We often get asked “How often should I (really) visit a dentist?”
Regular routine check-ups are (really) important for your teeth, your gums and your mouth. Issues like tooth decay and gum disease can more easily be detected in the early stages if you visit your dentist regularly. This will make treatment so much more straight-forward.
Regular visits help us identify risks. Preventive measures can then be put in place to save you pain (and more expensive problems) in the future.
We recommend a routine dental check-up every 6 to 12 months. This does not necessarily work for everyone. Some clients may need to visit a dentist more or less frequently, depending on their oral hygiene and issues they may be dealing with.
At Smile Forever, we will advise how often a check-up is required.
Key things we review at your check up include;
- Oral hygiene and Diet
- Health of your teeth, lips, cheeks and gums
- Risk of tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Signs of tooth wear
- Growth and alignment of your teeth and jaws
- Problems with the bite
Infants and Pre-School Children
We recommend that bubs should have their first dental check by the time they have their first birthday. This will help identify how things are growing and their gums developing. If it’s not convenient to get to a dentist, see a child health professional with oral health training for the first dental check.
We generally advise that low risk children visit a dentist at least once a year, while other children may need to visit the dentist every 3 to 6 months until their risk of decay has been stabilised.
If correction of orthodontic (bite) problems is required in the future, regular dental check-ups are important during the transition from baby teeth to adult teeth. Other important things reviewed could include infant feeding patterns, dummy sucking and thumb sucking.
School Students
Dental therapy services offered to students in Western Australia is funded by the WA Government – you can read about this and eligibility here. https://www.dental.wa.gov.au/dental-services/school-dental-service. The service includes routine dental examinations or check-ups, oral health advice, extractions, fillings, X-rays and fissure sealants. Specialist dental services including oral surgery and orthodontics are not provided, and students will be referred for these services. Free general and emergency work can be provided by Dental Therapy Centres for eligible students who are aged 5 to 16 or until the end of year 11 (whichever comes first) and who attend a school recognised by the Western Australian Department of Education. However, this does not include TAFE. You can find your closest School Dental Services Clinic via THIS LINK
Teens and Young Adults
Teenage years are tricky and can be where problems start. Adolescence often comes with greater diet and social risks. Soft drink, alcohol consumption, smoking and fast foods are often a big issue coupled with the fact that 45% of teenagers brush their teeth less than twice a day. Many young people will need to visit the dentist every 3-6 months until the risk of decay has been stabilised.
Regular dental checks during early teenage years are often required to see if bite correction or braces are required.
What else?
Other important things we can keep a check on;
- Grinding or teeth clenching
- Smoking
- Oral piercings
- Risk of tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancer.
- Maintenance and replacement of fillings or other dental work.
- Effects of diabetes
- Impact of medications
Is it time you saw the Dentist?
We would love to see you.
Keep smiling,
The Team at Smile Forever Dental
Call us on (08) 9321 3071 or click HERE to book online
Address; 2/55 Colin St, West Perth WA 6005
