We’ve all heard that you should visit the dentist twice a year for optimal oral health, but that isn’t necessarily always true.
The truth is, your ideal number of dental visits is as unique as you are. At Lewis Estates Dental Centre, we don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we take a comprehensive view of your overall health. After all, the first step to figuring out how many times you should see your dental team per year depends on you and your health.
In this blog post, we’ll share some ways you can figure out when to phone, text, or email us for your next checkup.
How Many Times a Year Should Adults Visit the Dentist?
For a long time, "twice a year" was the gold standard, but the world of dentistry has evolved! Today, the Canadian Dental Association recommends a personalized approach, moving away from rigid six-month intervals.
This means your dental exam frequency is now tailored specifically to you, your lifestyle, your overall health, and more. So, when it comes to how many times you should see the dentist per year, remember it's about what’s best for your health, not a universal number.
Learn more about the link between your oral and overall health on our blog: Oral and Overall Health.
What is the Standard Dental Cleaning Schedule in Canada?
For most adults in Canada with good oral health, the standard dental cleaning schedule is two visits per year. These visits typically include professional cleanings – a crucial part of your oral health maintenance strategy! They also include important health checkups like cancer screenings, gum health tests, and more.
These appointments are your secret weapon for keeping your teeth and gums healthy and catching any potential issues long before they become bigger problems. Think of it as a proactive step to a lasting, bright smile and your overall health and wellbeing!
How Age Determines How Often You Need Dental Care
Did you know: your age plays a significant role in how often you need dental checkups?
As we age, our bodies (including our teeth and mouths!) undergo changes. Aging can mean gum recession (our gums pulling back from our teeth), increased tooth sensitivity, a higher risk of cavities, and dry mouth, which can all put us at risk of poor oral health. Not to mention years of eating and drinking can put some wear and tear on our teeth!
Seniors need to visit the dentist more than younger, healthy adults and children. Don’t skip your dental visits and listen to your dental professional’s recommendation for how often we should return.
Understanding these oral health changes as we age is the first step to maintaining a healthy mouth and teeth for as long as we need them. Also, maintaining a beautiful, vibrant smile at every stage is a great bonus!
How Often Should Seniors Visit The Dentist?
If you're a senior, you might find that you benefit from more frequent dental appointments. This can even sometimes mean three to four times annually, surpassing the “two visits per year” recommendation. However, based on a 2022 study, over 1 in 4 seniors in Canada hadn’t seen a dentist in the year prior to the survey. Why is that?
When seniors retire, they often have to say goodbye to their benefits plans, so dental visits can be a tougher pill to swallow. However, by skipping appointments, seniors are at a higher risk of developing poor oral and dental health, which contributes to poor general health, and can actually cause long-term health consequences in the long run (not to mention it may cost a lot more $$!).
If you’re a senior, try to commit to your oral and dental health by keeping to your checkup schedule recommended by your dentist. It could save you a significant amount of money (and health!) in the long run.
Medical Conditions That Require More Frequent Dental Visits
At Lewis Estates Dental Centre, we believe that your oral health is directly connected to your overall health. Specific medical conditions can increase your oral health risks, and poor oral health can bring you issues in other areas of the body. This makes keeping your dental appointments on schedule can affect more than just your mouth!
Here are some examples of medical conditions that may mean more frequent visits:
- Diabetes can increase your risk for gum disease and lower your body’s ability to fight off infections. It can also cause a dry mouth, inhibiting your saliva (which is your mouth’s way of killing off bacteria).
- Heart disease can be made worse if you have poor oral health if bacteria from gum disease enters your bloodstream through infected gums.
- Autoimmune disorders can cause dry mouth, mouth sores, gum disease, and more.
- Cancer treatments can cause dry mouth, can lower your body’s ability to fight off infections, and can drain you of energy, making it easier to skip brushing and flossing.
If you have any health conditions or concerns, we’ll work with you to tailor a plan that accommodates your unique needs based on your health. Book your appointment now in West Edmonton to get started.
How Often Should Diabetics Visit The Dentist?
For our patients managing diabetes, we often recommend dental hygiene visits every three to four months and dental check-ups two times per year.
Being diabetic can mean you suffer from infections easier than the average healthy adult. Diabetes can slow down healing, meaning any mouth sores or minor cuts can easily turn into serious infections. Also, having high blood sugar as a diabetic can result in increased glucose in your saliva. Extra glucose in your mouth feeds bad bacteria and helps it thrive, causing a host of dental issues like cavities, infections, bad breath, and more.
Proactive diabetic dental care, including regular deep cleanings and proper management of blood sugar, is crucial for preventing serious issues like diabetes-related gum disease.
