How Often Should You Really See the Dentist?
The six-month rule isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. Here's how we set the right cleaning cadence for every patient.
The standard advice — visit the dentist every six months — is a useful starting point, but it isn't the right answer for everyone. Some patients do beautifully on annual visits. Others need to be seen every three or four months to stay healthy.
The right cadence depends on your gum health, your cavity history, whether you smoke, whether you grind, and a half-dozen other small factors. At your next cleaning, ask your hygienist what your personal cadence should be — most people are surprised to learn the answer.
What never changes is the value of consistency. Whatever schedule we settle on, keeping it is the single highest-leverage thing you can do for your long-term oral health.