How often should you get your teeth cleaned? That’s a crucial question, as neglecting your teeth can have repercussions far beyond your smile; it can affect your overall well-being. Research has shown that poor oral health is linked to serious conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, highlighting the benefits of maintaining good dental hygiene.
While daily brushing and flossing are essential, other parts of dental care shouldn’t be overlooked – such as regular check-ups and professional cleanings. In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know about dental cleanings: what to expect, how often you should schedule them, their numerous benefits, and more. Let’s dive in!
The Ideal Dental Cleaning Schedule
Experts generally recommend scheduling professional cleanings every six months or twice a year. However, this frequency can vary based on individual circumstances. If you smoke or have specific underlying health issues, you might benefit from more frequent visits. It’s always best to consult your dentist for a personalized evaluation and tailored recommendations.
Risk Factors for More Frequent Cleanings
Certain risk factors can make more frequent professional dental cleanings necessary. Consider the following:
- High-sugar diet: Sugary foods can lead to cavities.
- Fluoride-free toothpaste: Lack of fluoride may reduce cavity protection.
- Fluoride-free water: Ensure your water has fluoride for added defense.
- Inconsistent brushing: Not brushing twice daily can lead to plaque buildup.
- Skipping flossing: Flossing is essential for removing food between teeth.
- Neglecting check-ups: Regular visits are crucial to detect any issues early.
- Frequent fillings: A history of fillings may indicate ongoing dental problems.
- Dentures or braces/invisalign: These can require special care and cleaning.
- Dry mouth: This condition incredibly increases the risk of tooth decay.
- Chronic diseases: Conditions like diabetes can affect oral health.
- Periodontal disease: This can worsen without regular professional care. Typically, after treating this, it is recommended to have cleanings every 3 months.
If any of the above sounds like you, you may need dental cleanings at least twice a year or even more frequently, based on your dentist’s advice.
What to Expect During a Teeth Cleaning
What happens during dental cleanings? The process is simple, gentle, and usually pain-free. We’ve outlined some basic steps below.
- First, a professional will examine your teeth. At Advanced Dental Arts, we use digital dental X-rays to identify any underlying issues.
- One of our hygienists will remove tarter and plaque buildup. By hand using specialized instruments or cavitron or both.
- Next, they will clean, polish, and floss your teeth.
- Review hygiene and hygiene methods with you.
- Lastly, they’ll apply fluoride to your teeth to strengthen them and prevent decay.
Prioritize Your Oral Health With Advanced Dental Arts
At the end of the day, even if you have healthy teeth and maintain a regular brushing and flossing routine, professional cleanings are still essential. Why? Because there are hard-to-reach areas in your mouth where plaque can build up, potentially leading to cavities, decay, and gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis. Specialized instruments are used to get to certain areas.
Regular cleanings also allow your dentist to identify any underlying issues early, helping prevent more serious – and costly – problems down the line. Prioritizing professional dental care is a key step in maintaining your overall oral health. Got a question? Contact us or make an appointment with the team at Advanced Dental Arts for expert care and tailored recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How often should I have my teeth professionally cleaned?
At least twice a year, and more regularly, if you have underlying conditions, have periodontal disease, are a smoker, or have a high sugar diet. - Is teeth cleaning every 3 months too much?
No. However, speak to your dentist. They can give you a personalized evaluation to help identify the correct cleaning schedule based on your dental health specifically. - How often do you really need to clean your teeth?
You should brush twice daily for at least two minutes at a time with a soft brush and floss at least once a day, preferably at the end of the day. - How often should I get my teeth cleaned by a dentist?
Depending on your dental health, at least once every six months or more.
