My dentist has always pushed the six-month thing, even when my teeth looked fine. I asked about stretching it out once, and she said it depends on your risk—if you’ve got braces (like me), or a history of cavities, they don’t usually budge. Honestly, I tried skipping an appointment during the pandemic and ended up with a couple of tiny cavities that showed up fast. Guess it proved her point.
I get what you’re saying about genetics though. My sister barely brushes and never gets cavities, but I’ve had issues since I was a kid. It’s not just about how well you brush or what you eat... sometimes your enamel just isn’t as strong.
The hassle of going in every six months is real, especially with work and school schedules. But for me, catching stuff early has saved a lot of pain (and money) in the long run. With braces, there’s more risk for plaque getting trapped too, so cleanings feel even more important now.
If your dentist thinks you’re low risk and you don’t have ortho work or gum issues, maybe once a year could work—but I’d be careful. The only time mine suggested longer between visits was after my braces came off and my gums had settled down.
I wouldn’t say it’s always worth the hassle for everyone, but if you’ve got dental drama in your family or hardware on your teeth, it might be one of those “better safe than sorry” things.
