Tuesday, September 24, 2013

How often should you go to the dentist?

Most dentists are reluctant to stray from recommending a six-month checkup schedule. There is good reason for this, for example: In pediatrics I have witnessed in a child an undetectable cavity progress to a cavity large enough to nearly expose the nerve of the tooth in just six months. Had they elected to return on a one-year checkup schedule the child would have had an abscess and an emergency before the check up was accomplished. Pre-cancerous lesions can show up at a six-month checkup and be treated appropriately. If the check up interval is 12 months, that lesion can be frank cancer with a very different treatment outlook.

The dentist looks at a large number of factors for a patient when determining his approach for care. This includes: history of cavities. Risk level of new cavities. Diet patterns that will affect teeth and other mouth tissues. Existing diseases like diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Current medications which will affect oral conditions. Existing history of typical changes that occur at current check up intervals. Habits and lifestyle patterns like smoking, Drinking, coffee, etc.



All these things impact our risk of developing an oral health problem. The six month check up has stood the test of time. Departing from that routine should be done only with careful thought. Having said all that, I do have some healthy patients for whom I recommend a 12 month checkup interval.

Your dentist is looking at a lot of factors that influence your dental health. Let him advise you about an appropriate interval time for your checkups.

1 comment:

  1. When was the last time you went to the dentist?

    A high percentage of people ignore the importance of visiting the dentist, forgetting that healthy teeth are part of health, like any other part of the body. Many times these visits are not given by multiple causes such as the high costs of consultations, the panic that causes many people, or simply because they imagine that, not feeling any discomfort in their teeth, should not go to the dentist, Although the Lafayette dentist advise to make these visits, at least, 2 or 3 times a year, since they not only focus on locating simple cavities, which are the most common reason for visiting the dentist in many people, but rather They also worry about knowing if there is oral cancer, gingivitis or periodontitis.

    As for children, it is also important to take them periodically to consult with the dentist from 2 years of age, to teach them the care they should have with their teeth.

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