How often do you go to the dental hygienist?

[DoTheNextRightThing]

My dentist says I should be visiting the hygienist every 6 months - but I'm reluctant to pay £25 twice a year to get a scale and polish. At my previous dental practice, I only went when they said they needed done. My teeth are really good condition, and I don't drink anything which would stain them. Do you think I need to go every 6 months? How often do you go?

I never go , so I'm not a very good example ! I'm 60 and have really good teeth - despite having only been inside a dentist's surgery about 6 times in my life. I had a really horrible experience as a child , and vowed that I'd never go back if I could help it .... and I've stuck to that vow. In theory I should have terrible teeth ( or none !) but they are fine , no problems.

I personally think that the whole idea of needing 6 monthly checkups is a rort.

Every 6 months at the same time as my check up, always have. I have excellent teeth and not one filling at 42. I’d go.

4 times a year. I have gum disease and need it checking regularly. Dentist twice a year. I'm 60.

It's not about having "really good teeth" it's about protecting your gums

Never been

Hygienists aren’t there to just sort out staining, they are to help keep the gums healthy.

I don't get any scale build-up so I go once a year if I remember. I have a small amount of gum recession so have to stay on top of that.

Never. I have good teeth, no fillings and I'm 47. Mine charges £60 a session so not going to start going any time soon either.

£25 is a bargain! I go probably once a year. It costs me £50 and can't afford to do it more often. Gum/dental health is linked to overall health, so it's not just about keeping your mouth healthy

When I was with a private dental practice - every six months.

Now I’ve moved to an NHS dentist - never been and I’ve been there for around ten years.

Funnily enough, also ten years ago, dh was told at the private practice that he urgently needed root canal costing around £1500. Nhs dentist disagreed and said to watch and wait - the problem cleared up and we’ve still got our £1500

Every 6 months and dentist check up the same

Never. I go to the dentist every 9 months at his suggestion, and he's never recommended that I should see the hygienist.

Hygienist every 3 months, dentist every 6. (covered by private dental plan)

I don't go any more under NHS dentist , but used to go twice a year in a private practice as dentist made out it was practically compulsory. This NHS dentist says my teeth are fine and she offers me a quick scale & polish as part of a normal consult if it warranted - about every 3rd visit. I do brush twice a day and floss and am generally careful with teeth.

Every 3 months, have appointment today. I have him disease after years of smoking (stopped 5 years ago). I've lost one tooth already and don't want any more falling out! I pay about £12a time. Dentist every 6 months

About every 18 months, just been and they said teeth and gums were perfect and said I could wait a year for next one.. but I always push a bit more as I get nervous - no idea why.

I get a n NHS check up every 6 months and private hygienist appt once a year. If you brush and floss regularly I think once a year is sufficient.

Every 3 months - I’ve got braces.

Every 3/6m, the dentist does it with local anaesthetic. I have genetically/inherited bad teeth and gums and don't want to lose any more (1 was wisdom tooth related so not my 'fault')

I go every 6 months. I only started going about 5 years ago. I'm 47. I was a bit scared of the dentist - used to go to nhs dentist, but fed up of constantly changing dentists. Now at private practice with same dentist and felt more confident about going so started seeing hygienist.

Every three months. Costs £48. I would like to keep my teeth, so having my gums improved is a priority. Having good teeth and gums is a bonus. I don’t, so I have to spend money on them. It’s the lick of the draw, like having poor eyesight, or hearing loss, or all kinds of conditions.

Never. My dentist has never advised me to. He only wants to see me every 10 months and doesn't even scale and polish then. I think I will look into a hygienist.

Good god if it only cost me 25 I would go every 3/4 months!! As it stands I go every 6 months. No fillings here either so I like to keep it that way hopefully!

It's not about having "really good teeth" it's about protecting your gums

If that was true, people in 3rd World countries would all have gum disease.

Every 3 months.

I have excellent teeth, but I also have a retainer that causes build-up, and my gums have a tendency to recede, so I really need it.