How Often Should You Visit a General Dentist?

As a general rule, you should visit a general dentist every four to six months for check-ups and cleaning visits. You may need more frequent visits (or additional visits) if there are specific oral health concerns to address (i.e., dental trauma, cavities, etc.). This review discusses how frequently you should visit a general dentist and the importance of doing so.

When to visit a general dentist: Here is what you should know

Although two to three dental office visits a year are typical, recommendations may be different for every patient. Here is a more detailed guide as to what a general dentist is and does and how often patients should visit them.

What is a general dentist?

A general dentist is a licensed dental professional who offers a range of services. They primarily focus on the prevention of oral health concerns for the long term through preventive care and early diagnostics. They also offer a range of restorative and cosmetic procedures. Although there are differences between a general dentist and a family dentist in some cases, a general dentist usually provides treatment for all age groups.

What does a general dentist do?

The services may vary for each general dentist depending on their focus and specialty. That said, there are four primary areas of care that most general dentists focus on:

• Diagnostic services, such as dental X-rays, oral examinations, and oral cancer screenings.
• Preventive services, such as routine dental cleanings, fluoride treatment, and dental sealants.
• Restorative services, such as dental fillings, crowns, bridges, root canal therapy, and scaling and root planing.
• Cosmetic services, such as teeth whitening, dental veneers, dental bonding, and crown lengthening.

Some dentists also provide orthodontic services, which include braces and clear aligner treatment options. Patients will need to consult with the individual general dentist whom they are considering in order to determine the precise services that are available.

How often are general dentistry visits recommended?

Patients who have no oral health concerns should still visit the general dentist every four to six months to help ensure that their mouth stays healthy and to detect any warning signs of an oral health concern. More frequent visits may be necessary for patients who are going through certain treatments (e.g., orthodontic care, dental crown placement, etc.).

During check-up visits, the dentist conducts an oral examination to determine the health of the patient's teeth, gums, and jawbone. Dental X-rays are recommended once every one to two years. The dentist will also clean the teeth and along the gum line and provide aftercare instructions.