It is a familiar piece of advice: “Please see the dentist twice a year.” However, for everyone, twice a year is not the magic number. Not necessarily.
The frequency of dental visits depends on the condition of the teeth and gums, oral health history, and personal risk factors. Six-month visits are appropriate for many. Some patients at lower risk may be advised to have visits spaced further apart, while others may need to see their dentist more often.
When it comes to how often you should visit a dentist in Regina, the ideal plan is the one your dentist recommends, depending on what’s going on in your mouth.
Quick Answer
Every six months is a good time for most people to go to the dentist, but it isn’t a one-size-fits-all rule. The Canadian Dental Association recommends that the frequency of dental examinations be based on individual oral-health needs and risk factors. Some patients may require more frequent visits, and some may require less.
Key Takeaways
- The time is usually six months, but it isn’t always.
- Your dentist will make a recommendation based on your own personal risk for cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems.
- Those who have dental issues or are at a higher risk for them may visit more often.
- Your dentist can catch issues you may not be able to see or feel during routine check-ups.
- The frequency of necessary dental care shouldn’t depend on your dental insurance schedule.
So, Where Did the “Every Six Months” Rule Come From?
How many times a year do you have routine checkups at the dentist? How often do you go to the dentist for routine checkups?
The reminder is received. You glance at the calendar. You ask yourself, “How did six months go by so fast? Then you promise yourself that this time you really have been flossing.
For most patients, a dental checkup every six months is still a good time frame. For many, the six-monthly dental check-up is a time when a dentist can catch a small problem early, according to the Canadian Dental Association. It also notes that the frequency of the visits might vary from one patient to another, depending on their oral health status.
Otherwise, six months is a good starting point, not the end date for each set of teeth.
How Does a Regina Dentist Decide How Often You Should Come In?
Your dentist isn’t just measuring time in months since your last visit.
The Canadian Dental Association advises employing a risk-based strategy in determining the frequency of ongoing dental care. Cavity risk, gum health, oral cancer screening requirements, growth and development, condition of your mouth tissues, and medical status are all factors.
Your dentist may also take factors into consideration, such as:
- If you’ve had a lot of cavities
- The condition of your gums is a sign of your oral health.
- How quickly tartar tends to build up
- Your brushing and flossing technique
- Any existing filling, crown, bridge or implants.
- Changes in health status
- Pills that can affect the mouth
- Tobacco use
- New sensitivity, discomfort or other symptom
What matters is that the recommendation is personalized. Two people can be the same age, live in the same house and even use the same toothpaste—and still have completely different dental needs.
Who Might Need to Visit the Dentist More Often?
Some patients can benefit from more frequent appointments than every 6 months.
Your dentist might need to pay extra attention to your teeth if, for instance, you have continuous gum issues, frequent cavities, tartar that builds up often, or another dental disease that requires frequent check-ups. The CDA also recommends that patients determined to be at higher risk of dental disease receive more frequent continuing care.
If a person has recently undergone major dental work, they may also need to have follow-up appointments to ensure that everything is healing or working well.
This doesn’t always mean there is a big problem.
A shorter time frame may just provide your dental team with the chance to get ahead of a problem before it becomes painful or more complex.
Can Some People Go Longer Than Six Months?
Potentially, yes. The CDA’s recommendation is based on individual risk and acknowledges that some lower-risk patients may need to see the dentist less often than higher-risk patients. The recommended interval may even vary over the course of your life.
This does not excuse the fact of missing appointments just because you do not feel any pain. A dentist has the ability to see things that you don’t see.
Dental exams can detect early decay, gum issues, broken dental work, suspicious areas in the mouth, and other problems that may not yet be causing symptoms.
If your dentist feels it is safe for you to spread your visits out, that’s fine. That, of course, should be based on a diagnosis of your mouth, not a guess.
“But My Teeth Don’t Hurt.” Do I Still Need to Go?
Yes, and this is one of the biggest myths of dental care. While pain is a great indicator that something is amiss, it is not necessarily the initial symptom of dental problems.
A dentist will inspect the mouth during an exam for early cavities, gum disease, compromised existing fillings or crowns, changes in the bite, grinding, and abnormal areas in the mouth or throat. Dental X-rays might also be recommended to detect issues that can’t be seen with a visual exam.
Don’t wait until it hurts; that can mean waiting until the problem is more advanced. Consider routine dental check-ups more like routine engine maintenance than a car smokes.
With no motor oil, if possible.
Is a Dental Cleaning the Same Thing as a Dental Exam?
Not quite. They often happen during the same appointment, which is why they are easy to lump together.
Professional cleaning focuses on removing plaque and hardened tartar from your teeth and on helping maintain healthy teeth and gums.
A dental examination is different. The dentist is assessing your oral health and looking for signs of problems involving your teeth, gums, existing dental work, and other areas of your mouth. Your ideal cleaning schedule may also be individualized.
Pasqua South Dental notes that many patients benefit from dental hygiene appointments about every six months, while people with gum disease, significant buildup, or other oral health concerns may be advised to have cleanings more frequently.
