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You may be wondering how often is the right frequency for seeing your dentist. In fact, many people do not see a dentist at all until they experience persistent tooth pain, which usually indicates a cavity or gum disease.

You may be surprised at just how preventive in nature regular dental visits are – and how imperative they are to your overall health, not just your oral health. One of the biggest benefits of regular dental visits is that they can help prevent the development of serious dental issues and infections that can spread to other parts of your body.

It requires a certain regularity of dental visits to maintain a healthy mouth, but just how often should you really see your dentist? Let’s take a look at what’s involved.

Semiannual Dental Visits

It’s best to start out at a young age going to the dentist once every six months. Most people can continue this frequency until they get older or have a special dental issue, in which case you may be advised by your dentist to have dental checkups once every three or four months.

Even if you think your teeth are fine, you still need to make regular dental visits. A typical dental appointment entails a dental hygienist cleaning your teeth, and then the dentist will evaluate your teeth and gums. The visit may also include X-rays of your teeth and mouth. The entire visit usually only takes an hour.

Should I See the Dentist More Often?

The frequency will depend on several factors:

• Are you a high-risk patient? Are you undergoing chemotherapy or have a health condition that causes dry mouth, which can cause cavities?
• Do you have special dental work that requires regular checking and cleaning? Do you have dentures, which require that a dentist frequently checks their viability and integrity?
• Are you a smoker? If so, your mouth is regularly exposed to dangerous chemicals that can contribute to the development of gum disease and oral cancer, so frequent dental visits are strongly advised.

If any of these ring true, then your dentist may recommend a visit every three or four months for optimum maintenance of your oral health. Your dentist can adjust the frequency of the visits according to your overall mouth health.

Experienced Dentist in Plantation, Florida

Only a skilled dentist can tell you how often you should have dental checkups. Your dentist will perform a professional oral examination and an assessment of your overall health, and the dentist will recommend the optimum frequency for you.

The dental team at Dr. Ernie Soto’s clinic welcomes you to our relaxing facility in Plantation. We are conveniently located for patients in South Florida, including Palm Beach County, Miami-Dade County, and our surrounding communities of Fort Lauderdale (Broward County).

We offer a broad range of dental services, from general dentistry to orthodontics to cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Soto helps to create smiles that are not just bright and beautiful but also healthy.

Contact the dental office of Dr. Ernie Soto today by calling us at (954) 368-6264 or request an appointment online now. Our friendly dental staff will provide you the gentle, caring, and attentive service that you deserve.