How Often Should I Visit My Dentist?

You want to keep a healthy smile. How often should you visit Dr. Joseph DuRoss, your dentist in Long Beach, CA? He and his dedicated team of professionals partner with you in maintaining good oral health. Read on to learn the whys, hows and how often of preventive dentistry.

At-home care

The American Dental Association (ADA) promotes a simple rule: brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes, and floss around them daily. These oral hygiene habits eliminate bad breath, remove dental stains and reduce plaque and tartar. Because of their indwelling bacteria, plaque and tartar cause tooth decay and gum disease, both major causes of tooth loss. So regular at-home care is key to preventing oral health issues.

In-office care

Both the ADA and Dr. DuRoss agree that most patients (toddlers through adults of senior age) should visit the dentist twice a year. A semi-annual hygienic cleaning removes the plaque and tartar that brushing alone cannot. The hygienist looks for any signs of gum disease, decay and oral cancer, and takes X-rays as scheduled.

Then, your Long Beach dentist performs his examination. Complete check-ups uncover signs of decay, gum disease and oral cancer early before they become complex and harder to treat.

Here are the assessments Dr. DuRoss performs with every six-month examination:

• A check for tooth decay and signs of gum disease
• An assessment of existing restorations such as crowns, fillings, dental implants and veneers
• A check of dental bite (how teeth come together) and jaw joint function
• Visual inspection of gums, tongue, lips, the back of the throat and more for signs of oral cancer

Dr. DuRoss will share his findings with you and explain what preventive, restorative and cosmetic care you need to have bright, healthy teeth and gums going forward.

A note on emergency care

If you or a loved one suffer a cracked tooth, throbbing toothache or other dental emergencies, call Dr. DuRoss right away for first aid advice and an appointment if necessary. Urgent dental matters are always a reason to see your family dentist.

Find out more

Benjamin Franklin said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Visiting Dr. DuRoss semi-annually (or as often as he advises) protects your smile for life. To arrange your regular cleaning and examination. please call the office at (562) 424-8537.