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How often should I go to the dentist?

The standard recommendation is to visit your dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings.

If you are staying at Ang Mo Kio area, look for a dentist near Ang Mo Kio. Make an appointment with an AMK dental surgeon today.

Why are twice a year appointments necessary?

The main reasons are:

• So that your dentist can check for problems that you might not see or feel
• To allow your dentist to find early signs of decay (decay doesn’t become visible or cause pain until it reaches more advanced stages.)
• To treat any other oral health problems found (generally, the earlier a problem is found, the more manageable it is.)

Are there people who need more frequent or less frequent appointments?

Twice yearly appointments work well for most people; however, there are some people who may need to be seen more often to visit dental clinic at Ang Mo Kio. Such people include those who have:

• Gum disease
• Family members with a history of plaque build-up or cavities
• A weakened immune system (the body’s own ability to fight off infections and diseases)
• Experienced certain life events — particularly those that cause stress or illness. Under these circumstances, changes in the mouth or an infection could occur.

On the other hand, people who have taken great care of their teeth and gums and have gone years without any problems might need to see the dentist less often.

Ask your dentist what visitation schedule works best for your state of dental health.

What happens at the typical checkup appointment?

The typical dental checkup visit usually includes the following oral health care activities:

• Cleaning— Although home-based tooth brushing and flossing help remove plaque, only a professional cleaning – provided by your dentist or dental hygienist – can thoroughly clean your teeth and remove the hardened plaque (called calculus or tartar) that builds up on teeth. Most hygienists use a series of metal hand instruments to clean your teeth. Some are using ultrasonic scalers, which provide deep cleaning above and below the gum line.
• Polishing— After your teeth have been cleaned, they are polished to remove plaque and stains on the tooth surface. The polish contains an abrasive substance and fluoride, and is applied using a small rotating rubber cup or brush attached to the dental hand piece.
• Prevention— Your hygienist might offer additional instructions for you to follow at home, based on the results of your exam. Don’t hesitate to ask your hygienist for instructions about brushing or flossing, or general care questions about your teeth and gums.
• X-rays— X-rays may or may not be taken during your checkup. Your dentist will consider your oral exam, dental history, and risk for developing cavities to decide how often you need x-rays.
• Treatment recommendations— If any oral health problems are found during your examination, your dentist will make recommendations for the best next steps. These might include referral to another oral health care specialist, additional diagnostic tests, or advice to return for restoration work (for example, fillings and crowns) or additional oral health care.