How Often Should You Have Your Teeth Cleaned by a Dentist?

New studies reveal annual teeth cleanings from a dentist might be sufficient for some people to prevent gum disease that results in tooth loss. The CDC recommends cleanings every six months without supporting evidence, states a study released by the University of Michigan in the media. However, annual cleanings merely benefit patients with no risk factors. Unfortunately, over 50% of the population must have biannual cleanings and, in some cases, even quarterly.

Twice annual dental cleanings provide significant benefits to people with more than one of the three risk factors, and people with higher risk factors require more than two cleanings every year. Exams and cleanings in York, ON, identify people at a higher risk of gum disease during dental visits. However, they do not have the tools to identify people at an increased risk of this problem to prevent disease progression.

Why Remaining on the Safer Side Is Beneficial?

Dental exams and cleanings every six months help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other problems that develop in the mouth silently without causing any pain. In reality, even dentists need help from infrastructure like digital x-rays to determine whether people have cavities on or between their teeth. Plaque and tartar removal during teeth cleanings is straightforward because both are visible to the naked eye. Unfortunately, micro-cavities developing between the teeth aren’t and need identification by x-rays to provide prompt treatment and prevent further damage.

When people allow problems like cavities to develop on their teeth painlessly, they often become prone to receiving expensive treatments later when the bacteria in their mouths create significant damage. In addition, an untreated niche can extend to the dental pulp and the neighbouring teeth to eventually require tooth extractions. Similarly, plaque and tartar remaining on the teeth and below the gum line is a leading cause of gum disease, which, if left untreated, results in tooth loss and creates various other health problems. Therefore people must realize they can prevent unnecessary complications and pain besides expenditure by remaining on the safer side and visiting dentists for exams and cleanings every six months.

Dental Exams and Cleanings Are Not Complicated Procedures

People fear visiting dentists because of the all-too-familiar dental phobia affecting them and neglect getting the practical exams and cleanings at intervals recommended by their dentist. The dental exam procedure merely examines people’s mouths to identify whether any issues like described earlier affect them to provide timely treatments to help them get over the problem. During dental exams, dentists examine the entire oral cavity besides the teeth and gums, looking for signs of oral cancer or other issues as a preventive measure.

People may think dentists have no business to look at their neck, jaw, tongue, throat, et cetera because they don’t realize what the dentist is looking for. However, dentists are trained to look for various issues that may develop in the mouth to recommend treatments from specialists if required. The preventive measures help people manage severe conditions like oral cancer with minimally invasive treatments that provide excellent outcomes.

Why Are Dental Cleanings Essential?

Dental cleanings become essential to ensure their teeth and gums are healthy. Cleanings are a crucial part of people’s overall oral care regimen because they help remove plaque and tartar buildup resulting in oral problems like tooth decay. In addition, research reveals an association exists between oral and overall health.

Dental cleanings are a procedure performed by registered dental hygienists using small mirrors and scalers to remove plaque and tartar on the teeth and below the gum line. Left by themselves, plaque and tartar create several detrimental health issues, as described earlier. While plaque is removable with brushing and flossing, the removal of tartar needs help from a professional because it is challenging to brush it off.

Besides cleaning people’s teeth, hygienists also polish them with gritty toothpaste to remove any surface stains giving people a brighter and healthier smile. During dental exams and cleanings, people also receive fluoride treatments to battle against cavities for several months.

Between dental visits for exams and cleanings, people must ensure they maintain proper oral hygiene and refrain from indulging in sugary and starchy foods. However, people must have their teeth cleaned at intervals recommended by their dentist without exceptions.

People looking for comprehensive information on how often they must have their teeth cleaned must schedule an appointment with Marlee dental office, providing them with the data besides the exams and cleanings.