How often should you actually see a dentist?

Twice a year is a reasonable default, but it isn't a rule that applies equally to everyone. Your ideal check-up frequency depends on your gum health, how quickly you build up plaque, and your history of cavities.

If you've had gum disease, we usually recommend visits every three to four months. If your teeth and gums have been consistently healthy over several visits, some patients can safely stretch to nine or twelve months between check-ups.

The best approach is to let your dentist set a personalized interval after your first couple of visits, rather than defaulting to a generic schedule.