Do You Need Dental X-Rays Every Six Months?
No. Just like dental examinations, X-ray frequency should be based on your individual oral health.
According to the Canadian Dental Association, a healthy adult who has not experienced cavities or other significant dental problems for several years may not require X-rays at every appointment. Someone with less stable dental health may need them more frequently so their dentist can monitor changes.
Your dentist should be able to explain why a particular X-ray is being recommended. So if you are curious, ask.
Questions are welcome. Your dentist would probably prefer that over you going home and Googling “why did my dentist take 14 pictures of my skull?”
What Happens During a Regular Dental Exam?
A routine dental visit does considerably more than simply checking whether you brushed that morning. During an examination, your dentist may assess:
- Your teeth for decay or damage
- Your gums for signs of inflammation or periodontal disease
- Existing fillings, crowns and other dental work
- Your bite and tooth positioning
- Signs of clenching or grinding
- Changes to the tongue, cheeks, roof and floor of the mouth
- Areas that may require further investigation
- Your jaw joint and surrounding structures
Your medical history and any changes in your health or medications can also be relevant to your dental care. X-rays may be recommended when they are clinically necessary.
This is one reason regular dental visits matter even when everything seems perfectly normal.
Should Children Visit the Dentist Every Six Months?
Children also need an individualized schedule. The CDA notes that in most cases, a six-month examination allows a child’s dentist to identify small problems early. However, as with adults, the appropriate timing ultimately depends on the child’s needs.
Regular appointments also allow a dentist to monitor changes as baby teeth are lost and permanent teeth emerge. Pasqua South Dental provides children’s dental care in Regina as part of its range of dental services.
What If You Haven’t Been to the Dentist in Years?
First: you are definitely not the only one. People get busy. Dental anxiety happens. Finances change. Sometimes one missed appointment turns into two, and somehow your last cleaning was during an entirely different era of your life.
The important thing is what you do next.
You do not need to wait until you have pain before returning to a dentist. If it has been a long time, book an examination and let the dental team know when your last appointment was and whether you have noticed any changes.
Your dentist can assess your current oral health and recommend what happens from there. No time machine required.
Should Dental Insurance Decide How Often You Go?
Your insurance coverage is useful—but it should not be the person making your healthcare decisions.
The Canadian Dental Association specifically advises that your need for dental care should not be determined solely by what your dental plan covers. Your dentist’s recommendations should be based on your oral-health needs.
For example, your benefit plan might cover a particular service at a set interval, while your dentist may recommend a different schedule based on your risk factors.
If you are unsure about costs or coverage, ask the dental office before your appointment so you understand your options.
What Are Signs You Shouldn’t Wait Until Your Next Regular Appointment?
A six-month recall does not mean you need to wait six months for something to change.
Contact your dentist sooner if you notice something new or concerning, such as persistent tooth sensitivity, changes in your gums, tooth looseness, changes in tooth color or other unusual symptoms. The CDA recommends telling your dentist about changes in your teeth, gums, sensitivity and overall health.
If something suddenly hurts, breaks or just feels wrong, call. That little appointment card saying “see you in November” is not a legally binding contract.
How Often Should You Actually Visit a Dentist?
Here is the simplest answer: As often as your individual oral health requires.
For plenty of people, that will be around every six months. For others, it could be more frequent or less frequent.
The Canadian Dental Association recommends routine examinations and preventive dental care, with the frequency determined by the patient’s individual risk and oral health needs.
So rather than asking, “Does everyone need to see the dentist twice a year?” a better question might be:
“How often should I see my dentist based on my teeth and gums?”
That is a question your dental team can actually answer.
Looking for a Regina Dentist?
If it has been six months, twelve months or—no judgment here—quite a bit longer, it may be a good time to get your next dental visit on the calendar.
Pasqua South Dental provides dental checkups, professional cleanings, restorative care, children’s dentistry and a range of additional dental services at its Regina clinic. The clinic is also currently accepting new patients.
If you’re looking for a Regina dentist, contact Pasqua South Dental to schedule an appointment and find out which dental care schedule makes sense for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go to the dentist once a year if I have healthy teeth?
Possibly. Some lower-risk patients may be advised to have examinations less frequently than every six months. Your dentist should determine the appropriate interval after considering your individual oral health and risk factors.
Do I need a dental exam every time I have my teeth cleaned?
Your examination and cleaning schedules are related but are not necessarily identical. Your dentist and dental hygienist can recommend an appropriate schedule for each based on your needs.
Does brushing and flossing well mean I can visit the dentist less often?
Good home care is extremely important, but it does not replace professional dental examinations. Dentists can identify issues you may not be able to see or feel yourself.
Should I book a dentist appointment if nothing is bothering me?
Yes. Preventive examinations are designed in part to identify concerns before they become obvious or painful. Regular dental care allows your dental team to monitor changes over time.
Can my dental appointment schedule change as I get older?
Yes. The Canadian Dental Association notes that the appropriate frequency of continuing dental care may change throughout a person’s life. Your dentist can adjust your schedule as your oral-health needs change.
