Twice A Year
By Dr. Linda Niessen -- Baylor College of Dentistry STORY: TWICE A YEAR SCRIPT #511 SHOOT: 5/20/03 Daybreak and Midday DHC Master #17 Timecode: 56:28 For viewer inquiries:
Monday, June 09, 2003
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Do you really need to see a dentist twice a year? Don't drop your toothbrush when you hear this, but you may be okay with just a yearly check-up. Dr. Linda Niessen explains this new, some might say radical idea in today's segment of Dental Health Check.
Where does the twice a year idea come from? Years ago, it came from dental insurance companies who agreed to pay for two dental check-ups in a 12-month period. There is no doubt that regular visits help maintain healthy teeth and gums.
But the twice a year recommendation is one size that does not fit all patients.
"With a small percentage of people," says Dr. T. Bob Davis, "once a year would be okay with what they are doing if they don't change things." Dr. Davis is with the Academy of General Dentistry, which suggests looking at risk factors for each patient. "There are so many risk factors in dentistry for having dental disease," says Dr. Davis. Here are some risk factors to consider.
Dental Risk Factors
- Tobacco
- Medication that causes dry mouth
- Family history of gum disease
- Diabetes
- Planning a pregnancy
Tobacco, including spit tobacco puts you at risk for dental disease. So does medication of any kind that causes dry mouth. Or a family history of gum disease. Now you can take a genetic test to find out if you have a gene for periodontal disease. Also, if you have diabetes or if you are planning a pregnancy, dental check-ups are especially important. Gum disease may contribute to premature birth.
Dental patient Trish Clark vows to get twice a year check-ups after a long absence from the dental chair. "I would say it's been about 20 years since I've been. It's hard to find money for dentists. You know you'll be putting a little money down. But in the long run, it's worth it."
Dentists are recognizing that every person should be evaluated individually. For some, an annual examination may be enough. Baylor College of Dentistry For others, regular check-ups and four cleanings a year may be necessary. It depends on your risk. For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A & M System, I'm Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.
Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.
