Brushing your teeth and flossing on your own are crucial steps to keeping your smile healthy. But at-home oral hygiene alone will not be enough to maximize oral cleanliness. You will also need to visit your dentist on a regular basis for professional dental cleanings.
During these appointments, your dentist will scrape plaque and tartar build-up that your toothbrush and floss cannot reach. This way, you can ensure these harmful residues will not linger on your smile to weaken your teeth and cause many dental issues.
You may wonder how frequently you need to attend these routine visits for optimal results. Read on to learn more about when you should book a teeth cleaning appointment at your dentist’s office.
How Often Should I Schedule Routine Dental Appointments?
The average dental patient should schedule a routine dental appointment every six months or so. This establishes the ideal window for a dentist to get rid of harmful build-up from your teeth in a timely fashion.
The dentist will use special tools to scrape away plaque and tartar from tricky spots in the mouth, such as near the gumline. This will prevent dental erosion and the spread of oral bacteria. As a result, you can fight cavities and reduce your risk of gum disease and other dental issues.
Your dentist will also perform an oral exam during these appointments. They check your teeth and gums for early signs of issues that will need dental treatment. Some people may need to visit their dentist more often than this for proper care.
Senior-aged dental patients, people with certain health conditions, and those with a higher tendency to form tartar will require additional dental attention. They may need to attend these appointments three or four times a year. Find the targeted preventative dental care that you need when you contact your dentist today.
Are There Signs That Can Point to the Need for Professional Teeth Cleaning?
You should attend dental cleanings even when you think your smile is in good health. You might not always know when your smile suffers from tooth decay or other dental issues. But sometimes you can see certain symptoms in your smile that signify the need for professional cleaning.
For instance, you might notice chronic bad breath. Usually, when you brush your teeth or rinse your mouth, you get rid of lingering food particles that might otherwise start to smell if left in your mouth.
But if the odor persists, it could come from excess bacteria left from stubborn plaque. This can also leave a bad taste in your mouth.
You might also know it is time to schedule a dental cleaning because your gums seem irritated. Plaque build-up near the gumline can make the gums red, swollen, or bleed. These can point to the early stages of gum disease, which will require treatment from a dentist to eradicate.
If you notice changes in your oral health, do not wait to tell your dentist. Prevent dental emergencies with consistent dental attention at teeth cleanings.