How Often Do You Really Need to See the Dentist?

Between work and family commitments, it can be difficult to find time to get to the dentist—especially if you convince yourself everything is fine and you don’t really need to go in. But you don’t want to wait until you’re in pain to make an appointment. Regular dental visits are crucial to keeping your smile healthy and bright.

So, how often do you really need to go to the dentist? Generally, twice a year is enough for prevention and to detect issues early. During these appointments, Dr. Danny Moosa and the team at Parkway Family Dental will complete a comprehensive exam and a thorough cleaning. They’ll let you know what they discover, and what can be done to address small issues before they become much bigger, and more expensive, problems.  

There are also patients who should consider visiting Dr. Moosa’s Polaris, Ohio, based office more often, including those dealing with periodontal disease. Here, we help you determine how often you should visit Dr. Moosa and what to expect during your appointments at Parkway Family Dental.

We’ll See You Every Six Months

If your mouth is generally healthy, visiting Parkway Family Dental twice a year for a cleaning should keep it that way. During these cleanings, the hygienist will remove plaque that’s accumulated since the last visit and look for signs of any issues that need attention, like periodontal disease and cavities.

If cavities found during regular checkups are small enough, you’ll likely be able to address them with improved home care, including more focused brushing and flossing habits and adding prescription fluoride to the routine. If you only get to the dentist once a year or less, decay will have more time to grow and cause damage—meaning you’ll need more involved treatments like fillings or crowns.  

During your checkups, Dr. Moosa and his team will also screen you for oral, head and neck cancers. Finding signs of cancer early is critical, making it well worth the few minutes it takes to complete these screenings.

If you are susceptible to plaque buildup, it may be a good idea to visit Dr. Moosa’s office every four months for a thorough cleaning. Dr. Moosa and his team will talk to you about more frequent visits if they think they will be beneficial, and go over what to expect during these additional appointments.

The bottom line: Going to the dentist at least twice a year offers many benefits. Dr. Moosa and his team can spot and address issues early when they see you regularly, saving you the costs and pain you’ll experience if problems are left to fester.

Patients Who Should Visit Every Three Months

If you’re diagnosed with periodontal disease, Dr. Moosa and his Polaris, Ohio, based team will want to see you more often than just twice a year. Why? To keep your condition from getting worse.

After you undergo non-surgical perio therapy at Parkway Family Dental, you should return every three months for periodontal maintenance. During these appointments, Dr. Moosa will retreat any areas that may have gotten worse.

You also might want to visit Dr. Moosa more regularly if you have a weakened immune system, have diabetes or other chronic conditions, or are pregnant. These are among the conditions that put you at higher risk for dental problems like decay, making regular checkups and treatment crucial to keeping your mouth as healthy as possible.

Diagnosed with dry mouth? This is another reason to up your dental visits. If you’re not producing enough saliva, you’re at an increased risk for developing cavities and gum disease. Extra cleanings at Parkway Family Dental in Polaris, Ohio, will help keep both at bay.

Time Well Spent

It’s easy to come up with reasons not to visit the dentist regularly. Maybe you’re slammed at work or simply feel like your teeth are in good shape, making checkups optional. Problem is, they won’t stay that way without regular cleanings. Plaque buildup can lead to cavities, gum disease and the need for larger, more expensive dental treatments that will force you to take time off work—no matter how busy you are. Prevention and maintenance are key, and that’s what regular dental visits at Parkway Family Dental provide.

Visting Dr. Moosa and the team at Parkway Family Dental at regular intervals will help ensure your mouth stays healthy and that you avoid more involved, costly procedures. Visits typically only take about an hour, and are well worth the time investment.

Dr. Moosa and his team provide comprehensive care, and will educate you about whatever issues they might find and why certain treatment is being recommended. With regular visits, you’ll understand more about your oral condition and what you need to do to stay healthy.

Ready to schedule an appointment with Dr. Moosa and his talented team? Give them a call today!