How Often Should You Get a Dental Cleaning?
- 1. How Often Should You Get a Dental Cleaning?
- 2. What Happens During a Routine Dental Cleaning and Exam
- 3. How Often You Should See a Cleaning Dentist
- 4. When a Dental Deep Cleaning Is Recommended
- 5. What Happens If You Skip Regular Dental Cleanings
- 6. Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Cleanings
- 7. Schedule an Appointment with Our Team at Innovative Dental Group
How Often Should You Get a Dental Cleaning?
At Innovative Dental Group, our experienced team provides dental cleaning and dental exam services for patients of all ages, helping you maintain healthy teeth. Not only do these services remove buildup that can lead to cavities and gum disease, but our goal is to catch problems early so you can use minimally invasive treatments to prevent complications.
During the dental cleaning, we remove plaque, tartar, and surface stains that are left behind, even if you are consistent about regular brushing and flossing. Most patients need a cleaning and dental examination every six months, but if you have any dental complications, then we might recommend more frequent visits.
What Happens During a Routine Dental Cleaning and Exam
Our team provides a full-service experience when you visit our dental office for a routine cleaning and exam. Here’s what you can expect:
- Medical and Dental History: We review your medical and dental history and note any changes in your health, medications, or symptoms. This information helps us personalize your treatment planning.
- Dental Examination: The dentist inspects each tooth to look for signs of cavities. This visual exam also looks at gum health and any potential signs of oral cancer.
- Digital X-Rays: These modern X-rays give us a closer look at your oral health so that we can see what is happening under the surface. Digital imaging can help with the diagnosis of decay, bone loss, and other dental issues.
- Scaling: Our dental hygienist uses specialized dental tools to remove tartar buildup from the visible surfaces of your teeth.
- Polishing: Next, we apply a gritty paste that helps to remove surface stains and leave your teeth with a smooth texture. Smoothing out the tooth surfaces makes it more difficult for plaque to build up between appointments.
- Flossing and Fluoride: We use professional flossing techniques to remove any debris that might be stuck between your teeth. Also, patients often choose an in-office fluoride treatment to strengthen the enamel and reduce the risk of cavities.
How Often You Should See a Cleaning Dentist
The general recommendation is that most patients need to schedule dental cleanings every six months. Dental insurance plans typically cover two dental checkups and cleanings per year. This frequency is ideal if you have healthy gums, no active tooth decay, and you are consistent with a regular home care routine. We can be proactive about early detection of any potential issues.
For patients with a history of gum disease or active periodontal issues, we recommend a checkup and cleaning every 3 to 4 months. These more frequent visits help us stop the progression of the gum disease and minimize the risk of long-term complications.
Children and teenagers should also follow the six-month frequency. But sometimes additional appointments are recommended if a child has a higher risk of cavities or is currently wearing braces.
When a Dental Deep Cleaning Is Recommended
During your routine cleaning, our dental team might recommend a follow-up appointment for a dental deep cleaning. While a routine cleaning is specifically focused on the visible surfaces of the teeth (above the gumline), a deep cleaning goes deeper to address buildup under the gumline.
A dental deep cleaning is necessary for treating active gum disease, and it involves scaling and root planing. This treatment is a two-part procedure that removes both plaque and bacteria that are causing pockets of gum disease. Smoothing the root surfaces helps to reduce the risk of future buildup.
Some of the most common reasons why a dental deep cleaning might be recommended include:
- Gum pockets that are deeper than 4mm
- Bleeding gums that continue even with better oral hygiene habits
- Visible tartar buildup below the gumline
- Gum recession
What Happens If You Skip Regular Dental Cleanings
There is a higher risk of dental complications if you skip regular dental cleanings. Tartar continues to accumulate, which can increase the likelihood of cavities and gum disease. Over time, early-stage gum disease can set in, causing inflammation, bleeding, and tenderness. The good news is that early-stage gum disease is reversible with a professional deep cleaning and better at-home dental habits.
But if dental cleanings are skipped and early gum disease continues to progress, then you might have more advanced stages of periodontal disease. These more severe issues can cause damage to the bone and tissue supporting the teeth, and even eventually lead to tooth loss when it is left untreated.
Additionally, did you know that there is a higher risk of systemic health issues when you have gum disease? Researchers have found a connection between untreated gum disease and an increased risk of diabetes complications, heart disease, and more. So, maintaining consistency with dental cleanings is actually an essential step to protect your overall health as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Cleanings
Even though dental cleanings and exams are both included in a general checkup appointment, they are separate services. The dental cleaning involves the removal of buildup from your teeth. The dental exam is a diagnostic evaluation of your oral health to look for signs of disease.
If gum disease is diagnosed during your routine cleaning, then you might need to come back to our office for a follow-up dental deep cleaning. We recommend these services for patients with signs of gum infection, deep pockets, or bone loss.
It might be overwhelming to think about going to the dentist after not having a checkup or cleaning in several years. Rest assured knowing that our team offers a caring and supportive environment to help you get back on track with your oral health. We’ll assess your current situation without judgment and help you design the ideal treatment plan.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Team at Innovative Dental Group
If it’s time to schedule a dental cleaning and exam, then our team at Innovative Dental Group is here to help. Reach out at your convenience to schedule an appointment and learn more about available treatment options.
