How Often Should I Go to the Dentist?

Regular dentist visits are important for oral health, and understanding how often to go can help you maintain healthy teeth and gums.

It’s recommended that individuals should go to the dentist every six months or twice a year. But depending on your dental coverage and personal needs, some people may need more frequent appointments.

Benefits of regular visits

Visiting your dentist regularly is essential for keeping your mouth healthy and free of pain or discomfort. Here are some benefits of scheduling regular appointments:

• Catch signs of decay early: The earlier cavities or other signs of decay are identified, the easier they are to treat. During regular checkups, your dentist can identify potential problems in their early stages.
• Clean plaque and tartar: Plaque and tartar can build up over time, causing gum disease or other issues. Regular dental visits will help your dentist remove these substances from your teeth, ensuring your mouth remains healthy.
• Detecting signs of oral cancer: During each visit, dentists check for signs of oral cancer which can be challenging to detect on your own. Early detection is essential for a successful treatment plan.
• Prevent bad breath: Bad breath is often a symptom of an underlying issue such as cavities or gum disease. By visiting the dentist regularly, you can identify and treat such problems before they worsen.
• Emergency dental care: For those with dental coverage, regular visits can help you access emergency dental care if you ever require it.

Neglecting your dental health by not going to the dentist can lead to many problems.

Firstly, your oral hygiene will suffer, and your teeth may become stained or discolored. This can also cause bad breath, which is not only unpleasant but can also be a sign of underlying dental issues. Furthermore, neglected dental care can lead to cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss. In extreme cases, infections can spread to other body parts, causing complications such as heart problems.

Regular visits to the dentist are essential for maintaining good oral health and preventing these issues.

Bottom line

Visiting the dentist twice a year is recommended for most people, but frequent appointments may be necessary depending on your health and needs.

Regular trips to the dentist are essential for maintaining good oral health, so make sure to keep up with your appointments.  In addition to regular checkups, it’s also crucial that you practice good oral hygiene at home. This includes brushing your teeth twice daily for 2 minutes each time, flossing daily, and using mouthwash regularly.

With the proper dental care routine, you can keep your mouth healthy and prevent potential problems from developing.

Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.  

Coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York. In Arkansas, Policies A81100AR–A81400AR. Policies A82100RAR–A82400RAR. In Delaware, Policies A81100–A81400. Policies A82100R–A82400R. In Idaho, Policies A81100ID–A81400ID. Policies A82100RID–A82400RID. In New York, Policies NY81100–NY81400. Policies NY82100–NY82400. In Oklahoma, Policies A81100OK–A81400OK. Policies A82100ROK–A82400ROK. In Oregon, Policies A81100OR–A81400OR. Policies A82100ROR–A82400ROR. In Pennsylvania, Policies A81100PA–A81400PA. Policies A82100RPA–A82400RPAR. In Texas, Policies A81100TX–A81400TX. Policies A82100RTX–A82400RTX. In Virginia, Policies A81100VA–A81200VA. Policies A82100RVA–A82400RVA.

Coverage underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company. Dental, Vision and Hearing: In Delaware, Policy T80000. In Idaho, Policy T80000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T80000OK. Dental claims are administered by Aflac Benefits Solutions, Inc. Vision claims are administered by EyeMed Vision Care, LLC.  Hearing claims are administered by Nations Hearing. NOTICE: The coverage offered is not a qualified health plan (QHP) under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and is not required to satisfy essential health benefits mandates of the ACA. The coverage provides limited benefits. This is a limited benefit plan and provides dental benefits only. Aflac’s insurance plans are not an alternative for comprehensive health insurance. The policy provides limited dental, vision and hearing benefits only. Benefits are supplemental and are not intended to cover all medical expenses.

 Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (Tier One NAIC 92908). Coverage may not be available in all states including but not limited to NM, NY and VA.

Aflac WWHQ | Tier One Insurance Company | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

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