How often do I need to visit the dentist?
The answer to this isn’t quite as straightforward as you might think. Clearly, the received-wisdom answer is every six months or twice a year. But the reality is that some patients will need to attend more frequently, while others may not need so many check-ups. A good dentist will advise you further on next appointment time, based on the current state of your oral health. In recent years, the UK’s Chief Dental Officer has suggested that patient and dentist could agree a suitable ‘recall interval’. However, previous proposals to extend the recommended interval for low-risk patients were not enacted.
Some believe the six-monthly rule dates back to the 1700s, and stress that the evidence on the need for twice-yearly check-ups is either mixed or unclear. However, we’d argue that this regularity of check-ups remains a good rule of thumb, even if you’re not experiencing particular problems. And, of course, if you do have persistent issues with your teeth, more frequent appointments will be necessary.
Some believe the six-monthly rule dates back to the 1700s, and stress that the evidence on the need for twice-yearly check-ups is either mixed or unclear. However, we’d argue that this regularity of check-ups remains a good rule of thumb, even if you’re not experiencing particular problems. And, of course, if you do have persistent issues with your teeth, more frequent appointments will be necessary.
Below we look at some common niggles and assess whether they warrant a visit to your dentist.
- Bleeding after brushing or flossing
Blood in the basin can be a worrying sight. And a dentist will need to look in your mouth to know whether there is a problem. However, you can generally sort out bleeding gums at home using a few basic techniques. The most common cause behind this issue is gum disease. And one figure (from Birmingham University’s School of Dentistry) has it that 90% of the nation’s adults have this problem in some form.
Especially in its milder forms, bleeding gums can be treated at home with flossing and correct brushing techniques. You certainly don’t need an emergency slot with your dentist. Make a non-urgent appointment if you notice persistent bleeding, or discuss at your next check-up. You will need to seek dental attention more urgently if you also have painfully swollen gums, or bleeding when you eat hard foods.
- Receding gums
Noticed your teeth looking slightly longer or that your gums appear to be pulling back from your teeth? You probably have receding gums, which can have a number of different causes, most seriously gum or periodontal disease. (Other causes can include old age, poor oral hygiene and overly vigorous brushing.) It means gum tissue has worn away, and the gums can look inflamed. This is something which happens gradually, so it’s worth checking that you have healthy gums daily. (You may also notice bad breath, loose teeth, gum tenderness, or even loose teeth.) It means bacteria are more likely to grow around the affected area.
While this is not a reversible problem, it can be prevented from worsening. You may need occasional scaling and root planning treatments, or a gum graft for a more natural look.
Gum recession is a common, ongoing issue and not typically an emergency. Discuss with your dentist as part of your long-term oral care.
- Dry mouth
While a dry mouth, caused by insufficient saliva, is not uncommon if you are feeling nervous or dehydrated, it can indicate an underlying problem. An unusually dry mouth or xerostomia is worth discussing with your dentist. Underlying issues which can cause this issue include some medications (such as antihistamines and anti-depressants), conditions such as diabetes, as well as radiotherapy.
You can try a number of things yourself, including taking more cold water or unsweetened drinks, sucking on sugar-free sweets or chewing gum to stimulate saliva production and avoiding alcohol.
Your dentist may suggest an artificial saliva substitute in gel, lozenge or spray form, while in some cases medication may be prescribed.
- Loose or shifting teeth
In adults, a loose or shifting tooth can be caused by an accident, a blow to the face or biting down too hard or quickly on something that’s very solid. Gum disease and infections are further potential culprits.
Don’t fiddle with the tooth if it happens to you – leave it well alone. Eat soft foods, and, if a tooth has been knocked out completely, try and keep it moist. Above all, keep the area clean and swill with an antibacterial mouthwash. Various treatment options are available, not all of which require extensive restoration work – make a dental appointment and visit your dentist promptly.
- Broken or chipped tooth
If you have chipped, cracked or broken a tooth, this is usually not overly serious, so don’t worry unduly. Your dentist will be able to deal with the problem as a non-urgent matter, although you should book an appointment if your next check-up is some time away.
One thing you can do, improbable though it may sound, is to put the tooth in milk or saliva in a container, and take it to your dentist, who may be able to glue it back on.
- Bumps & sores
An oral sore or bump can have various sources, so don’t assume the worst immediately. You may just have a burn on the roof of your mouth, or a canker or cold sore, all of which should heal within a few days. However, if a sore hasn’t healed in two weeks, see your dentist. If they think it could be cancerous, swift action is clearly vital – but in most cases it won’t be anything to worry about.
Other potential causes include oral mucous cysts, teeth-inflicted injuries, extra bone growth or squamous papilloma (painless cauliflower-like bumps). As ever, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so make that appointment.
- Ongoing toothache
There are some circumstances in which a persistent toothache does require a dental appointment. For example, you should take action if the pain lasts longer than a couple of days, and doesn’t subside even when you take painkillers. Other red flags include toothache accompanied by a high temperature, pain on biting, overly red gums or a lingering bad taste. Another indication that you need a dentist is a swollen cheek or jaw.
Remember, your GP won’t be able to help with toothache as they don’t provide dental treatment.
- Persistent bad breath
Sometimes called halitosis, bad breath may be embarrassing, but it’s also very common. More often than not, you can tackle it yourself, and the best way of doing that is to keep your tongue, mouth and teeth consistently clean.
This issue has a number of causes, including smoking, some medical conditions, dental problems such as gum disease, strong-smelling or spicy food and even some things you may not have thought of, like crash dieting.
Things to avoid include smoking, sugar, brushing teeth too hard and rinsing with water immediately afterwards. And you can try all the usual things to keep your breath smelling fresh, from mouthwashes to flossing, and cleaning your tongue as well as your teeth. If you wear dentures, clean them too, and take them out at night.
If you find bad beath lingers more than a few weeks, and is accompanied by painful, bleeding or swollen gums, toothache or denture problems, visit your dentist.
- An abscessed tooth or extreme swelling
A dental abscess is when pus collects inside a tooth, in the gums or in the bone holding the teeth in place. The cause is typically a bacterial infection. Contrary to what you may think, they are not always painful. But they always need prompt dental attention. They won’t heal by themselves, and could spread to other areas of the body and make you ill. Symptoms include an intense throbbing pain in the affected area. It’s often worse of you lie down, and could disturb your sleep. The pain may also spread to other facial areas on the same side. You may have bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth, or be especially sensitive to hot or cold food or drink.
A swelling inside your mouth may also indicate a dental abscess, or may be a sign of infection, especially if the area looks red or feels warm.
Again, see a dentist as soon as possible. If swelling is making it hard to open your mouth, is near an eye or making it hard to swallow or breathe.
Tips to keep your mouth healthy
And, finally … follow these tips for tip-top oral health and keeping your mouth healthy. These tips may seem obvious, but they work!
- Twice-daily (at least) brushing, ideally with an electric toothbrush and always for two minutes. Discuss brushing and flossing techniques with your dentist.
- Clean your tongue – you can buy specialist tongue cleaners, but you can also scrape away bacteria with an upside-down spoon.
- Improve your lifestyle with a healthy diet, stopping smoking and binning sugary foods and fizzy drinks.