Dental hygiene appts - how often?

Hi, just wondering about dental hygiene visits here.

Back home I would go twice a year, and have a dentist check my teeth on one of the visits.

Here my husband and son were told at different surgeries that they should go once a year for their cleanings and check up.

We go home every summer so it's no problem to have them cleaned the second time there, but I was just wondering if anyone knew if we were given the right advice?

Btw, both dentists that gave the 1x a year advice were private providers, not NHS.

Once a year was what I was told, and I was fine with it.

I have private dental insurance and get two checkups/cleanings per year.

I go to an NHS dentist, and I go two times a year for a clean, polish, and check.

My (private) dentist recommends 2x a year as well

Thanks everyone. I always thought it was twice a year as well. My son has had serious dental problems, so I like to be proactive about it now.

Hygiene visits are prescribed here, so if we are not able to access the second appointment in the UK we can always have it done back at home.

I've developed gum problems and have to have ultra-cleanings with periodontist's hygienist alternating with regular hygienist -- total of four cleanings per year. My (US) dental insurance covers most of this (as it was advised by periodontist).  I have misgivings about how much treatment I will be able to get when I move back to the UK with either NHS or private dentist. And do not intend to fly back and forth just for scaling and polish. 

I have an NHS dentist, but private hygienist.  I have gum issues as well, and I need to see the hygienist 3 times a year.

I have a private dentist and have a hygiene and dental checkup (45 minutes) every three months.

I pay £30 a month for membership to the practice which gives me the preventative care.  Should I need work, I get a 20% discount.  I also get worldwide insurance.

I am very happy with the standard of care.  It is more "high tech" than my US dentist, and the dentist goes to great lengths to explain what is going on and why he is suggesting firther treatment (which I ignore).

My children are registered at the same practice as NHS patients and have 5 minute appointments which I am uneasy about.  One DD has been prescribed extra fluoride treatments, but the others don't seem to need anything extra.

I have an NHS dentist who was happy to have me come in every 3 months. I have had gum issues in the past, and in the US saw my regular dentist 2x per year and the periodontist 2x per year, so was seeing someone every 3 months.

I explained this to the NHS dentist, and he said no problem maintaining that schedule.

That's encouraging, vadio.
I saw a different hygienist recently and she told me that if you have lots of "man-made" materials in your mouth you are more likely to have gum issues. I'd never heard that before. This periodontist is very keen on those GUM stimulators  (sounds a bit doubtful!  ) but not sure if it's doing much good.

My dental insurance in the US covered very little of my periodontal treatment; luckily we could afford the cost, which wasn't cheap. If I feel that I need to have a bit more intensive work, then it will be private here and off to Manchester. Up to now, I am very happy with the NHS practice and the level of care, as is my DH.

Interesting about the amount of man-made materials potentially causing gum issues. I come from a family of 'soft teeth' and one dentist years back said some of us lack certain enzymes in saliva which helps prevent cavities and other issues. I know some early problems in childhood were down to poor hygiene, overlapping, slightly twisted lower teeth (and no $$ for orthodontia) and the general standard of dentistry back in the 1950's. Then came the era of 'pull don't treat' so I lost teeth in the late 60's that would have been saved via a root canal or other treatment. So a LOT of man-made stuff in my mouth.

But back to the topic - discuss your needs with your dentist, and if the practice won't see you as often as you think necessary, IMHO, look for another practice.

That's encouraging, vadio.
I saw a different hygienist recently and she told me that if you have lots of "man-made" materials in your mouth you are more likely to have gum issues. I'd never heard that before. This periodontist is very keen on those GUM stimulators  (sounds a bit doubtful!  ) but not sure if it's doing much good.

I have been a dental hygienist for 33 years and that would depend on what those man made materials are, if you have a lot of veneers or bridge work or implants then yes maybe it could help contribute to plaque build up, even some poorly placed fillings could do this.

If you have a propensity to gum disease then you should be having your teeth cleaned by a Dental Hygienist at least 4x a year( which you are doing), brushing after every meal and before going to bed (5x day total) with a tartar control toothpaste, I personally prefer Colgate Total(I have seen the difference it makes), flossing at least once a day. I am not sure what if any benefit gum stimulators would make.

We have a private dentist and go 2x per year for a cleaning and check-up.

I have an NHS dentist and go twice a year for check-up and (some) cleaning.  At the same office I can pay £20 to have the hygienist do a more thorough clean and polish, so I do that twice a year as well.