Dentists recommend regular exam and hygiene (cleaning) appointments so we can help you maintain a healthy mouth through a preventive program.
Your regular 6 month exam and hygiene visits allow the doctor and hygienist to note any changes in both your teeth and gums. In this way we can catch problems when they are small and before they become for difficult, uncomfortable and often times more expensive. It sometimes can indicate greater problems with your overall health. We compare it to having regular maintenance on your vehicle, sort of like a tune-up for your mouth.
In fact, we usually tailor and schedule the appointments based on each person’s individual needs. This may mean some people come more frequently and others can wait a little longer between visits, although never more than one year. Patients are often concerned about what their plan will cover, and although plans may have a limit on what they will pay, this does not mean that is the best thing for your health. By limiting these basic preventive services, dental plans may actually be providing a dis-service to their clients by not allowing them to do routine maintenance.