good Oral Hygiene

There are several things that you can do to keep your mouth, gums, and teeth healthy, and make visits to the dentist less frequent. It’s important to remember that, while practicing good oral hygiene benefits you, some conditions may still manifest that require a dentist’s experience and care. 

Reduce your visits to the dentist and keep your mouth healthy by:

• Brushing your teeth at least twice a day
• Floss regularly
• Avoid harmful substances like tobacco, alcohol, or drugs
• Maintain a healthy diet

Visit the Best Dentist on the Sunshine Coast

Buderim Dental, based in Buderim on the Dentist Sunshine Coast, is a well-known family dental clinic with a large team of dental health specialists. With a wealth of knowledge and experience across the board, Buderim Dental is one of the best dental practices on the Sunshine Coast. 

Visit their clinic for a dental checkup, preventative care, or for one of their specialized services, including teeth whitening and children’s dentistry. Contact them to make your appointment today!