During your last dental appointment, the front staff may have already booked you for your next dental cleaning and check-up six months down the road. Semiannual visits are the standard when it comes to dental care. You may be wondering though why exactly you need to see the dentist twice a year when you get an annual check-up from your regular doctor just once a year. Here’s the scoop:
Prevention Is Key
The main reason you come in for a dental cleaning and check-up is to prevent other issues from developing like cavities or gum disease. That’s why these types of services are classified as preventive dental care rather than say teeth whitening, which is cosmetic dental care, or a root canal, which is restorative dental care.
The cavity and disease–causing bacteria in our mouth are constantly leading to the formation of plaque on our teeth. Unfortunately, it’s not something you can prevent for the rest of your life with just one good cleaning. When it comes to helping you ward off that plaque and catching any new problems before they’ve had time to become severe, six months is considered the sweet spot.
Additional Health Considerations
Some patients at a higher risk of developing gum disease and cavities require more than two visits a year to keep their teeth and gums in good condition. For example, if you’re dealing with gum disease, we may ask you to come back every three months for a deep cleaning. Every patient’s case is different so it’s best to find out how often you need a dental cleaning directly from your dentist who’s familiar with your specific smile needs.
Visit Us at River Vista Dentistry!
Is it time for your next dental cleaning? We’d love to take care of you at River Vista Dentistry. Call or email us today to book an appointment at our friendly dental office in Charlotte. We look forward to seeing you!