How often do you go for dentist check ups?

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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 go every 6 months. Partly for the check up, but also because I don't want them to remove me from their books because I'll never be able to find another nhs dentist.

Wow, I didn't know people in the United Kingdom went to the dentist and dental hygienist so often! (I'm not from the U.K.).
That's wonderful, you must all have great dental health.

In my home country most people go to the dentist once a year, or once every other year, if their teeth are alright.

Every 9 months now for a check up, no more 6 month visits. If I miss one, they'll take me off the list and I won't have a dentist.

No matter how bad the fear is, the fear of not having a dentist for the times you're in agony is worse

Every six months for both dentist and hygienist.

I go every 6 months as I like it nowadays. I used to be terrified but have been having the gas even just for cleans and it’s so relaxing I often snore I’m so out of it. Could you try the gas and put noise cancelling headphones on with some relaxing music?

My current dentist asks me to see them once a year (been with them
about 4 years). I was surprised by this as it's always been every six months before them. However, I see the hygienist twice a year.

I am very fortunate that I have a long-standing nhs dentist who knows me and my dentist anxiety. He is fab and I see him every 6 months.
I also see a hygienist every 6 months.

I have a neurological thing called atypical facial pain so I am on three monthly checks due to that.

Really lucky to have an excellent NHS dentist who worked really hard to get to the bottom of my constant toothache (which wasn’t toothache at all!) along with maxillo facial and neurology.

I go every 6 months for a check up, but I am very nervous so I get the dentist I like/trust to do the hygiene too, even though it costs extra! Good luck!!

I see the Hygienist for a thorough clean every 6 months, but rarely bother to see a dentist.

I go to a private hygienist twice a year and to my NHS dentist twice a year too. The hygienist at my NHS dentist is rubbish so I go privately for that now as I think it helps to preempt problems.

The kids go twice a year too as they are NHS and DD has a fixed brace so I’ve started paying for her to see a hygienist too while it is on to help keep her oral hygiene in check.

I get an airflow hygienist clean when I go which is over £100 but makes my teeth feel super clean.

Every 6 months for check up and hygienist
Been more this year as I've had a filling and going for cosmetic bonding next week

Oh and I'm on denplan so not paid for any of it!

Every 18 months but had a 5 year gap as no appointments during Covid and then I could never get one after work.Hav e2 fillings from childhood and no issues since wisdom teeth out in my early 20s, now 52.
DDs went every 6 months and had braces all on NHS . I’m still with NHS too. I look after my teeth well at home with electric toothbrush and tape and hopefully they’ll stay healthy.

Some years ago my private dentist said I only needed to be seen once a year. Recently changed dentist as he retired, and the new guy also said once a year is sufficient. I've only been to a hygenist once in my life, and never again. Funnily enough, new dentist said I was obviously doing an excellent job of keeping my teeth flossed etc. Also never flossed, but I didn't admit that!

I am 58, so good teeth I guess.

Who pays the monthly instalments then?

@sanityisamyth my work as a benefit
Think it's about £21pm for mine but makes a nice difference

Every 6 months. I have a denplan style agreement so i make use of what i pay.

I live in Sussex. I tried to source a NHS dentist when I moved here 3 years ago. The nearest one was Dover. (2 hours by train or 2 hrs 10 by car one way) So I left it. Tried again about 2 months ago. Now I get 17 'options' when I enter my postcode into the NHS dentist search engine. All of which helpfully say 'not accepting new NHS patients' .

The entire system is a total travesty and people have just accepted the decimation of the NHS dental service and accepted they have to go private. This is the stealth privatisation of key NHS services and already has created a 2 tier standard of dental care. Those who can afford to pay/have private medical insurance and those who have literally pulled their own teeth out. (I know more than one person who has been forced into this)

We should be so so angry about this rather than just accepting it and 'going private' . This is EXACTLY what this appalling government wants us to do with ALL medical services. Passively accept it is appalling and quietly slink off to the private sector (guess who the shareholders are ? ) ....

Six months for check ups and every three for hygienist although I do produce a lot of plaque. Private dentist. I go by the Pam Ayers saying.

@Outofmydepthnow

The entire system is a total travesty and people have just accepted the decimation of the NHS dental service and accepted they have to go private.

You're right, it's a travesty, but what exactly can we do about it?

Done worry op. I missed going for over 20 years! Only went, a few years ago now, because I was about to start cancer treatment (ok now). Anyway didn't need anything doing apart from a descale. Not had anything treatment apart from that since either.

The reason I stopped going? Hadn't been since university. At first I resented paying for any of it and I was young and didn't really value going anyway. Figured I'd cross that bridge if I had any problems with my teeth. And the longer I left it the more I forgot about it and the more embarrassing the prospect of returning.

Managed to get NHS dentist fairly rapidly when I explained my situation to the lovely receptionist.

Oh and I visit dentist every year now.

Once a year dentist and hygienist, which is what my dentist recommends for me.

I lost my NHS dentist at age 16 and have only been for dental whitening twice and a few sessions for dental implants (cosmetic reasons). We have genetically strong teeth in my family.

I have a full tool kit for scrapping tartar etc and floss regularly as it’s an activity I can do whilst watching TV.

I know I’m lucky … but I don’t escape the fear factor as I’m truly terrified of going to the Optician 🥶