Seeing The Dentist: Is The Six Month Rule Still Valid?

For most people, the six-month rule for dentist visits is something they learned since childhood. Of course, the problem with things we learned in maxims as children is that they sometimes turn out not to be true. So it is worth revisiting the old maxim about the six-month rule to see if it is, indeed, still valid.

For most people, the six-month rule for dentist visits is something they learned since childhood. It is as much a fabric of our knowledge as “stop, drop, and roll”. Of course, the problem with things we learned in maxims as children is that they sometimes turn out not to be true. Many an adult has grown up confused to learn that there is no such thing as a brontosaurus (scientifically speaking) or that everyone knew the world was round in Columbus’s age. So it is worth revisiting the old maxim about the six-month rule to see if it is, indeed, still valid.

First of all, why is it important to go to the dentist at all? After all, you’re brushing your teeth every day, using dental floss, and avoiding the sugary snacks and sodas that everyone knows can wreak havoc on the teeth. Is it really necessary to go see a professional unless something hurts? Most of us don’t go to the doctor with any particular regularity unless we have a specific condition that needs monitoring. Why should our teeth get better care than our overall health?

Two things are worth addressing here. First of all, most general practitioners would love to see their patients much more often than they do. Just because you’re slacking on your general checkups doesn’t mean you should extend your bad habits elsewhere. Second, things can go wrong with your teeth in a hurry. You can be doing everything right when it comes to oral hygiene and a cavity could still creep in. The most insidious part of that is the fact that the early stages of the worst kinds of dental problems come without pain. If you wait until you feel something, the treatment required is probably going to be much more extensive.

It is also worth noting that a trip to the dentist isn’t just about an examination. It should also consist of a good professional cleaning by the hygienists in the office. The tools and techniques they use to clean your teeth are beyond what you can do at home, and there is no real substitute for the plaque control methods they use in the dental office. If you don’t go in on a regular basis, you will be missing out on those benefits and putting yourself at further risk for tooth decay and gum disease.

With all that in mind, it can be said that the six month rule is certainly still valid and is one of those things we learn in childhood that can be confidently carried with us throughout our lives.

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