How Often Should You Visit the Dentist?

Visiting the dentist at least once a year is a reasonable goal for most people, although some evidence suggests that those with a low risk of dental disease may be able to wait up to 18 to 24 months. The average person should have two cleanings a year, once every six months. If you're looking for a dental office in Marietta, GA, there are plenty of options available. However, it's estimated that 42% of Americans don't go to the dentist as often as they would like, and 85% of Americans consider oral health to be “very” or “extremely” important to their overall health.

Unfortunately, just under a quarter of adults say they won't or aren't sure about visiting the dentist for their regular cleanings next year. This number increases when cost, time and perceived health considerations are included. So should everyone go to the dentist twice a year? Evidence for this recommendation is scant, but doing so may encourage healthy behaviors. The strongest evidence suggests that an annual dental exam is often beneficial to a patient's health. However, since the risk of disease varies so much between people, only the dentist can adequately assess the most appropriate interval between dental exams.

The American Dental Association recommends visiting the dentist every six months as a good rule of thumb. But why? After all, you only need a regular physical exam every one to two years, so why does your oral health need so much more attention? The answer lies in the fact that our mouths are asked to do a lot. This means that permanent teeth must survive an average of 72 years by chewing, grinding, clenching and being exposed to acidic foods and beverages.