How Often Should You Have a Dental Cleaning?
If you want healthy teeth and gums, one of the most important things to do is to have your teeth cleaned by a dentist on a regular basis. Having your teeth cleaned regularly reduces your risk of cavities and gum disease and improves dental health. The recommended frequency of teeth cleaning can vary from person to person.
Why Dental Cleanings Are Necessary
As you eat, food particles mix with your saliva to create a sticky film of bacteria called plaque that forms on your teeth. If your teeth have ever felt “fuzzy,” that is plaque. Most plaque is removed when you brush your teeth, but some of it can remain. Plaque that is not removed will harden into something called tartar.
Tartar is yellow or brown buildup at or underneath the gums. Tartar cannot be removed with brushing; it can only be removed by a dentist and the proper tools during a dental cleaning. When tartar is not removed regularly, signs of gingivitis (bleeding, swollen, or tender gums, and bad breath) will appear. Regular dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar and keep teeth healthy.
How Frequently Should I Have My Teeth Cleaned?
Most people should have a professional dental cleaning every 6 months, or twice a year. However, if you have exceptional dental health and hygiene and are not prone to cavities, you may only need a teeth cleaning once a year. Others may need a dental cleaning every 3 or four months.
Who Needs More Frequent Teeth Cleanings?
Those who are high-risk dental patients require more frequent dental cleanings. High-risk dental patients include:
People who smoke
People who eat a high-sugar diet
People with gum disease
People who have poor dental hygiene
If you are wondering how often you should have your teeth cleaned, call or stop by Midland Dental & Oasis Kids and Orthodontics in Roy, Utah!