Always putting off that trip to the dentist? Can’t remember when you last saw the dental hygienist? It might not be the most attractive idea however booking in an appointment on a regular basis with your Adelaide orthodontist or dentist could save you money, time and considerable pain by ensuring you keep your teeth healthy and avoid expensive procedures.

How often should you visit the dentist?

It’s good to be aware that cavities and gum disease are preventable. This means that YOU can do something about them and hopefully stop them occurring. However, you do need to ensure that you visit your dentist at least twice a year. This is only a general rule and you may receive other advice when you visit your dentist as they’ll be able to see the situation with your teeth and may ask you to visit more regularly.

The amount of times you need to visit the dentist each year may increase if you fall into any of the categories below:

• Smoker
• Pregnant women
• Diabetics
• People with a history of gum disease or a tendency to get cavities
• People with weak immune systems

Do you need to visit if you don’t have a problem?

Yes. It’s really important that you go to the dentist regularly, whether or not you’re experiencing problems with your teeth. Even those who diligently floss, clean and brush their teeth every night can still get problems and need dental help. Just because you can’t feel anything, it doesn’t mean your teeth and gums are healthy – a dentist will be able to take an extensive look at all areas of your mouth and spot early signs of anything more serious developing. Treating dental problems at an early stage often saves huge amounts of time and money.

How about the dental hygienist?

Your dental hygienist will generally be the one to advise how often you visit. It’s always beneficial to keep your teeth clean and avoid any potential for plaque to build up or decay to occur.

Many dental issues including gum disease can hugely benefit from regular cleaning so don’t see the dental hygienist as a luxury, rather essential maintenance to keep your dental hygiene in tip top condition by finding a local dentist to check your teeth. We recommend osp.dental as a great provider of all these items.