Regular dental checkups, also called oral evaluations, are routine visits to your dentist to assess your teeth, gums, and mouth. Everyone needs them, from toddlers to seniors, ideally every six months.

These visits help catch cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues early on. They also play a surprising role in your overall health, linking oral wellness to conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Here’s what you need to know about preventive dental care.

Introduction to preventive oral care

Developing good dental care habits early, such as preventive care, fosters healthier smiles for life. Preventive oral care saves both time and money by helping you avoid painful and expensive restorations down the road.

Seeing a dentist regularly aids in the early detection of oral diseases like cavities, gum infections, and even oral cancer. These conditions are far easier to treat when caught early. Plus, research shows oral health is linked to systemic health. ¹ In other words, maintaining a healthy mouth can help reduce overall health risks tied to diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.²

Dental insurance, especially with providers like MetLife, may cover checkups and cleanings at little to no cost. For example, with MetLife’s PPO, HMO, or TakeAlong dental plan, you could get two routine cleanings and exams per year covered at 100% in-network, depending on your plan benefits.

Understanding dental checkup frequency

It’s generally best to get a dental checkup every six months, but the frequency may vary depending on your age, risk factor for disease, and the state of your teeth and gums. Here’s a look at what might affect the frequency of your checkups depending on your age:

• Children: It’s best to speak with your child’s dentist to see if they need more frequent checkups. If your child is prone to cavities, your dentist will likely recommend better oral hygiene at home in between checkups.
• Adults: Your dentist may encourage or recommend quarterly visits if you have gum disease.
• Seniors: Since seniors are more likely to be at increased risk for dental diseases like periodontitis, if you are in this situation, your dentist might recommend more frequent checkups.³

It’s also important to consider other aspects of your physical health. For example, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer therapies can all increase your risk for gum problems and decay. In those cases, your dentist may recommend checkups every three months to proactively handle issues.^4,5,6

Skipping visits increases your risk of developing undetected issues, like cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer. Over time, these problems can become painful, more expensive to fix, and potentially greater threats to your overall health.

The role of dental X-rays in preventive care

X-rays show what’s hidden beneath the surface, providing invaluable information that a visual exam alone can’t. X-rays are often used to uncover decay between teeth, early signs of gum disease, impacted teeth, and bone loss. They can also detect abscesses, cysts, and tumors before symptoms appear, allowing for early intervention and better outcomes.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Food and Drug Administration, X-ray frequency depends on your oral health and age:

• Children with emerging teeth: Every 12 to 24 months
• Adults with healthy teeth: Every 18 to 36 months
• Those with risk factors or active disease: Every six to 18 months, based on need⁷

Preventive measures beyond the dental office

Protecting your oral health is important, and there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of developing a serious condition.

For starters, it’s important to practice daily oral hygiene by brushing with a soft-bristle brush for two minutes each time. It’s also crucial that you floss once a day to remove food particles and plaque that can build up between your teeth.⁸ Ask your dentist about the best home care plan for you.

Your diet and lifestyle choices can also have a significant impact on your oral health. Too much sugar fuels decay-causing bacteria. Additionally, smoking and drinking alcohol can increase your risk of developing gum disease and oral cancer.⁹

Best products for oral hygiene

Some products that may help reduce the risk of cavities and maintain oral hygiene include:

• Fluoride toothpaste (look for the ADA seal of acceptance)
• Antimicrobial mouthwash
• Electric or oscillating toothbrush⁸

Navigating dental insurance for preventive care

When choosing a dental insurance plan, it’s important to look at more than just the cost of coverage. Here’s what to keep in mind as you shop around and compare your options:

• Low or no-cost routine exams: Look for plans that fully or mostly cover preventive services like checkups and cleanings — these regular visits can help catch problems early and save money over time.
• Reasonable deductible and coinsurance rates: A lower deductible and coinsurance percentage mean you’ll pay less out of pocket when you need care beyond basic preventive services.
• In-network dentist access: Check to see if the dentists and providers you like are in the insurance plan’s network, or check for in-network dentists near you who are accepting new patients. Seeing an out-of-network provider can result in much higher costs.
• Emergency coverage: Dental emergencies can be painful and expensive, so it’s important to choose a plan that offers good coverage for urgent treatments like infections, injuries, or cracked teeth.
• Coverage for sealants or fluoride for children: If you have kids, check whether the plan includes preventive treatments like sealants or fluoride, which can help protect their teeth as they grow.
• Maximum annual benefit: Most plans have a yearly cap on how much they’ll pay. Choosing a higher annual maximum gives you more coverage in case you need major dental work.

