Dentist Visits Every Six Months?

During my 19 years as a practicing dentist, I get several questions daily regarding dental treatment, dental regiments, dental routines, etc. Many of the questions are excellent questions. With that in mind, I’ve decided to turn actual patients' questions into blogs.

Question: Why do I have to visit the dentist every six months? And why can’t I visit just once a year?

Answer: As a patient you have the right to pick and choose when you visit the dentist. If you want to visit once a year, you can. A once-a-year dental visit is not recommended, though, and here’s why. What happens during a tooth-cleaning is the removal of plaque and tartar. Everyone has heard this a thousand times. But what is also happening is the removal of harmful bacteria that causes gum disease, which is linked to heart disease, diabetes and a host of other medical/dental problems. If the mouth is the gateway to the body, you can’t have a healthy body without a healthy mouth. The ideal amount of time between visits to your dentist for cleanings is every three months. Why? Because the harmful bacteria re-organizes and regroups in 90 days, or three months. So, to keep teeth truly healthy, you should visit your dentist every three months. Diabetic patients are more likely to develop gum disease, which in turn can increase blood sugar and diabetic complications. Diabetic patients should maintain three-month visits. Dental visits every three months is usually NOT covered by most dental insurances, so you have to make a determination on how healthy you want to be.

Editor's note: Dr. Melvin Pierson is a Gloucester Township resident with a dental practice based in the Sicklerville section of Winslow Township. If you have a dental question, email Dr. Pierson at pdastaff@gmail.com, and include the subject line “Ask Dr. Pierson.” Your question may be the next blog.