Some people avoid it for years, decades even, and some people are extremely on top of going to the dentist. The former will tell you that they don’t need fancy dental care, that their toothbrush is enough, but the latter is the side that’s right.
The standard is that you’ll see your dentist twice yearly. Some people are lucky and don’t require as many visits, but the standard patient will need a cleaning every six months. Even if you’re extremely on the ball when it comes to your oral hygiene at home, your routine consisting of multiple rounds of brushing, flossing, and mouthwash per day, anyone and everyone is at risk for certain oral diseases and infection.
There are certain groups that are at a higher risk for developing infections, cavities, or moderate to severe gum disease. These people include:
People with current dental issues, or a history of them
People that are historically prone to cavities
Pregnant women
People that smoke
Diabetics
This high-risk group may find themselves in the chair more frequently than every six months, some as frequently as every 3 to 4 months.
If you aren’t high risk, you should be booking your hygiene appointments a minimum of twice per year. If you are high-risk, have a conversation with your dentist about what schedule will work best for you and your specific needs!