How Often Should I Visit The Dentist?

Ever found yourself asking ‘how often should I visit the dentist’ and hoping that the answer doesn’t make you want to hide how long it has been? Don’t let this worry put you off any longer. A busy schedule can sometimes get in the way of these important visits, but a healthy smile is for life, and if you haven’t attended an appointment for a while then now is the time to arrange one.

Whether it’s been six months or several years since you last saw a dentist, new and returning patients are most welcome at Riverside Dental Spa. Read on as we reveal how often you should visit the dentist, along with the most pressing questions that you want answered before you book your appointment.

How Often Should I Visit The Dentist?

Whilst we all care for our teeth in the same way, everyone’s oral health is different, and there is no set timeline for how often you should visit the dentist. You may have heard that you should visit the dentist every 6 months, but even the NHS itself states that whilst some people may need more regular checkups, others can leave it slightly longer between appointments.

How often you need to visit the dentist will rely upon your oral hygiene, habits, and any issues, and our dental team will be able to advise you on this during each appointment. A good rule of thumb is to arrange visits to our Dental Spa at least every 12 months, or sooner if any pressing issues begin to show.

When To Visit The Dentist Sooner

There are a number of oral health problems that will need to be assessed in-between checkups, and you will need to make an appointment if you experience any of the following:

Swollen or sore gums.
Receding gums or loose teeth.
Bleeding during brushing.
Persistent bad breath.
Cracked or chipped teeth.
Unexpected pain or discomfort.

These are all warning signs that could signal the early stages of gum disease, tooth decay, or other issues, and acting quickly will protect your smile from any further problems. Visiting us regularly will also help to identify other conditions that aren’t visible or painful, as these can easily go unnoticed in between appointments.

How Often Should I Visit The Dentist With A Child?

Lifelong oral health starts early and building healthy habits amongst our young patients - including regular visits to our Dental Spa - is a top priority for us.

That’s why we recommend bringing your little ones along to your own appointments from an early age so that they can get used to our practice and our team. This first visit should be done before the 6-month mark, as the first milk teeth usually break through around this time, and then regularly until the age of 18:

6-12 months: Bring your little one in to visit us as soon as their first tooth appears, or sooner, if possible, in order for our team to keep a close eye on their early oral development.
1 - 4 years: It is during these developmental years that all the milk teeth come through, and ongoing visits become essential. We will be able to advise both you and your little one on how to brush their new teeth and what types of foods, drinks, and snacks to avoid.
5-9 years: Paediatric tooth decay is currently the leading cause of hospital admissions among children aged 5 to 9 in England, and extractions due to decay rose again last year, emphasising the importance of regular visits and ongoing dental care.
Under 18: You should continue to schedule yearly dental checkups up to the age of 18, as impacted or improperly erupted teeth are the most common causes of tooth extractions in young people after tooth decay.

We want to make our expert care accessible for all little ones, and that’s why all of our children's dental checkups and treatments are half price. Click here to book an appointment for the whole family, or here to find out more about our children’s dental care.