How Often Should You Get a Dental Cleaning?

When was the last time you visited your dentist to have your teeth cleaned? 

It doesn’t matter how well you brush and floss your teeth at home, there are many hiding places within your mouth for plaque to build up — eventually wreaking havoc on your oral health. This is why professional dental cleanings are so important. 

But, how often should you have your teeth cleaned so that you make sure you maintain your oral health? 

How Often Should You Get Your Teeth Cleaned?

The American Dental Association recommends getting a dental cleaning once every six months, at least. Most dentists tend to follow this same rule of thumb with their patients. However, because they see them in their office, they are able to take a few additional personal factors into consideration. 

Some patients have a greater risk of oral health issues. To ensure the teeth and gums stay as healthy as possible, dentists may recommend a cleaning every 3 months. This includes those who: 

• Have poor oral hygiene or poor oral health
• Have any stage of gum disease (periodontitis)
• Are smokers
• Indulge in a lot of sugary, sweet foods

Next time you visit your dentist, ask how often they recommend you come in for a cleaning based on your oral health needs. 

What You Can Expect at Dental Cleaning

If it has been a while since you have had a dental cleaning or if you have never had one at all, you may be wondering what to expect. What does dental cleaning entail? 

While it may vary slightly between each dental office, the idea is always the same— dental cleaning by a skilled hygienist and an oral examination by the dentist. Every now and then, you may have some digital imaging done, too, so that your dentist can see beyond what the naked eye can see. 

It is rather quick and should have you in and out in about an hour. Should your dentist discover any areas of concern during the examination, a treatment plan will be developed so that they can be addressed before progressing. 

Advantages of Dental Cleanings

There are many advantages to getting a routine dental cleaning — aside from that fresh, clean feeling you get when you walk out of your dentist’s office. Below are just a few. 

• Be able to spot and address dental issues early before they get too advanced and require more in-depth treatment. (This can save you money, too!)
• Remove the buildup of plaque and tartar throughout your mouth. This, in turn, reduces the risk of the damage they can cause. 
• Get rid of bad breath.
• Remove some discolorations, brightening your smile and approving your appearance.
• Oral cancer screenings to catch cancer or other diseases early. 
• Encouragement to maintain healthy oral care habits at home.

Maintaining your dental cleaning appointments at the frequency recommended by your dentist gives you the greatest opportunity for lifelong oral health. 

Schedule a Cleaning with Fine Dental Care

At Fine Dental Care, we recommend that our patients come in at least every 6 months for a professional cleaning as this is a big part of maintaining your oral health today and in the future. Our highly skilled dental professionals take time to ensure a thorough cleaning so that you leave our office with a shining smile. 

To learn more about dental cleaning or to schedule an appointment, contact us today at 973-633-5440. Or, request an appointment online.