Should You Have Regular Dental Cleanings?
When it comes to maintaining good oral hygiene, regular dental cleanings are essential. But how often should you be visiting your dentist for a professional cleaning? While opinions vary, most dentists recommend scheduling an appointment every six months to ensure that your teeth remain healthy and free from unwanted plaque buildup.
In this blog post, we’ll break down the pros and cons of scheduling more frequent or less frequent cleanings as well as discuss what factors can influence how often you should be seeing a dentist for a cleaning. Whether you’re looking to stay on top of your oral health routine or want to know when it might be appropriate for additional visits, read on!
If you want to protect your teeth and have a brilliant smile, you should regularly see your dentist for dental cleanings. These visits let your dentist examine your teeth to spot problems that give you pain and to troubleshoot issues that could bother you in the future.
What to Expect from a Dental Exam and Cleaning
Dental cleanings and exams are the best way to keep up with your dental health. Here’s what you can expect during your visit:
- Examination
Here’s where your dentist checks the overall state of your mouth. He’ll look at your teeth and gums, searching for cavities and gingivitis. The dentist will also take X-rays periodically that check for cavities, cracks, emerging teeth, and other dental conditions.
- Cleaning
Clean teeth are more likely to stay healthy. During a cleaning, your dentist or dental hygienist will:
- Remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums with a manual or electronic scraping tool
- Brush teeth with a high-power toothbrush and gritty toothpaste that remove leftover plaque and tartar
- Floss teeth to remove any remaining tartar or toothpaste
- Rinse mouth with water and liquid fluoride to remove debris
- Coat teeth with fluoride varnish to help prevent cavities
- While few people say they love going to the dentist for an exam or cleaning, most easily tolerate their appointment. Some patients even love how fresh and clean their teeth feel after routine visits.
Why Regular Dental Care is Important
The World Health Organization (WHO) says 3.5 billion people worldwide suffer oral diseases. As you age, oral health plays a large part in your overall health. The likelihood of cavities and periodontal disease grows and you age, increasing your need for regular dental exams and cleaning. But how many times each year should you visit your dentist?
The American Dental Association says your dentist should determine the correct intervals between dental visits. That decision will be based on your health history, particularly risk factors for periodontal disease, including smoking, diabetes, and interleukin-1 genetic variations. High-risk patients will likely be advised to schedule dental appointments every six or three months, while low-risk patients will most benefit from annual visits.
Dental cleanings are important for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. However, you may not need to have them as often as you think. According to the American Dental Association, most people only need to get their teeth cleaned every six months. Of course, this recommendation is based on a general average – your individual needs may vary depending on your oral health history.
If you have any questions or concerns about how often you should be getting dental cleanings, talk to your dentist at your next appointment. They will be able to give you specific recommendations based on your unique situation.