How often should you visit your dentist? | Burnaby Dental Studio- family dentist in Burnaby

You may have heard that you should see your dentist every six months for a regular cleaning and checkup. You may a friend that only goes once a year, and your mother may insist on three times a year. So what is the correct amount of visits per year that you should be paying to your dentist?

The truth is, there is no magic number when it comes to how often you see your dentist. Dental cleanings and checkups are great for preventing plaque and tartar buildup from worsening, leading to decay and gum disease. If you are generally healthy and haven’t had many cavities, you may be able to get away with only coming in once a year. People who are more prone to cavities and gum disease may want to come in three times a year as an extra preventative measure. For everyone else, twice a year is usually the rule of thumb.

Another factor that may come into play when deciding how often you go to the dentist may be your insurance plan. Benefits vary greatly from plan to plan, but most providers will cover at least 80% of the cost of a cleaning once a year. When you come in, we can help you understand your benefit plan in order to get the most out of it. At any rate, it’s wise to not let your insurance provider dictate how often you come in. Often times the money you save by skipping a cleaning will be spend many times over when problems arise later on. Things like fillings and root canals are more expensive and invasive than a simple cleaning.

Cleanings and exams are good opportunities to catch potential problems early on. In addition to cavities and gum disease, we screen our patients for signs of oral cancer during each check-up. While cancer may not be something anyone likes to think of, with oral cancer a little bit of preventative care is worth a pound of cure. In fact, oral cancer sufferers have higher chances of recovery from the disease the earlier it is caught.

The frequency at which you schedule dental appointments is ultimately up to you. However, it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with neglecting your oral health. Oral health has been linked to overall health in many studies, so it’s a good idea not to wait too long in between visits. And of course, if you have any immediate concerns or a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to contact us.