High-quality oral care is essential to your overall health. Visiting the dentist office regularly for checkups, cleanings, and to address any issues is the best way to ensure you're getting the oral health care you need. According to the American Dental Association, about 52% of adults do see the dentist biannually; however, about one out of five adults haven't been to the dentist in over one year. How often should you go to the dentist office? Keep reading to learn more.

You Should Follow the General Rule of Thumb

A biannual visit to the dentist office is recommended by the American Dental Association. During these checkups, your dentist will perform a complete exam and develop a treatment plan if one is necessary. The dental hygienist will also clean your teeth. Professional cleaning is essential for oral health care, as it removes tartar and plaque buildup that brushing alone won't reduce.

You May Need More Frequent Visits

If you're at high risk for dental disease, you should visit your local dentist office more frequently. In some cases, monthly or weekly visits are warranted while you're going through extensive dental treatment. If you have gum disease, you may need to visit the dentist more frequently than usual to be monitored.

If you have underlying medical conditions like diabetes or you take certain medications, you may need to see the dentist more often, too. Your dentist is the best resource for understanding how often you should be seen by their professional team!

Your Family Members May Need More Visits

Children and older adults may also need to see the dentist more frequently than young and middle-aged adults. Children typically require more focused dental care as their young mouths grow and develop. Older adults may require dentures, tooth extractions, or other types of dental care associated with aging. It's also a good idea to get screened for gum disease more often as we age.

Ensuring that you're seeing the dentist enough throughout the year will ensure your oral health care is in good standing. If it's been a while since you have been to the dentist, you should schedule a cleaning. Here at Byrne Dental, we prioritize patient education as well as providing high-quality dental treatments. Call today to make an appointment!