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How Often Should Adults Be Going To The Dentist

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At some point, most parents will stress the importance of oral hygiene to their kids and the need to get a dental check up on a regular basis. However, as most people get older and enter adulthood, the start giving this issue less importance.

It's possible that some adults just assume they already do a good enough job taking care of their teeth, however, for others, the issue is simply not treated as a priority. The end result is that most people will not visit a dentist until circumstances force them to.

Why are Regular Dental Visits Necessary?

Flossing and brushing have proven to be very effective in the fight against dental problems. However, these two approaches can't solve every dental problem that exists. Oral health also involves being on the lookout for things such as oral cancer. Unfortunately, these are not issues that you can detect on your own.

During regular dental visits, the professional gets an opportunity to screen for issues such as oral cancers. This is also an opportunity to assess if your brushing and flossing techniques are effective. Many people still make mistakes such as over brushing their teeth.

How Often Should You Get a Dental Checkup?

The frequency of dental checkups is guided by the degree of risk. At the lower end of the scale, people who aren't at a high risk of contracting gum disease or developing cavities will probably get away with just a single dental visit every year.

However, a lot of people are at a slightly higher risk of dental issues because of diets that contain a lot of sugar. Some people are also genetically predisposed to develop certain dental problems. This means that a lot of people will require more than just one dental visit in a year.

High-Risk Factors

There are some factors that put people at a much higher risk of developing certain issues. This high-risk group may need a dental checkup as often as once every three months. People in this group include:

  • Regular smokers

  • People living with diabetes

  • Those with weaker immune response

  • People suffering from gum disease

  • Pregnant women

  • Drug users

Drug and alcohol addiction is an important risk factor since it can result in poor oral health and slower healing. People in these high-risk groups must get more frequent checkups especially after some treatments since the risk of a dangerous infection will be much higher.

Reach out to a company like Snodgrass King to learn more.


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