Why should you visit your dentist regularly?

Is it really that important for me to see my dentist more than twice a year? The answer may be a resounding “yes.” “The ‘see your dentist twice a year’ campaign was created in the 1929 as a radio advertisement for Pepsodent Toothpaste,” says Dr. Denine Rice from her Riverside Periodontal Surgery and Implant Practice. While that is a good start, it may not be often enough and this is one of the times you really want to listen to your dentist’s recommendation.

Dentists make recommendations for returning based upon a number of factors:

1.     Ortho: When patients have braces their teeth become more difficult for them to keep clean. This can lead to unsightly staining once the braces are removed. More frequent visits = a better outcome.

2.     Decay Activity: For some, dental decay may play a role in why more frequent visits are recommended. “Generally the young and the older populations are more susceptible to decay,” Dr. Rice says. Young people may have more challenges with getting their entire mouth clean and older adults many times become more decay active due to the effects of recession. 

3.     Periodontal Concerns: The numbers vary but there is no doubt that a significant portion of the adult population has periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is most frequently known for causing bone loss which leads to tooth loss and finally to a deterioration of the level of nutrition one may be able to get.

When your dentist or Periodontist makes the recommendation to be seen more frequently, by all means ask why. Then, informed, be sure to keep the recommended schedule.