How Often Should You Really Visit the Dentist?

It’s one of the questions we’re asked most often at the practice, and the honest answer is: it depends. Some patients benefit from seeing us every three months. Others with consistently healthy teeth and gums can safely go a year or more between check-ups.

The short answer

NICE guidance for UK dentists recommends that check-up intervals are set for each patient individually, ranging from 3 to 24 months for adults and up to 12 months for children. Six months is a sensible starting point, but it isn’t a fixed rule.

At your first visit, we look at your overall oral health and your risk of decay and gum disease, then agree a recall interval that suits you. We review it at every appointment, so it can change as your needs do.

What affects how often you should come in

A few things make a shorter interval more likely to be right for you:

• A history of decay or fillings. If you’ve needed treatment recently, we’ll want to keep a closer eye on things.
• Gum disease or bleeding gums. Early gum problems respond well to regular professional care.
• Smoking or vaping, which affect gum health and can mask the warning signs.
• Diabetes and some medications that cause a dry mouth or affect healing.
• Orthodontic treatment, implants or bridges, which need extra attention to stay healthy.
• Pregnancy, when hormonal changes can make gums more sensitive.

“The goal isn’t to see you as often as possible. It’s to see you often enough to catch small problems while they’re still small, quick and affordable to fix.”

What happens at a check-up

A routine examination usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes. During your visit we’ll:

1. 1.Ask about any changes to your health, medication or concerns since your last visit.
2. 2.Examine your teeth, gums, tongue and soft tissues, including an oral cancer screening.
3. 3.Take X-rays when needed to check between teeth and below the gum line.
4. 4.Talk you through what we’ve found and any treatment options, with clear costs up front.
5. 5.Agree when we should see you next.

Check-ups and hygiene visits are different

A check-up is about diagnosis: finding problems early. A hygiene appointment is about prevention: professionally removing the hardened plaque (tartar) that brushing and flossing can’t shift, and showing you techniques that work for your mouth.

Many patients see the hygienist at the same interval as their check-up, while those prone to gum disease may benefit from more frequent cleans.

Signs you shouldn’t wait for your next appointment

Whatever your recall interval, please get in touch sooner if you notice:

• Toothache, or sensitivity that lingers after hot or cold food
• Gums that bleed regularly, are swollen or are receding
• A broken tooth, lost filling or loose crown
• A sore, ulcer or patch in your mouth that hasn’t healed within two weeks
• Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste

We aim to see all our plan patients within a week, and on the same day if you need emergency care.

Making regular visits easy

Life is busy, and dental appointments are easy to put off. That’s why we keep things simple: online booking, appointment reminders, and the option to spread the cost of your routine care with a practice plan. For patients who feel anxious, we’ll always take things at your pace.

If it’s been a while since your last visit, there’s no judgement here, just a friendly team ready to help you get back on track.