More than half of Australian adults have visited a dentist in the past year, most often for routine checkups.
Many people are told they should visit the dentist every six months for a checkup and professional cleaning. Some dental clinics and health insurance policies even implicitly encourage twice-yearly visits.
These appointments typically include an oral health check by a dentist or oral health professional to detect signs of tooth decay, gum disease, or soft tissue lesions.
A professional cleaning is often performed during the same visit. This includes a scaling to remove plaque and tartar, as well as an X-ray to detect problems that are invisible to the naked eye.
While brushing with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth at home are essential, they cannot completely remove plaque and hardened tartar. Professional cleanings help eliminate these bacterial deposits that contribute to tooth decay and gum problems.
But do you really need to see the dentist twice a year?
A Cochrane systematic review, considered the gold standard for evaluating health evidence, explored this question. A 2020 study found strong evidence that six-month dental checkups offer no significant advantage in preventing tooth decay or gum bleeding compared with a risk-based approach. In this approach, dentists recommend visits based on each patient’s likelihood of developing dental problems.
The same study also found limited evidence for children and adolescents, meaning how often they should have dental checkups remains unclear.
As for professional dental cleanings, a 2018 Cochrane review concluded that regular cleanings compared with less frequent cleanings showed little difference in reducing gum disease symptoms or plaque buildup.
While plaque levels were slightly reduced, the clinical significance of this finding is uncertain. Patients who had their teeth cleaned every six or twelve months did report feeling their teeth were cleaner, but their overall quality of life was not affected.
Thus, while regular dental care is important throughout life, the frequency of visits should reflect individual needs and risks. People at high risk for oral disease (such as those with gum disease or frequent tooth decay) may need to see a dentist every three to six months.
For people with healthy oral health, an annual or even biennial checkup may be sufficient. Even if your risk is lower, you may still want to schedule a checkup every six months for peace of mind.
Regardless, it’s crucial to maintain good oral hygiene at home: brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between teeth with floss or an interdental brush, and limit added sugars in food and drinks. These habits are crucial for long-term protection of your teeth and gums.