In the 1960s, dental and health organizations realized there was a definite need for patients to visit their dentists routinely. This was when preventive dentistry was born. Although they originally didn’t have much documented evidence to prove people should visit the dentist twice a year, their advice was spot on. There are many sneaky problems that can occur regarding oral health, so visiting the dentist regularly can help prevent accruing issues of which you might not be aware.
Dr. Carpenter knows scheduling a dental visit really is based upon each person’s oral hygiene, habits and medical conditions. There is no one size fits all.
Even if you take excellent care of your teeth and gums at home, you still need to see a dentist on a regular basis. Here at Meridian Campus Family Dental, we can check for issues you may not see or feel. Many dental troubles are not visible or painful until they are in advanced stages. Some examples include tooth decay, infections, gum disease, oral cancer and sometimes even non-dental related health problems. Regular visits allow Dr. Carpenter to find early signs of disease. Complications can be treated at an earlier, manageable stage.
On average, seeing a dentist twice a year works well for most people. Some can get away with fewer visits. Others may need more frequent visits. People with very little risk of cavities or gum disease do fine seeing their dentist just once a year. People with a high risk of dental disease might need to visit every three or four months, or more. This high-risk group includes:
Smokers
Pregnant women
Diabetics
People with current gum disease
People with a weak immune response to bacterial infection
People who tend to get cavities or build up plaque
If Dr. Carpenter doesn't find any cavities or gum disease in a patient for a few years, he may choose to lengthen the time between visits. Ask us at Meridian Campus Family Dental about the best schedule for your routine dental visits.
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