Regular dental visits are important because they can help spot dental health problems early on when treatment is likely to be simpler and more affordable. They also help prevent many problems from developing in the first place.
Visiting your dentist regularly is also important because some diseases or medical conditions have symptoms that can appear in the mouth. As a rule of thumb, we recommend a routine dental check-up every 6 to 12 months.
Still, a cookie-cutter approach does not necessarily work for everyone. Some may need to visit a dentist more or less frequently and your dentist will advise how often a check-up is required.
Important things that will be investigated during a dental check-up:
Oral hygiene and diet
The health of teeth, lips, cheeks and gums and risk of tooth decay and gum disease
Signs of tooth wear
Growth and alignment of the teeth and jaws and problems with the bite
Childhood:
We recommend that children have their first dental check by their first birthday. Low-risk children should visit their dentist at least once a year, while other children may need to visit the dentist every 3 to 6 months until their risk of decay has been stabilised.
Timing can be important for correction of bite problems, so regular dental check-ups are crucial during the transition from baby teeth to adult teeth.
Other important things that may be checked:
Infant feeding patterns
Habits such as dummy sucking or thumb sucking
Adolescence:
Adolescence may be a time with greater diet and social risk factors, such as soft drink or alcohol consumption, and smoking. Teenagers may also have poor tooth brushing habits, with around 45% of teenagers brushing their teeth less than twice a day.
Adolescents at low risk of tooth decay should visit their dentist at least once a year, while those at higher risk may need to visit the dentist every 3-6 months until their risk of decay has been stabilised.
Regular dental checks are necessary during early teenage years to see if braces or other bite correction may be required. Adolescents with braces also need regular check-ups with their general dentist to ensure they stay decay-free.
Other important things that may be checked:
Habits such as grinding/clenching the teeth or smoking
Oral piercings
Adults:
Everyone needs routinely monitor the risk of tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancer throughout life. The maintenance and replacement of fillings or other existing dental work will be necessary over time.
Your dentist will also consider the effects of other risk factors such as smoking, diabetes and medications that can influence oral health.
Adults with a very low risk of oral disease may only need to visit a dentist every 1 to 2 years, but those at high risk of gum disease or tooth decay may need to visit the dentist every 3 months. Your dentist will advise how often visits are required.
Other important things that may be checked:
Screening for oral cancer
Need for repair or replacement of fillings or other dental work
Habits such as grinding/clenching the teeth or smoking
Reference: ADA NSW