How Often Should You Go To The Dentist? (What The Evidence Actually Says)

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Family & cosmetic dentist · Family Cosmetic Dentistry, Weston, FL · ADA member

Dr. Ramos has cared for families for more than 25 years. Here she explains how she decides how often each patient should come in.

“Do I really need to come every six months?” I hear this question almost every week, and it is a fair one. My honest answer: many healthy adults do well with a checkup every six to twelve months, and some patients need to come more often. The right interval depends on your mouth, not on the calendar.

In this article I explain what the research says, how I set a schedule for each patient at our family dentist office in Weston, and when I ask someone to come back sooner.

What the research says about the six-month checkup

The six-month visit is a long habit in American dentistry, and most dental plans are built around it. The evidence is more flexible. In 2020, a Cochrane review compared six-month checkups with checkups set by each patient’s risk. For adults, it found little to no difference in tooth decay, gum disease or quality of life, and it found that longer intervals of up to 24 months may not harm those outcomes. For children and teenagers, the evidence was not strong enough to give firm guidance.

That does not mean “skip the dentist.” It means a good dentist should look at your history and set the schedule with you, instead of using one rule for everyone.

How I set your schedule

At your first visit I look at four things: how many cavities you have had in the last few years, the health of your gums, your medical history, and your habits at home. Then I tell you what I recommend and why. You will never get a lecture from me; I would rather give you a plan you can keep.

Who should come more often

I usually ask these patients to come every three or four months, at least for a while:

People with a history of gum disease or who recently had a deep cleaning.
Patients who keep getting new cavities, or who have dry mouth from medications.
People with diabetes, because gum health and blood sugar affect each other.
Smokers and vapers.
Patients wearing braces or aligners, because food and plaque hide around them.
Anyone with a lot of crowns, bridges or implants that we want to watch closely.

Who may be fine with a longer interval

Adults with healthy gums, no new cavities for several years and good home care may be able to come once a year. I still like to see children every six months, because their teeth and habits change quickly and the research for kids is less clear.

What happens at a checkup

A visit with us includes an exam of your teeth, gums, bite and the soft tissues of your mouth, including an oral cancer screening; a professional cleaning; and X-rays only when your situation calls for them. You can read the details on our dental checkups and X-rays page. For children we also talk about sealants for the back teeth.

What skipping visits can cost you

The problems I see most often after a long gap are not dramatic at first: a small cavity that became a large one, or early gum inflammation that became bone loss. A small cavity is usually a simple filling. Left alone, the same tooth may need a root canal and a crown. That is why, even when I agree to a longer interval, I ask patients to call me the moment something feels different.

What I tell my patients

Come in, let me look, and we will decide together. New patients can start with a full exam and full-mouth X-rays for $99, and that visit is how I build your schedule. If you do not have insurance, our in-office discount plan covers two exams and two cleanings a year. You can request an appointment online or call (954) 659-9669. Hablamos español.

Questions my patients ask

Is once a year enough for a healthy adult?

It can be, if your gums are healthy and you have had no new cavities for several years. The 2020 Cochrane review found that longer intervals of up to 24 months may not harm healthy adults. I decide this with each patient after an exam.

How often should children see the dentist?

I see children every six months. Their teeth and habits change quickly, and the research on longer intervals for children is not strong enough yet to change that.

Does insurance only pay for two visits a year?

Many dental plans cover two preventive visits a year, but coverage varies. If I recommend visits every three or four months for gum disease, we check your benefits with you before scheduling.

What if I have not been to the dentist in years?

You are welcome here, and there is no judgment. We start with a full exam and X-rays, then I explain what I see and what can wait.

Sources

Related care: checkups and X-rays, preventive dental care and oral evaluations, or visit our dentist in Weston, FL 33326. Ready to come in? Request an appointment.

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