How Often Should You Visit the Dentist? Advice for Markham Residents

"Do I really need to go every six months?"

It is one of the most common questions general dentists in Markham hear — and the honest answer is more nuanced than the standard response you might expect. The twice-yearly recommendation has been dental practice standard for decades, but what does the evidence actually say? And more practically, what is the right frequency for you as a Markham resident with your specific oral health history, lifestyle, and risk factors?

This guide gives you a straightforward, evidence-based answer — broken down by age, risk level, and individual circumstances — so you can make an informed decision about your dental care rather than just following a rule without understanding it.

The Origin of the "Twice a Year" Rule

The recommendation to visit the dentist every six months has been around since the early twentieth century — and its origins may surprise you. It was popularised not by clinical research but largely by a toothpaste advertising campaign in the 1950s that embedded the phrase "see your dentist twice a year" into public consciousness.

Does that mean the recommendation is wrong? Not exactly. But it does mean the evidence behind it is thinner than most people assume.

A 2020 Cochrane Review — one of the most rigorous forms of medical evidence review — found that the available research on whether six-monthly versus twelve-monthly or risk-based dental visits produces better outcomes is limited and inconclusive. A 2023 scoping review published in a peer-reviewed journal concluded that for most adults with good oral health, the evidence for strict six-monthly visits over annual or risk-based schedules is weak.

What the evidence does consistently support is this: regular dental attendance — at whatever appropriate interval — produces significantly better oral health outcomes than visiting only when something hurts. People who attend for routine check-ups have fewer missing teeth, fewer untreated cavities, and better long-term oral health than those who only visit in emergencies.

The frequency is not one-size-fits-all. But regular attendance matters enormously.

So How Often Should You Actually Go?

The most accurate answer is: as often as your individual risk level warrants — which your general dentist in Markham determines based on a full assessment of your oral health. Here is a practical breakdown.

Low-Risk Adults: Once or Twice Per Year

If you are a healthy adult with no history of gum disease, no cavities in recent years, good home hygiene habits, and no significant risk factors, annual visits may be entirely appropriate. Some patients with consistently excellent oral health visit every 12–18 months without negative outcomes.

That said, most general dental practices in Markham — including Hwy7 Family Dentistry — recommend six-monthly visits as the default for adults because they allow for:

• Detection of early-stage cavities before they require fillings

• Monitoring of gum health before gingivitis progresses to periodontitis

• Professional removal of tartar that builds up despite regular brushing

• Oral cancer screening — a check that takes under two minutes and can be lifesaving

• Updating X-rays to catch issues invisible to the naked eye

  
  

The cost of a missed cavity that requires a root canal or crown is significantly higher — financially and in terms of treatment complexity — than two routine check-ups per year. Prevention is consistently cheaper than treatment.

High-Risk Adults: Every 3–4 Months

Certain health and lifestyle factors significantly increase your risk of dental disease and warrant more frequent visits. You are in a higher-risk category if you:

• Smoke or use tobacco in any form

• Have been diagnosed with diabetes (especially Type 2)

• Have a history of gum disease (periodontitis)

• Have a compromised immune system

• Take medications that cause dry mouth (many antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure medications)

• Have a history of frequent cavities

• Are undergoing cancer treatment (chemotherapy or radiation affecting the head and neck)

• Consume high levels of sugar or acidic foods and beverages regularly

  
  

For patients in these categories, visits every three to four months allow the dental team to stay ahead of problems that progress more quickly. Your general dentist in Markham will assess your specific risk profile and recommend an appropriate schedule.

Pregnant Patients: At Least Twice During Pregnancy

Pregnancy causes significant hormonal changes that increase the risk of gum inflammation — a condition called pregnancy gingivitis — and can accelerate the progression of existing gum disease. Research has also established a connection between severe gum disease and pre-term birth.

The Ontario Dental Association recommends that pregnant patients maintain their regular check-up schedule and ideally have a dental visit in each trimester. Routine check-ups and cleanings are safe throughout pregnancy. Elective cosmetic procedures are best deferred, but preventive care should not be postponed.

How Often Should Children Visit the Dentist in Markham?

For most children, the recommendation is every six months once their first tooth has erupted — beginning with a first visit by their first birthday or within six months of the first tooth appearing, whichever comes first. This aligns with the Canadian Dental Association guidelines.

Children are at higher risk of cavities than adults for several reasons: their tooth enamel is thinner and more porous, their diet tends to be higher in sugar, and their brushing technique is typically less thorough. Six-monthly visits allow the dental team to:

• Apply fluoride varnish to strengthen developing enamel

• Place dental sealants on back teeth to prevent cavity formation in grooves

• Monitor eruption patterns and identify early orthodontic concerns

• Reinforce brushing and flossing technique with the child directly

  
  

If your child has a history of cavities or elevated decay risk, your Markham dentist may recommend visits every three to four months. For more on what children's dental appointments involve, see our detailed guide on what to expect at your child's first dentist visit in Markham.

How Often Should Seniors Visit the Dentist?

Older adults face a distinct set of oral health challenges that make regular dental care particularly important:

• Root exposure and root decay — gum recession exposes the softer root surface of teeth, which decays faster than enamel

• Dry mouth — extremely common in seniors due to multiple medications; saliva is a natural cavity-fighter, so reduced flow significantly increases decay risk

• Worn enamel — decades of use thin the enamel, increasing sensitivity and fracture risk

• Denture and implant maintenance — prosthetics require regular professional assessment

• Oral cancer risk — incidence increases significantly with age

  
  

For most healthy seniors, six-monthly visits remain appropriate. Those on multiple medications, with reduced manual dexterity affecting home care, or with existing dental restorations requiring monitoring may benefit from more frequent visits.