Signs You Need to Visit The Dentist More Frequently
Your mouth often sends subtle (or not-so-subtle!) signals when it needs more attention. There are clear dental warning signs and oral health symptoms that indicate you might need to increase your dental visit frequency.
These can range from obvious red flags like:
- Bleeding gums
- Persistent tooth pain
- Mouth ulcers or abscesses
To more subtle clues such as:
- Persistent bad breath
- Heightened tooth sensitivity
- Metallic taste in the mouth
Paying attention to these signals and scheduling regular dental appointments can prevent minor concerns from escalating into major problems.
Gum Disease
If you're dealing with periodontal disease (gum disease), your dental cleaning schedule will likely include quarterly dental visits for maintenance therapy. These regular oral health maintenance visits are important because untreated gum disease can lead to serious health complications far beyond your mouth. These include increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even cancer.
Consistent preventive dental care frequency is essential for effective gum disease treatment and keeping your smile, and your body, healthy.
At Lewis Estates Dental Centre, we’re here to help you take control of your oral health. We believe in a holistic view of your overall health, and that good oral health contributes to your overall well-being! We offer preventive dental measures and a variety of dental care services at our West Edmonton clinic. Book your appointment today!
What Happens During Regular Oral Health Checkups
Curious about what goes on during your regular oral health checkups? At Lewis Estates Dental Centre, you can expect a comprehensive preventive dental appointment. This includes a thorough dental exam, a professional dental cleaning, state-of-the-art digital dental X-rays, and oral cancer screenings.
These components work in harmony to maintain your optimal oral health and catch any potential issues as early as possible – often before you even notice them. For more details, explore our Dental Check-ups service page.
How Professional Cleanings Prevent Future Problems
Think your at-home brushing is enough? We hate to burst your bubble, but at-home brushing can’t make up for a professional cleaning at the dentist.
Professional dental cleanings offer specific, powerful benefits that simply can't be achieved with home care alone. These sessions involve tartar, plaque, and biofilm removal, which are non-negotiable for long-term oral health (and something your toothbrush alone can’t accomplish!). Plus, fluoride treatments provide an extra layer of protection, keeping your mouth clean and healthy in a way your mouthwash can’t.
To learn more about why these visits are so important, read our blog post Why You Need Regular Dental Check-ups. You can also find more information on our Teeth Cleaning service page.
Special Cases That Change Your Dental Visit Schedule
We get it. Life throws curveballs, and sometimes those curveballs impact your dental cleaning schedule!
There are several special dental circumstances that might require a modified dental visit frequency. These unique situations, which can temporarily or permanently alter your ideal schedule, include:
- Pregnancy: If you’re suffering from extreme nausea, or can’t lie down comfortably, the dentist may drop down your priority list. We will always try to accommodate you, but we understand if you need to take a break from your scheduled dental checkup during this time period. We’ll be happy to see you (and your baby!) post-pregnancy - our clinic is family-friendly!
- Orthodontics: If you have braces or removable aligners, you’ll want to increase your dental visits. As braces can increase the difficulties of keeping your teeth clean by trapping food and tartar, we recommend coming in for more frequent hygiene visits.
- Post-surgery: If you’re recovering from a significant surgery, and mobility is a concern, we want you to focus on recovery and come see us when you’re feeling better!
Each of these cases is an example of how we at Lewis Estates Dental Centre believe in a tailored approach to ensure your continued oral health. One-size-fits-all doesn’t work when it comes to your cleaning schedule!
Do People With Dentures Still Need Regular Checkups?
Your dentures may not be “real” teeth, but you should still have them cleaned and checked regularly!
Dental care is incredibly important when you are missing some or all of your teeth. Dentures can harbour bacteria, even if you’re diligent about your at-home cleaning and maintenance. Ongoing oral health maintenance visits are vital for your remaining teeth, mouth, for necessary denture adjustments, and for regular oral cancer screening. A proper, regular prosthetic dental maintenance schedule ensures that your dentures will last a long time, giving you a bright, vibrant smile.
So, how often should you visit the dentist? The truth is, dental checkups truly depend on you – your individual health factors, your age, and your lifestyle. It’s not about following a “rule”, but about listening to your dental professional’s recommendations and your personalized plan. It’s important to find a dentist you can trust, who can help you determine the best checkup schedule for your unique needs.
At Lewis Estates Dental Centre, we are passionately committed to aligning your dental care with our holistic approach to oral health and overall wellness, ensuring you receive the specific attention your smile deserves. We are proud to be your Family Dentist in Edmonton. Ready to work with us on improving your dental and overall health? Book your next check-up at Lewis Estates Dental Centre and let's create your personalized oral health game plan!