At All About Braces, we know that dental care is important for your overall health and well-being. Even if you work hard to take excellent care of your teeth and gums at home, you still need to see a dentist regularly. This is because there are certain problems that you cannot see or feel and some things that just can't be addressed with brushing alone. Under normal circumstances, most children and adults should see their dentist for a regular check up and thorough cleaning once every six months. Additionally, some people have certain risk factors that require that they see their dentist more than twice a year. Risk factors for oral disease include smoking, alcohol abuse, pregnancy, diabetes, poor oral hygiene, and certain medical conditions. Also, if you have a history of periodontal or gum disease you should talk with your dentist and discuss if you need to be seen more often.
In addition to keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy, going to the dentist on a regular schedule can also detect problems early, such as cavities, gum disease, and even cancer. If your dentist does detect a problem, he or she will be able to address it at a much earlier stage and as a result most likely have far more successful treatment results.