As an example, MetLife dental PPO plans often cover 100% of two annual checkups and cleanings with in-network dentists.

Making the most of your preventive dental coverage

Once you’re set up with a dental insurance policy, here are some steps you can take to make the most of your coverage for routine care needs:

• Schedule checkups for the year.
• Visit in-network for the best coverage levels.
• Ask your insurer if preventive services like sealants or fluoride are covered.
• Track out-of-pocket amounts and know when your deductible is met.

Oral health issues and solutions

While regular dental checkups are important for catching oral health issues, it’s also important to pay attention to possible signs of disease and decay in between exams.

In particular, tooth decay may start out as sensitivity to hot or cold water or foods, sharp pains when biting down, and visible holes or dark spots on your teeth. Early signs of gum disease can include red, swollen, or bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, and shifting teeth.

Catching these issues early on and getting prompt treatment can help you avoid invasive procedures down the road. Some common oral health issues and their potential treatments include:

• Early decay: Your dentist may use a sealant or filling to manage early decay. Sealants are protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of molars to prevent cavities, while fillings are used to restore teeth that have already started to decay. Your dentist could also apply a substance that helps re-mineralize the tooth structure.
• Advanced cavities: In some cases, you may need a crown to restore and protect a weakened tooth. If you have tooth decay, you may need a root canal to remove infected pulp inside the tooth, or you may need an extraction, which involves removing a tooth that’s too damaged to save.¹⁰
• Gum disease: Deep cleanings, called scaling and root planing, can remove tartar below the gumline. In severe cases, though, surgical treatments may be necessary to repair gum tissue or reshape bone.¹¹
• Surgery: If you have progressive oral issues, you may need surgery to restore your dental health. Common procedures include gum grafts to treat recession, bone grafts to rebuild lost jawbone, and dental implants to replace missing teeth and restore function.¹²

Oral cancer screenings are also an important aspect of preventive dentistry. Your dentist will visually inspect your mouth tissue and use tools to detect suspicious patches, lumps, or sores. Early-stage oral cancers caught at a checkup can often be treated successfully, helping to prevent advanced disease.¹³

FAQs on preventive oral care

Here are answers to some common questions about preventive dental hygiene:

How can I overcome anxiety about dental visits?

Let your dentist know your concerns upfront and ask for their advice. Techniques like deep breathing, taking breaks, or using noise-canceling headphones can help ease anxiety. Sedation options like nitrous oxide might also help, especially for treatments.

Are there special considerations for dental care during pregnancy?

Pregnancy hormones can worsen gum inflammation, but the American Pregnancy Association recommends waiting until the second trimester to see a dentist. What’s more, try to avoid non-emergency dental work in the third trimester to minimize discomfort from lying on your back.

While the ADA and the American College of Radiology both indicate that X-rays are safe during pregnancy with the proper shielding, you may still choose to wait until after the birth.¹⁴

What should I do in between dental checkups to maintain oral health?

Focus on your daily brushing and flossing routine. Also, be sure to look out for warning signs, such as bleeding, pain, and swelling, and visit the dentist if anything seems off.

Dental checkups for better oral and overall health

While it may not seem like it, your mouth can be a mirror to your overall health. Starting dental checkups early and keeping up with a routine can help prevent disease, save money, and reduce systemic health risks.

Regular dental exams can help you catch problems early, avoid painful and costly treatments, and lower your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer.

Regardless of your dental history, it’s important to take proactive steps to maintain oral health. That includes booking routine exams at least twice a year, maintaining strong daily hygiene practices, watching for oral health issues, and choosing the right dental insurance plan that supports your preventive care needs.