How often should you go to the dentist?

There is no single interval that suits everyone. How often you need a check-up depends on the health of your teeth and gums, and a dentist advises on a suitable interval after examining you. A commonly used general guide is around every six months, though many patients are safely seen more or less often than this.

In short

• No fixed rule applies to everyone. A dentist sets a suitable interval for each patient after an examination, not a single date that applies to the whole population.
• NHS guidance in the United Kingdom allows a range from three months to two years between check-ups, depending on a person’s own risk of dental problems.
• Patient guidance from the South African Dental Association points to roughly every six months as a general pattern for most people.
• A professional clean is usually a separate appointment from a check-up, and is not automatically included every time.
• Waiting too long between visits can let decay or gum disease develop unnoticed, since both are often painless in their early stages.

Why isn’t there one fixed rule for everyone?

A dental check-up looks at more than whether a tooth hurts. The dentist examines the teeth, gums, tongue and the rest of the mouth, and compares what she finds with earlier visits where records exist. How quickly problems tend to develop differs from person to person, depending on things such as past decay, gum health, diet, smoking and how thoroughly plaque is removed at home. This is why a dentist recommends a date for your next dental check-up based on your own mouth, rather than applying one rule to every patient.

What does the guidance actually say?

Guidance on this varies a little, which is worth knowing rather than treating any single number as an exact rule. NHS guidance in the United Kingdom states that the time between check-ups can range from three months to two years, depending on how healthy a person’s teeth and gums are, with a longer gap generally suited to someone at lower risk of problems. The South African Dental Association’s own patient guidance points to roughly six months as a general interval for most people, alongside its advice to attend the dentist regularly rather than only when something hurts. Taken together, these sources agree on the same principle: the right interval depends on the individual, and six months is a reasonable general guide rather than a strict rule.

Is a check-up the same as a clean?

No. A check-up is an examination, used to find any problem early and to see how your mouth is doing overall. Removing built-up plaque and tartar is a different kind of appointment, generally carried out by one of the practice’s hygienists and known as a scale and polish. A dentist may suggest booking one at your check-up if it would help, but the two appointments are not automatically the same visit.

Does this apply to children too?

Yes, though the right age for a child’s first visit and how often to return afterwards are questions of their own, covered in When should a child first see a dentist? A young child’s teeth and habits are still developing, so the interval a dentist suggests can look quite different from an adult’s.

When should you see a dentist sooner than your next check-up?

Some signs are worth a call before your scheduled date arrives. These include gums that bleed when you brush, a tooth that has become sensitive or painful, a rough or broken edge, or anything about your mouth that has changed and concerns you. A routine interval is a general guide for a healthy mouth, not a reason to wait if something feels wrong in the meantime.

How do I reach Dr Davies?

Dr Annabel Davies provides check-ups at BRS Dental on Strand Street, in Cape Town City Centre. To make an appointment, call Dr Davies directly on her own mobile, which is shown on this page. Fees for a check-up are discussed with reception.