| Dental Visits: Does the Six-Month Rule Still Apply? |
Often, we have been taught that we should visit a dentist for checkups every six months to help avoid serious dental problems with our teeth and gums or jaw. But, is a twice a year visit still necessary? This rule exists because most insurance providers give coverage for dental visits two times a year. The reason is, insurance providers recognize the importance of regular dental visits. They help them save money because dental problems are able to be caught early on before extensive damage has been done.
So should people see a dentist more frequently? Again, the six-month rule serves as a guideline. That is the period of time people should spend from one dental visit to the next. For some people, especially those prone to cavities and gum disease, or other dental problems, they stand safer if they see our dentist more regularly.
If you have an active gum infection or gum disease, you may need to make dental visits more frequently than every six months. Our dentist will need to monitor how the treatment for gum infection is progressing. That requires you to make a visit every three months or so. Sometimes, after having a procedure like scaling and root planing or simply deep cleaning, you will need to see our dentist more often for maintenance.
It is essential to mention that how often you visit our dentist may change over time, depending on whether there is an oral problem you are dealing with or you have a restoration that you are undergoing such as implant placement. When you visit our dental office for checkups, we will tell you how frequently you should be coming for checkups in the future, depending on the status of your oral health.
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| What Causes Tooth Decay?
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Cavities and tooth decay are common oral health problems that are prevalent in teenagers and small children. Without treatment, cavities can lead to tooth loss and severe toothaches.
Tooth cavities generally come from the accumulation of plaque, which is a combination of acid, food particles, and bacteria. This plaque forms and erodes your tooth enamel, weakening it over time and increasing its decay. Poor oral hygiene is also a cause of tooth decay.
It is important to brush our teeth twice per day with fluoride-rich toothpaste and floss regularly. Please contact our offices today and learn more about the causes of tooth decay.
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| Important Tips for Making Flossing Easier |
Flossing is crucial for maintaining a healthy mouth. We recommend patients floss their teeth at least once a day to clean the areas our toothbrushes cannot otherwise reach. If it helps, you may set an alarm on your phone to remind you about your daily flossing routine.
To floss your teeth effectively, you must use approximately 18 inches of dental floss per session and get a piece of floss that fits between your teeth. Waxed floss is especially useful for tight spaces. You must floss carefully, however, so as to avoid gum bleeding.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of flossing, please contact our offices today.
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