Maintenance ScheduleHealth
How often should you have a dental check-up?
The old “every 6 months for everyone” rule is not what the NHS advises now. Your dentist looks at your teeth, gums and risk factors and suggests the next date, anywhere from 3 months to 2 years.
The answer
Have a dental check-up as often as your dentist advises, usually every 6 to 12 months for a healthy adult.
Range: 3 months to 2 years · checked 6 November 2026
Typical interval
What changes it
- Good oral health and low risk: 12 to 24 months may be enough.
- Gum disease, decay, smoking or a dry mouth: shorter intervals.
- Under-18s should be seen at least once a year.
- Pregnancy, diabetes and some medicines change the advice; tell your dentist.
Do it
- Book the next check-up before you leave the surgery.
- Keep brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between the teeth.
- Tell the dentist about any bleeding, pain or sensitivity.
- Ask for the next interval in writing if you are not sure.
Put it in your schedule
The maker opens with Dental Checkup at every 6 months.
No account. The maker keeps the job in your browser and in the link.
Why this interval
The sources below give the full picture. The factors above are the ones that move the interval for most situations.
The range is a starting point, not a rule for every situation. The factors above are the ones the sources name; if your situation is different, use the range and ask a professional where the job needs one.
If you want the job in a schedule with reminders, open the schedule maker with this job already loaded. The how often index has the other jobs.
Dental Checkup questions
What changes the interval?
Good oral health and low risk: 12 to 24 months may be enough. Gum disease, decay, smoking or a dry mouth: shorter intervals. Under-18s should be seen at least once a year. Pregnancy, diabetes and some medicines change the advice; tell your dentist.
Does the app use this interval?
The app’s ready-made schedule uses every 6 months. You can change it on the job.
Where does this come from?
The answer is checked against one primary source, linked under Sources with the date each was read.
Sources
The interval and the factors on this page are checked against this source.
- Dental check-ups. NHS.A check-up interval set by the dentist, commonly 6 to 24 months. Checked 6 November 2026.