To have beautiful and healthy teeth, it is essential to have them checked by a dentist at least twice a year, more often if you have a high risk of cavities or specific health problems. Unfortunately, fear of the dentist remains deeply rooted, and it can be difficult to take the plunge, especially if you don’t yet have a “treating” dentist. You must therefore choose your practitioner carefully in order to establish a lasting relationship of trust with them. Long-lasting, because it is important to have regular dental checkups, both for the health of your teeth and gums, but also for your general health.

If you don’t have a “family” dentist because your dentist has gone out of business or you’ve moved, here are some tips for finding a dentist you can trust completely:

Ask for advice from those around you and health professionals who know you well : your doctor, pharmacist, physiotherapist, etc. Those around you will be able to tell you which dentist is easy to talk to, and health professionals will direct you to competent dentists.

Check the dentist’s proximity and appointment hours : If their office is too far from your home or workplace, you’ll tend to postpone appointments indefinitely. And if they don’t see you on Saturdays, but their weekday hours prevent you from going, that could also be complicated.

Depending on the guarantees provided by your mutual insurance company , some excess fees are not covered. And consultation fees for non-contracted dentists are not fully reimbursed by health insurance. It is therefore best to check the dentist’s status before making an appointment, to avoid unpleasant surprises when paying for the consultation.

Why have your teeth checked?

A dental check-up with your dentist is essential for:

have your teeth scaled, which protects you against gingivitis , which can develop into periodontitis , the consequences of which (disappearance of the gum, loss of teeth, impact on general health) are irreversible and sometimes serious;

Check that you do not have cavities and, if necessary, treat them .  And an untreated cavity can cause serious damage to health, because it allows the spread of bacteria throughout the body, which can ultimately lead to sepsis;

monitor tooth wear and implement preventive measures if necessary.

How often should you have your teeth checked?

Dentists recommend having your teeth checked twice a year, provided you don’t have any particular health issues. Six months is the average time it takes for a cavity to progress from stage 1 to stage 3, which allows the tooth to remain alive. This interval also allows for effective treatment of bacterial plaque before it mineralizes into tartar.