Even if you take excellent care of your teeth and gums at home, you still need
to see a dentist regularly. Your dentist can check for problems that you may not see or feel. Many dental problems don’t become visible or cause pain until
they are in more advanced stages. Examples include cavities, gum disease
and oral cancer. Regular visits allow your dentist to find early signs of
disease. Problems can be treated at a manageable stage. On average, seeing a dentist twice a year works well for many people. Some
can get away with fewer visits. Others may need more frequent visits. People
with very little risk of cavities or gum disease can do fine seeing their dentist
just once a year. People with a high risk of dental disease might need to visit
every three or four months, or more. This high-risk group includes:  Smokers  Pregnant women  Diabetics  People with current gum disease  People with a weak immune response to bacterial infection  People who tend to get cavities or build up plaque