We all know a visit to the Dentist usually ends up with a numb mouth, painful gums and a seriously battered bank balance. But just how often should you get your teeth checked out? Some Dentists insist on six monthly checks, while an annual inspection is recommended by others. New guidelines in Britain, where there is a chronic shortage of dentists, suggests every two years is suffice. So who's right?

What do others think?

At least once every 12 months, in my opinion.

Every twelves months is probably a good rule of thumb, if you have no issues with your teeth. If you have problem teeth, gum disease, diabetes or other risk factors, the dentist would probably recommend more frequent visits.

I agree with Raven. I have diabetes and the dentist told me annual visits would be enough, so evry 12 months I see him.

Of course before this I went a shocking 12 years without seeing a dentist, but only had 1 rotten tooth in that whole time.

mmm I think 6 months... I'm always shocked how much can change in that time and often we need a good reminded to floss every night. Its worth noting to definitely go during pregnancy before the little one comes... 1 your gums change during this time and 2) its virtually impossible after!

I just heard on the radio that teeth should be checked once a year by the dentist. Having teeth checked every 6 months was a marketing campaign dreamt up by a toothpaste company and the public have fallen for this line ever since.

yea I reckon 12 monthly by that time you would of saved enough to pay for the visit.

I think every 12 months. But then I had gone to the dentist as i needed a filling and a back tooth extracted. With me also got a baby on the way, i was abit hesitant but they reassured me it was going to be ok, I wasnt scared to get the filling done but had never had a tooth pulled. They ran into complications pulling my tooth, it kept snapping and wouldnt numb the tooth properly after 3 needles so I am pretty terriied to go back to the dentist after that experiance!

I still cant figure the difference between a doctor and a dentist consultation $$$ Subsidy or stupidity ???

I think once a year but I don't practice what I preach. I find it too expensive, maybe if it was cheaper we would check our teeth more frequently.