Checkups are an essential element of preventative dentistry. Regular visits to the dentist safeguard your smile and allow problems to be addressed before they become serious. There is no hard and fast rule for how often you should pay a visit to your local dental clinic; every patient has different needs. Here, the professionals at Chinook Family Dentistry in Anchorage, AK, explain some of the factors to consider when determining how frequently you should have your smile checked.

If you’re in good dental health and don’t have any risk factors that predispose you to oral health problems, you should be fine seeing a dentist every six months. This is assuming you practice good hygiene habits, including daily brushing and flossing, and avoid bad practices like chewing on ice.

More frequent dental visits are necessary if you are at a greater risk of dental disease. High-risk groups include smokers, pregnant women, diabetics, and people who have a weakened immune response to bacterial infection. If you fall into one of these categories, you will likely need a visit every three to four months.

Your dental health history also plays a role in determining how often you should see your dentist. If you have a tendency to develop plaque buildup or cavities, or have ever had gum disease, you will want to schedule checkups more frequently. 

Even if you’re a model of good dental health, a bi-annual checkup is essential. These visits allow problems you may not yet notice to be caught and treated early. This can make the difference between getting a simple filling for a cavity and getting a root canal or tooth extraction down the line.

Based on your oral health habits, risk factors, and patient history, your dentist can make the best recommendation for how frequently you should come by. If you need advice in Anchorage, AK, Chinook Family Dentistry can help. For more than 35 years, they have been serving the community with compassionate, professional dental care. Visit their website or call (907) 272-8422 to request an appointment.