Everyone wants to have a great-looking set of teeth. Oral health is about more than keeping your teeth shiny and white.
Taking care of your teeth reduces your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. It also keeps the number of bacteria in your mouth in check.
You brush your teeth and floss daily, but is it enough to keep your teeth healthy? You might be wondering how often should you get your teeth cleaned.
The CDC says that only 65.5% of adults aged 18-65 visited their dentist last year. The American Dental Association recommends that you visit your dentist regularly. But what does that even mean?
Want to learn more about how often you should visit your dentist? Keep reading to find out how often you should get a routine dental cleaning.
Why It Is Important to Go to the Dentist
Daily brushing and flossing are not enough to keep your teeth healthy. It is important to visit the dentist for routine teeth cleanings.
When you eat, little food particles stay in your mouth. These particles mix with saliva. They form a sticky substance known as plaque.
When plaque hardens on teeth, it is referred to as tartar. Tartar builds up near your gum line. You cannot remove tartar by brushing your teeth.
Dentists scrape away tartar during regular dental treatments.
How Do Dentists Clean Your Teeth?
Even people with great oral hygiene habits benefit from routine dental cleaning. Dentists have tools and techniques to clean areas you might miss.
When you go to your dentist, they will remove tartar and plaque from hard-to-reach areas. Tartars and plaques can build up on the surface of your teeth or near your gums. If left there, the tartar and plaque can lead to cavities and gum disease.
After cleaning your teeth, your dentist will polish them. They use a special dental paste to make your teeth look shiny.
Your dentist will decide if you should have a fluoride treatment as part of your dental checkup. Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens your teeth. It protects against cavities and tooth decay.
Dentists can give you fluoride as a gel, paste, or mouthwash.
How Often Should You Get Your Teeth Cleaned?
There is no single answer for how often you should get your teeth cleaned. The answer is different for every person.
The American Dental Academy says that you should see your dentist regularly. But, they do not specify how often. That is up to your dentist.
At dental appointments, your dentist will check for signs of cavities and gingivitis. Your dentist will recommend how often you should get your teeth cleaned. They will look at your dental health and risk factors.
It is important to have a dentist you trust. They will help you decide how often you need routine dental care.
If you are looking for a new dentist, check out the team at Versailles Family Dentistry.
Many people think that they should go to the dentist twice a year. If you have dental insurance, they might cover two routine dental cleanings a year. This means that you visit the dentist approximately every six months.
For many people, visiting the dentist twice a year is enough. But, sometimes, your dentist will recommend you come in more often for a dental checkup.
Reasons Your Dentist Will Recommend Extra Cleanings
There are different reasons your dentist will recommend you have extra teeth cleanings.
If you smoke, your dentist may recommend you visit more than twice a year for dental cleaning. It is harder to remove plaque and tartar from a smoker’s teeth. This plaque and tartar buildup makes smokers at risk for gum disease and tooth decay.
Dentists often recommend that smokers visit them more often. They may also recommend special toothpaste. During routine visits, dentists also check for signs of oral cancer.
Your dentist may recommend extra dental cleanings if you consume a lot of sugar. The bacteria that form plaque love sugar. People with diets high in sugar are at risk for tooth decay due to plaque buildup.
Your dentist will teach you daily oral hygiene habits that can fight plaque buildup. They may also recommend you change your diet to avoid sugary foods.
If you already have gum disease, your dentist may recommend additional visits. They will want to keep an eye on your gums. Untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss.
Your dentist may suggest additional teeth cleaning if you have preexisting medical conditions. Dental issues such as cavities and gum disease are more common in people with diabetes.
Your overall oral health will determine how often you should see a dentist. People who wear braces or dentures may need to visit the dentist more than twice a year. If you often have cavities, your dentist may recommend extra cleanings.
How to Care For Your Teeth Between Cleanings
When you visit your dentist, they will remove plaque and tartar buildup. Practicing good oral hygiene helps reduce the amount of buildup on your teeth. This will reduce your chances of having cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.
You should brush your teeth twice a day, every day. Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth for at least two minutes.
You should floss your teeth once a day. Flossing removes plaques near your gums.
Your dentist can teach you proper brushing and flossing techniques.
Making a Dental Care Plan For You
Taking care of your teeth and gums is important for your overall health.
Regular visits to your dentist will reduce your risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Your dentist will examine your teeth and think about your risk factors. They will then answer the question of how often should you get your teeth cleaned.
If you are looking for a dentist near me, contact Versailles Family Dentistry. They will keep your teeth healthy, and they have cosmetic dentistry options.
Ask them to tell you more about veneers if you want whiter, straighter teeth.