How often should you go to the dentist? For most people, a check-up and clean every 6 to 12 months is a sensible starting point, which is what healthdirect generally recommends. Your dentist will then suggest a schedule based on your own risk of decay and gum disease, so the right interval for you may differ from a friend’s or partner’s.
If you’re not sure what a visit involves, start with our guide to dental check-ups. Below, we explain how recall intervals are set, who benefits from more frequent visits, and what can happen if you leave it too long.
How often should you go to the dentist? The short answer
Healthdirect advises that check-ups are generally recommended every 6 to 12 months, with your dental practitioner recommending a schedule based on your needs. Think of this as a range rather than a fixed rule.
At the end of each check-up, your dentist looks at what they found and tells you when to come back. This is often called your recall interval, and it can change over time as your mouth changes.
How your dentist decides your recall interval
Your recall interval is based on risk, not the calendar. Your dentist weighs up things such as:
- how much new decay you’ve had in recent years, and how many fillings or crowns you already have
- the health of your gums, including bleeding and the depth of the spaces between your gums and teeth
- how quickly tartar builds up on your teeth
- your diet, especially how often you have sugary or acidic food and drinks
- your general health and medications, as some medicines cause a dry mouth
- whether you smoke or vape
- how easily you can clean your teeth, including between them
If your mouth is stable, with no new decay and healthy gums, your dentist may keep you at the longer end of the range. If they’re seeing changes, they may bring your next visit forward so small problems can be managed before they grow.
Who may need more frequent check-ups?
People with gum disease or heavy tartar
Gum disease often develops quietly, with bleeding when you brush as the main sign. If you have it, your dentist may suggest more frequent cleans, sometimes every three or four months, while your gums are brought under control. Some people also build up tartar quickly and do better with shorter intervals.
Smokers, vapers and people with diabetes
Smoking and vaping are linked with a higher risk of gum disease and can mask warning signs such as bleeding. Diabetes can also affect gum health, and gum problems may make blood sugar harder to manage. Regular reviews help your dentist keep an eye on both.
Pregnancy
Hormone changes during pregnancy can make gums more likely to swell and bleed, and morning sickness exposes teeth to stomach acid. A check-up during pregnancy is generally considered safe and worthwhile. Tell us you’re pregnant when you book, and your dentist will take this into account when planning any X-rays or treatment.
If you’re vomiting, rinse with water afterwards rather than brushing straight away, as enamel is softer after contact with acid.
Braces and clear aligners
Brackets, wires and aligners create extra places for plaque to hide, and white spots of early decay can form around brackets. Orthodontic visits focus on moving teeth, so it’s still important to keep up your regular check-ups and cleans during treatment.
Older adults
Gums can recede with age, exposing root surfaces that decay more easily than enamel. Many common medications reduce saliva, which also raises the risk of decay. If you wear a partial or full denture, your dentist can check the fit and examine the gums and soft tissues underneath, so regular reviews remain worthwhile even without natural teeth.
How often should children see the dentist?
Children should start having check-ups from 12 months of age or when their first teeth appear. After that, many children are seen every 6 to 12 months, depending on their risk of decay.
Early visits help children get used to the chair, the light and the instruments before they ever need treatment, and give parents a chance to ask about teething, dummies, bottles and brushing. Our children’s dentistry appointments are gentle and paced to suit your child. If you’re wondering about government dental benefits, ask us whether the Child Dental Benefits Schedule applies.
Book sooner than planned if you notice white or brown spots on your child’s teeth, toothache, swelling, or a chipped or knocked tooth.
What happens if you skip check-ups?
Missing one visit isn’t a disaster, but long gaps let small problems grow without you noticing. Over time, you may find that:
- decay that could have been a small filling reaches the nerve and needs root canal treatment or an extraction
- tartar builds up and gum disease progresses, which can eventually loosen teeth
- cracked or leaking fillings go unnoticed until a tooth breaks
- changes in the soft tissues of your mouth aren’t checked
- treatment becomes longer and more costly than regular care would have been
Regular visits are the core of preventive dentistry: they’re designed to catch problems early, when treatment is usually simpler. Your check-up usually includes a scale and clean, and you can read more about teeth cleaning in North Sydney.
If you have severe pain, swelling or a broken tooth, don’t wait for your next check-up: see a dentist promptly through our emergency dentist page. Call 000 or go to hospital if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, or facial swelling that is spreading quickly.
Making regular visits easier
- Book your next check-up before you leave, so it’s already in the diary. Our North Sydney practice is close to the station, which can make it easier to fit around work.
- Set a yearly reminder around a date you’ll remember, such as a birthday.
- Check your health fund’s waiting periods and annual limits so you know what your extras cover includes.
- If you feel anxious, tell us when you book. We can take things slowly, and happy gas may be an option.
Frequently asked questions
Is once a year often enough to see the dentist?
For some people with healthy teeth and gums, a yearly check-up may be enough. Others need to come more often. Your dentist will recommend an interval based on your decay risk, gum health and general health.
Should I see the dentist more often if my gums bleed?
Bleeding gums are often an early sign of gum disease. Book a check-up rather than waiting, as your dentist may recommend a clean and more frequent reviews until your gums settle.
When should my child first see the dentist?
Children should start having check-ups from 12 months of age or when their first teeth appear. Early visits help them feel comfortable and let the dentist check how their teeth are developing.
Do I still need check-ups if I wear dentures?
Yes. Regular reviews let your dentist check the fit of your denture and examine your gums and the soft tissues of your mouth. Your dentist will suggest how often to come in.
Book your check-up
North Sydney Dentistry is at Level 1, Suite 102/71 Walker St, North Sydney, a two-minute walk from North Sydney station. We’re open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. Call (02) 8090 1108 or book online.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for advice from your own dentist or doctor. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.