How Often Should I Get My Teeth Cleaned?

The standard of care for professional dental cleanings has always been every 6 months. Today, this still holds true for most patients. Studies have repeatedly shown that those who go to regular dental visits are less likely to have the need for dental restoration or to need a tooth removed.

Are Dental Cleanings Necessary?

For many at home dental care can be a breeze, but for others it is a constant struggle. Our daily lives can get in the way of even the simplest tasks such as our oral hygiene. Having regular professional teeth cleaning removes plaque, the soft yellowish build-up, and calculus (hardened plaque) that only dental tools can remove. This soft build-up is made up of billions of different types of bacteria that live and reproduce in our mouth by feeding on the food we eat. Also by releasing acids that if left alone will damage our teeth and periodontal tissues.

Most bacteria co-exists in our bodies without causing too much trouble to our health and well-being. However, certain bacteria in dental plaque, when they grow in numbers, can lead to tooth decay or periodontal disease. A professional dental cleaning will reduce your chances of developing tooth decay or periodontal disease by significantly reducing the amount of plaque, calculus, and bacteria in your mouth.

How Often Should I Go?

As a dentist, my patients often ask me how regularly they should come in to get their teeth cleaned. My response is usually: “That depends”. For most people I say every 6 months is the right number. Although some people cannot maintain proper dental hygiene on their own or they develop calculus faster than others. So for those patients, I will recommend a schedule of every 3 months. This means 2 extra visits a year to maintain their dental health, which should not feel like a lot. This will reduce a person's chances of developing tooth decay and periodontal disease over the long haul.

Factors Affecting Dental Hygiene

We know that certain lifestyle choices can affect a person’s risk of developing tooth decay and periodontal disease. These are some questions that will help you discern whether you are at an increased risk:

-Does your drinking water contain Fluoride? Is this your main source of drinking water?

-Do you frequently snack, including on sweets?

-Are you a regular flosser?

-Do you brush your teeth at least twice a day?

-Do you visit your dentist for toothaches rather than routine examinations?

-Have you had multiple teeth with tooth decay at your last few dental visits?

-Is your dentist “watching” a lot of teeth with early tooth decay?

-Do you have to wear a denture or undergoing orthodontic treatment?

-Do you develop excessive amounts of calculus quickly?

-Do you suffer from a chronic long-term health condition such as diabetes?

-Do you suffer from a xerostomia (dry mouth)?

If you were able to answer “yes” to most of the questions above, you should see your dentist and dental hygienist at least every six months. If not more often based on your dentist’s recommendations. Following a professional cleaning, if you are more likely to develop tooth decay, use a fluoride treatment following the removal of plaque and calculus. Studies have shown that professional fluoride treatments every six months can lead to about a 30% reduction in the development of tooth decay.

Dental Health = Overall Health

Patients with chronic health issues such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes will need to see their dentists more frequently. This is because they are much more susceptible to periodontal disease. If patients are taking blood thinners and other medications, such as for osteoporosis, they may need to visit the dentist more regularly as well. These medications can complicate the process of a tooth extraction or other dental work, so regular dental checks and cleanings are best to help detect problems before they become serious.

Do You Have Financial Concerns?

The cost of seeing your dentist and dental hygienist 2-4 times per year will be far less expensive than restoring your teeth long-term. Routine dental health maintenance is the best insurance you have to maintain a healthy smile.

Protecting Your Smile

Parents should set a good example for their children by making regular dental and cleaning appointments for the whole family. Ultimately, only you can choose what you feel is right for you and your family. Maintaining a healthy smile that will last a lifetime is important to most people.