How Often Do I Need a Teeth Cleaning?

Teeth cleaning is very important for the health of your teeth, gums and mouth. If you do not take proper care of your teeth and gums, it can lead to a variety of problems. But many people are usually not sure how often they should have a dentist clean their teeth. If you are considering professional teeth cleaning, you should find out how often you need to visit your dentist.

Professional teeth cleaning

Following a good dental hygiene routine is highly recommended. However, no matter how diligent a person is at taking care of the teeth, harmful bacteria still grow in the mouth. Professional teeth cleaning by a hygienist will help to remove tartar or deposits that are not removed by routine cleaning. How often a person should have the teeth cleaned is based on many factors. Here is what a patient needs to know about how often the teeth should be cleaned.

Dental checkup

It is usually recommended for a person to visit the dentist for a checkup. The doctor will assess a patient’s oral health before recommending the frequency of teeth cleaning. It is often advisable for a patient to have the teeth cleaned and checked by a dentist every six months. But this varies for many people and some dentists often recommend visiting at least once a year especially if a patient is healthy.

Health and lifestyle factors

Some patients are at a higher risk of getting gum disease or dental cavities. These patients will be required to visit a dentist more often. Particular health and lifestyle factors can increase a person’s risk of developing cavities. A person can get cavities from snacking a lot, drinking sugary drinks and poor dental hygiene.

The more plaque buildup a patient has, the more likely the patient can end up with cavities. A dentist will have the chance to assess a patient’s teeth at each checkup. The dentist will then help a patient prevent cavities. Severe cases of cavities can lead to the removal of teeth and make it necessary for a person to consider various treatment options for cavities such as a root canal.

Without regular cleaning, people can end up with gum disease. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, can cause harm to the jawbone and in other serious cases, it is a risk factor for heart and lung disease. This disease can be prevented by regularly visiting the dentist for teeth cleanings. Regular oral hygiene at home will also help.

Chronic conditions and medications

People with particular chronic health issues such as diabetes will need to see the dentist regularly as these patients are more prone to periodontal disease. People taking blood thinners as well as other medications like pills, also need to visit the dentist more frequently. Patients with bleeding gums should ensure they see dentists more often especially if they have been diagnosed with advanced gum disease.

Visit your dentist

You can benefit from regular cleanings and checkups. Visiting your dentist frequently will help maintain your oral health. It will also reduce the chances of any problems you may have becoming worse. If you have any questions about teeth cleaning, talk to your dentist.

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