How often do you go for dentist check ups?

[question133]

I haven't had a check up in about 2 years, this is due me moving/finding a new dentist/life getting in the way. I have a check up scheduled with my new dentist tomorrow.

I am terrified on the dentist and of dental pain in general. I have had bad experiences with my teeth and had reconstructive work (bridges, crowns) due to an accident when I was younger. I am always so nervous of them poking around too hard and damaging/breaking some of this, especially as this will be a new dentist.

I just want to cancel it (I won't) but really dreading it!!

How often do you go for dental check ups?

I am completely terrified of the dentist and feel like you every time I go. They'll say come every 6 months or every year but 2 years is totally normal in the general population. Many people leave it much much longer than that (including me in the past) or never go at all.

My advice is 1) tell them you're terrified when you arrive, most will take pity on you and be extra gentle 2) take some noise cancelling headphones (or just normal headphones) and put them on any time you can 3) do deep breathing exercises to calm yourself. This is what works for me. Good luck, you'll be fine!

Oh and I forgot to mention - don't get there too early. I get there just a few mins before my appointment otherwise I work myself up into a panic in the waiting room!

I go once a year for a checkup and see a hygienist twice a year. DH put me on his private dental plan when we got married, so I don't pay anything. Before that I would go for years without going for a checkup.

I go every six months and the hygienist also.

I go every 6 months (or 9 when the dentist tells me to wait that long) these days.

However, in between ceasing to be eligible for free dental care and going again afterwards, I had a gap of 11 years. 😱😬 Still only needed a good clean though, thankfully.

Once a year for a general dentist check up.

Every six months for the hygienist.

I go every 6 months as my teeth are a bit on the soft side. However, I went nearly 3 years when moving house coincided with lockdown. It was fine.

I hope every 6 months. After Covid they said every 3 months🙄

I go every 6 months. I’m very nervous too, so the only way I know I’ll return is if I make the appointment At reception as I’m leaving.

I only ever need a clean, but I have a problem with tartar buildup, so can’t leave it a year.

I once didn’t go for 10 years, and only went because I had pain. (Age 20-30).

Best of luck. It’s never as bad as you fear

Every 6 months for the dentist and every 3 months for the hygienist.

Every six months usually.. sometimes it's been three. Just had a filling re-done so I'm going in 3 months for it checking.
I see hygienist once a year.. but my dentist also gives me a quick clean too.
She's a brilliant dentist..referred me for acupuncture on NHS for my TMJ. I've had one session two years ago.. waiting for another.

2 years is totally normal in the general population

Really? Even my nhs dentist does an annual check up. Pre covid it was every 6 months. 2 years seems far too long.

Every other year. I am 36 years old, and have good teeth.

Once a year usually. I take a couple of paracetamol before I go just incase they poke around & it hurts 🥺

@question133
Good luck with your dentist appointment!

Every 6 months including the hygienist on a Denplan plan.

Every 6 months but I hate it. If I have the appointment my sense of obligation is enough for me to go, even though I do dread it.

I missed an appointment accidentally once when my son got ill and I had to pick him up from school - it completely went out of my head. I then left it a year then before I got up the courage to make another one.

I'm terrified and I don't go unless I'm in pain. To be honest I think they look for trouble and I work hard to keep my teeth clean etc myself.

Check-up twice a year, hygienist 3-4 times a year. Get private dental insurance through work. If I had to pay out of pocket it would probably be a lot less often than that.

Every 6 months and hygienist every 6 months too. I don’t like the dentist but I find prevention is better than cure. If you keep on top of your teeth and have them cleaned regularly you are less likely to need any invasive treatment. I haven’t had any treatment apart from a filling replaced in 20 years. Don’t neglect your teeth, it’s a very painful and costly exercise.

I have a great dentist, I genuinely look forward to seeing her. I think that makes a difference.

Hardly ever. I think I've been maybe 3 or 4 times in the last 40 years

Last time was 14 years ago.

Every 6 months.
Hygienist every 18 months or so.

Every 6 months. I'm one of those rare beasts who still has an NHS dentist so can't risk missing an appointment for fear of being struck off.

Every three months for the hygienist, every six months for the periodontist, and every year for the general dentist. I do have very problematic teeth however. This is all private, and takes a big chunk of my income as they aren't really insurable. If I'd gone more often in the past thirty years, I'd never have got into such a mess. So do go!