For most people, this works: once a year for a check-up and every six months for dental hygiene. But the right interval depends on your risk, not on the calendar. With healthy teeth and healthy gums, the intervals may be longer. With periodontitis, an increased risk of decay, implants or fixed braces, shorter ones make sense. Which interval suits you, we decide together at the check-up.
Updated: 14 November 2026
- Check-up: once a year for most people.
- Dental hygiene: every six months for most people.
- Your risk decides, not the calendar.
What determines the interval
| Your situation | Check-up | Dental hygiene |
|---|---|---|
| healthy teeth, healthy gums | once a year | every six to twelve months |
| gingivitis, a lot of tartar, smoking | once a year | every six months |
| increased risk of decay, fixed braces, implants | as agreed, often every six months | every four to six months |
| periodontitis, in aftercare | according to the treatment plan | every three to four months |
| pregnancy | one check-up | one dental hygiene appointment |
The interval between two dental hygiene appointments that suits most people.
recommendation of Zahnlounge, as on the dental hygiene pageWhat research says
A Cochrane review from 2020 compared fixed check-ups every six months with intervals based on personal risk in adults over four years. For decay, bleeding gums and quality of life, there was no measurable difference. That does not speak against the check-up. It speaks for setting the interval according to your risk rather than a fixed schedule. That is exactly how we do it.
“Nothing hurts. Why should I come for a check-up?”
Because decay and periodontitis do not hurt for a long time. Pain usually only comes when a lot of tooth or bone has already been lost. Seen early, almost everything can be treated with little effort. Read more in “Tooth decay: how to recognise it, and what helps”.
Check-up and dental hygiene: two appointments, one visit
At the check-up, the dentist assesses teeth, gums and the lining of the mouth. During dental hygiene, plaque and tartar are removed, including where the brush cannot reach. Both can be combined in one visit. What dental hygiene costs with us, you can read in “How much does dental hygiene cost in Zurich?”.
Has it been a while? Dental hygiene with a check-up takes about an hour and shows where you stand.
Book dental hygiene with check-upAnd children?
Children are best seen once a year for a check-up, more often with an increased risk of decay. For children and teenagers we offer a dental hygiene appointment of their own.
