dental appointments

[pinkbalconyrailing]

check up every 6 months

does anyone actually do that?
my teeth are ok and I see the dentist/hygienist maybe once a year.
I can't be arsed more often and also don't have the headspace to organise it more often for the dc.

is there actually any evidence that the 6 months is vital? or is that from a study sponsored by *toothpaste brand?

We always go as a family every six months normally. We haven't been since October last year though this time.

We just book the appointment for the next one at the time.

Although at present we've got a gap from Oct 2019 to Deb2021. I forunately got an emergency appointment on 20th March to deal with a broken filling and the dentist did my routine checks/ clean then rather than waiting a few weeks until April. If I hadn't had it that day, a lot more damage would have been done to a fragile tooth over lockdown.

I guess I wonder where the 'every 6 months' comes from.
is it really necessary or more a marketing thing?

my last app was a year ago, usually I would book for one now, but will only have one in march or so now.

It’s not marketing. It’s generally accepted practice for a number of reasons.

One is to catch cavities etc in rough time to treat and save teeth

Another is to catch other potential issues such as gum disease, mouth / tongue cancer etc in enough time that people can’t get the treatment they need.

For children it tends more towards cavities, protecting new teeth, ensuring good oral hygiene.

DD goes every 6 months normally. I only go once a year but that’s what my dentist recommends. If he recommended that I go every 6 months then I would.

I have a plan at a private dentist for 2 check ups and 2 hygiene visits. So yes I do. I have to work hard to keep my gums and teeth healthy. Genetically they aren’t the best and I’m happy to use the visits!

Imo hygienist is more important than dentist: dentist every 12 months and hygienist every 6 months.
My dd does every 6 months for both.

Yeah, I go every six months. Try and get both on the same day where possible. Due to COVID it will be a year since I got an appointment, though.

I think six months is recommended so that any issues are caught early - dentists don't just check teeth - they look at gums and your tongue too. They can spot signs of cancer as well as things like cavities.

I go every 6 months. Missed May appointment due to covid and had a load of other problems since which i could have avoided partially if i'd been seen earlier.

Yes, or we loose our NHS place. The dc have been every 6 months since they were 6 months old. Obviously haven't been since the pandemic started as the practice is only doing emergencies.

I go every 6 months without fail. I always book the next one while I'm there, it's just how we've always done it. I have rubbish teeth so I definitely need very regular appointments.

Just been to a private dentist and he said once a year for me. Kids every 6 months.

I remember hearing someone on the radio (a dentist?) saying that once a year is fine for adults.