How often should you go to the dentist for a check-up?
In short: the usual is to go to the dentist every 6 to 12 months: every 6 if you are at higher risk (delicate gums, a tendency to cavities, implants, orthodontics) and once a year if your mouth is healthy. The key is to go even if nothing hurts, because cavities and gums do not warn you with pain until the problem is already advanced.
Why every 6-12 months?
Because that is the rhythm at which it is worth monitoring and preventing. At a check-up, the dentist detects small cavities, checks the gums and removes the tartar that the brush cannot. Doing this once or twice a year keeps problems in check before they grow.
| Your situation | Rough interval |
|---|---|
| Healthy and stable mouth | Every 12 months |
| Tendency to cavities or tartar | Every 6 months |
| Delicate gums / periodontitis | Every 3-6 months (maintenance) |
| Implants or orthodontics | As advised by the dentist |
”But nothing hurts…”
This is the big misunderstanding. In the mouth, pain comes late: a cavity does not hurt until it is deep, and gum disease progresses silently over years. By the time it hurts, the treatment is usually bigger and more expensive.
Going when nothing hurts is not a waste of time: it is exactly the opposite. It is the way to catch things while they are small, when they are fixed with a filling and not a root canal or an implant.
The maths that works in your favour
Prevention saves money. Let’s compare:
- A check-up + clean once a year: a small amount.
- Treating an advanced cavity, a root canal or replacing a lost tooth: a great deal more.
What is cheap is what is caught early. And many check-ups, what’s more, are quick and treatment-free: you leave with a “all good, see you in a year”.
The check-up also looks after your general health
It is not just the mouth: at the check-up we detect signs of bruxism, gum problems linked to your general health and even lesions worth keeping an eye on. It is a more complete check-up than it seems.
Has it been a while since you came in? A check-up gives you peace of mind and, if there is anything, we catch it in time. The first visit is free. Book an appointment whenever you like.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you go to the dentist?
As a general rule, a check-up every 6 to 12 months. Every 6 months if you are at higher risk (delicate gums, a tendency to cavities, implants, orthodontics) and once a year if your mouth is healthy and stable. The dentist will tell you your ideal interval.
Do I need to go to the dentist if nothing hurts?
Yes, precisely. Cavities and gum disease do not hurt at first: by the time it hurts, the problem is already advanced. The check-up serves to catch things in time, when everything is easier and cheaper to treat.
How often should you have a scale and polish?
The usual is a professional clean once a year, although some people who tend to build up tartar or have delicate gums need it every 6 months. The dentist adjusts it to your case.
Can we help with your case?
Free first consultation and diagnosis in Bilbao, no commitment.
