Do I Really Need Teeth Cleanings Twice a Year?
In general, we recommend that our patients see us for teeth cleanings at least twice a year. But you may need more frequent cleanings if our dentists need to closely monitor chronic oral health issues. For example, patients with periodontitis may require special care to prevent any further gum recession or bone loss in the jaw.
Check out these other health benefits of getting a teeth cleaning and start taking better care of your smile today!
REMOVE PLAQUE AND TARTAR
Plaque is an invisible, sticky film of bacteria that lives inside your mouth. As you eat sugary foods, these bacteria eat the particles left behind and produce an acid that erodes enamel and attacks your gums. Once plaque hardens into tartar, it can only be removed by a dental professional.
During your teeth cleaning appointment, we’ll use a tool called a scaler to gently remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. If left untreated, tartar buildup can lead to oral health issues, such as cavities and gum disease.
Routine dental cleanings will help you maintain a healthy smile for life, provided that you also practice good oral hygiene at home. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once daily.
CATCH ORAL HEALTH ISSUES EARLY
One of the benefits of preventive dental care is that it allows us to catch oral health problems early. During your appointment, we’ll examine the inside of your mouth and possibly take X-rays if it’s been a while. This allows us to evaluate the condition of your teeth, gums, and jaws.
In the case of gum disease, it’s best if we catch it in its early stages while it’s still reversible. The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis, which can be cured by practicing good oral hygiene and not skipping your teeth cleanings. But the later stages of gum disease (periodontitis and advanced periodontitis) are NOT reversible.
In this situation, seeing a dentist every 6 months could help you avoid a lifetime of sore, swollen, bleeding gums. If you already have advanced gum disease, our dentists may recommend scaling and root planing to mitigate the symptoms.
AVOID INVASIVE DENTAL TREATMENT
Oral health issues are much easier to treat in their early stages. For example, we can use a filling to restore a tooth with a small cavity. But you may need a root canal if you wait for the cavity to reach the innermost chamber of your tooth called the pulp. Waiting too long may mean that there is nothing left for us to do but extract the tooth.
The sooner we can detect an issue with your oral health, the better.
SCREEN FOR ORAL CANCER
The American Cancer Society estimates that over will get oral or throat cancer this year. This means that it’s more important than ever for you to receive routine oral cancer screenings.
Since an oral cancer screening is a simple procedure, we’ll fit it into your teeth cleaning appointment. During the screening, one of our dentists will examine the inside of your mouth for red or white patches. They’ll also feel inside your mouth for any suspicious lumps.
An oral cancer screening is a simple procedure that can save your life! That’s why it’s important that you don’t skip appointments for preventive dental care. During your check-up, our dentists can also counsel you on the best ways to reduce your risk of oral cancer.
GET COUNSELED ON ORAL HYGIENE
Our family dentists understand the importance of building patient-doctor relationships based on trust, respect, and compassion. As such, they would be more than happy to listen to your concerns and offer their advice on . This is your opportunity to receive personalized advice based on your medical history and specific oral health needs.
SAVE MONEY
Preventive dental care will help you save money in the long run. This is because it’s much less expensive to prevent cavities than to treat them. If you have dental insurance, your plan should cover the full cost of your teeth cleaning. That way, you can avoid any out-of-pocket expenses. Even if you don’t have dental insurance, the cost of a teeth cleaning is much lower than what you’d pay for restorative care or a dental emergency.
ASK ABOUT OUR COSMETIC DENTAL SERVICES
Do you ever cover your mouth when you laugh or smile with your lips closed? If so, your next checkup is a great opportunity to ask one of our dentists about cosmetic dentistry. Our dentists would be more than happy to help you explore your options so you can achieve your dream smile.
SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT TEETH CLEANING
Dr. Richard Neuman and Dr. Alexis Neuman are a father-daughter team of dentists in Grand Rapids, MI. To schedule your next teeth cleaning with Advance Dental, call (616) 956-9183. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.