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) covers dental check-ups and cleanings for eligible seniors, making regular attendance more accessible for many Markham residents. If you or an elderly family member is eligible, choosing a registered CDCP provider in Markham means routine preventive care is covered at reduced or no cost.

What Actually Happens at a Routine Dental Visit in Markham?

Many people avoid routine dental appointments partly because they are not sure what to expect — or they assume nothing useful will happen if nothing hurts. Here is what a standard check-up and cleaning at a general dental practice in Markham covers:

Dental Examination Your dentist performs a thorough visual inspection of all teeth, gums, and soft tissues. They look for: cavities, cracks, worn fillings or crowns, signs of gum disease, jaw issues, and any unusual tissue changes. A routine exam also includes an oral cancer screening — checking the tongue, cheeks, throat, and lymph nodes for any changes.

X-Rays (as needed) Bitewing X-rays are typically taken annually or every 18–24 months for most adult patients, allowing the dentist to see between teeth and below the gumline where visual inspection cannot reach. X-ray frequency is adjusted based on your individual risk level and history.

Professional Cleaning (Scale and Polish) Even with excellent brushing and flossing, tartar (calcified plaque) builds up in areas that home care cannot reach — particularly below the gumline and between teeth. A dental hygienist removes this tartar using specialised instruments, then polishes the teeth to remove surface staining and smooth the enamel surface. This cleaning is the most direct way to prevent gum disease progression.

Fluoride Treatment (where appropriate) For patients with elevated cavity risk — including many children, seniors, and those with dry mouth — a topical fluoride application may be recommended after cleaning. It is quick, painless, and significantly strengthens enamel against decay.

Personalised Advice A good general dentist in Markham uses your check-up not just to assess but to educate — discussing any changes in your oral health since your last visit, refining your home care routine, and flagging anything that warrants monitoring before it becomes a problem.

The Cost of Skipping Dental Visits in Markham

The financial argument for regular dental visits is compelling. Consider the contrast:

A routine check-up and cleaning in Ontario costs approximately $200–$300 out of pocket (covered in full or part by most dental insurance plans and the CDCP for eligible patients).

Compare that to:

• A filling: $150–$300 per tooth

• A root canal: $800–$1,500

• A dental crown: $1,000–$2,000

• A dental implant: $3,000–$6,000+

Every one of these treatments addresses a problem that, caught earlier at a routine visit, could have been managed with a simple filling — or prevented entirely with fluoride and advice.

Skipping two check-ups per year to save $400–$600 is a false economy. The patients who avoid routine care consistently face the highest treatment costs over time.

What If I Haven't Been to the Dentist in Years?

If it has been more than two years since your last dental visit — or longer — the right response is not to delay further out of embarrassment or anxiety. General dentists in Markham see patients who have been away for years on a regular basis, and the first priority is always to understand where your oral health currently stands, not to judge the gap.

At Hwy7 Family Dentistry, we welcome patients at every stage — including those returning after a long absence. A comprehensive new-patient examination gives us a full picture of your oral health so we can create a realistic, prioritised treatment plan that fits your schedule and budget.

If you have dental anxiety that has contributed to the gap, our team has extensive experience in managing anxious patients with patience and without pressure. For urgent or painful situations that cannot wait, we also offer emergency dental care in Markham.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you go to the dentist?  For most healthy adults, every six months is the standard recommendation and works well for the majority of patients. However, individuals with low oral disease risk may visit annually, while those with gum disease, diabetes, or other risk factors may need visits every three to four months. The right frequency for you is best determined by your general dentist in Markham based on a full oral health assessment.

Is twice a year dentist visits necessary?  The strict twice-yearly rule is not supported by strong clinical evidence for all patients. What is strongly supported is that regular dental attendance — at whatever appropriate interval — produces significantly better oral health outcomes than visiting only when symptoms appear. For most people, twice yearly is a practical, effective, and cost-efficient default. Your dentist can tell you whether your specific situation warrants more or fewer visits.

What happens if you skip dental check-ups?  Cavities, gum disease, and oral infections progress silently — meaning they cause no pain until they reach an advanced stage. Patients who skip routine check-ups consistently face more complex, expensive, and uncomfortable treatments when problems are eventually discovered. Early-stage issues caught at routine visits cost a fraction of the treatment required once they advance.

Does the Canadian Dental Care Plan cover routine check-ups in Markham?  Yes — the CDCP covers dental examinations and cleanings for eligible Canadian residents who do not have private dental insurance and whose adjusted family net income is under $90,000. If you qualify, choosing a registered CDCP provider in Markham means routine preventive care is significantly subsidised. Ask your dental practice whether they are registered before booking.

Should I still go to the dentist if nothing hurts?  Absolutely. Most dental problems — including cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer — cause no pain until they reach an advanced stage. A pain-free mouth is not necessarily a healthy mouth. Routine check-ups are specifically designed to catch problems before they become symptomatic.

How do I find a good general dentist in Markham? Look for a practice that offers comprehensive preventive care, transparent pricing, direct insurance billing, convenient hours, and a clear process for new patients. For a complete guide to choosing the right practice for your family, see our guide to choosing a family dentist in Markham.

Book Your Check-Up With a General Dentist in Markham

Whether you are overdue for a routine visit, new to Markham and looking for a trusted general dentist, or returning after a gap in care — the best time to book is now.

Hwy7 Family Dentistry is located at 4560 Hwy 7 E, Unit 500, Unionville, Markham. We provide comprehensive general dentistry for patients of all ages and are currently welcoming new patients. We offer extended hours including Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings to fit around busy Markham schedules.

📞 Call us at (905) 604-1995 🌐 Book your appointment online