How Often Should You Have a Dental Cleaning? - Smiles Dental Care Mountain View California (2024)

Thinking it is about time for your next dental cleaning? Getting your teeth cleaned on a regular basis is one of the more important things you need to do to support good overall dental health.

A dental cleaning is part of an annual dental check-up, which needs to be made at least once, if not twice, a year. Even if you feel that your teeth are clean, it really is necessary for a dental professional to perform a thorough examination in order to be sure as the beginning stages of gum disease are often hard to detect.

Why dental cleanings are necessary

Dental cleanings are necessary as they help to ensure that patients' teeth and gums are healthy. They are a very important part of one’s overall oral care routine as these cleanings help to remove any plaque or tartar buildup that can lead to mouth problems, like tooth decay. There is also a connection between one’s oral health and one’s overall health.

When someone’s teeth and gums are not in good health, it is possible for their bad oral health to lead to their experiencing bad overall health, i.e. heart disease, diabetes. Cleanings can also help to remove any unsightly stains on the teeth, allowing one to feel proud to show off their smile.

How often are dental cleanings necessary?

It depends on each dental patient’s particular oral needs as every patient is different. Some patients are simply more prone to having dental issues, making it necessary for them to see a dental professional more often. Other patients will experience hardly any dental issues at all, which means it is likely that they will need to have their teeth cleaned on a less frequent basis.

General guidelines state that patients should make an appointment for a professional dental cleaning every six months. While this is ideal for most people, some will need to come in every three months and others will only need to come in every nine or 12 months.

What to do in between dental cleanings

Every dental patient needs to provide themselves with the good oral care they need to experience a healthy mouth. It is necessary for every dental patient to thoroughly brush their teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoridated toothpaste at least twice a day.

They must also floss their teeth at least once a day. Using a quality mouthwash can also help to keep bad bacteria at bay, as well as to keep breath fresh.

When was your last dental cleaning?

Are you currently due for a dental cleaning? If you have not had a professional dental cleaning within the past year, then making an appointment as soon as possible is essential to make sure that your oral health is in tip-top shape.

If you happen to be very busy like most people nowadays, know that there are many dental offices that have extended hours in order to accommodate their patients. This means you can go before work, during your lunch break, after work or possibly even on the weekend.

Request an appointment here: https://smilesdental.com or call Smiles Dental Care at (650) 563-1180 for an appointment in our Mountain View office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Cleaning and Examinations.

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How Often Should You Have a Dental Cleaning? - Smiles Dental Care Mountain View California (2024)

FAQs

How Often Should You Have a Dental Cleaning? - Smiles Dental Care Mountain View California? ›

However, regular dental checkups are crucial to maintaining oral health. With a dental checkup every six months, patients can receive the professional care they need for their teeth. During a checkup, we can not only clean your teeth and gums, but can also look for signs of any oral health issues.

How often should you go to the dentist and get your teeth cleaned? ›

General guidelines state that patients should make an appointment for a professional dental cleaning every six months. While this is ideal for most people, some will need to come in every three months and others will only need to come in every nine or 12 months.

How often should you clean your teeth? ›

Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for about 2 minutes to help keep your teeth and mouth healthy. Plaque is a film of bacteria that coats your teeth if you don't brush them properly. It contributes to gum disease and tooth decay. Tooth brushing stops plaque building up.

How often should I go to the dentist to maintain good dental hygiene? ›

The American Dental Association recommends visiting a dentist “regularly” for a cleaning. For some people, the best frequency will be every 6 months or so. If you are at a higher risk for gum disease, you may need to visit a dentist more frequently.

Is teeth cleaning every 3 months too much? ›

At the Center for Holistic Dentistry, we believe that most patients require teeth cleanings every three months instead of every six months. If you have a “sweet tooth,” do not floss as often as you should or wear oral appliances such as retainers and braces. These are all the more reasons to visit us more often.

How often should I visit my dentist for cleaning? ›

As a standard recommendation, it is ideal to visit a dentist at least once every six months to keep the teeth in good condition. On the other hand, if you have special oral health needs or problems, you may need to visit the dentist more often.

What are the disadvantages of deep cleaning teeth? ›

What are the disadvantages of deep cleaning teeth?
  • can cause nerve damage.
  • doesn't guarantee the reattachment of your gums to your teeth.
  • may cause your gums to recede.
  • possible infection if you have a compromised immune system.
  • pain and sensitivity.
Dec 9, 2020

Should you floss or brush first? ›

While it may be surprising, a study has found that flossing first followed by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste is more effective in removing interdental plaque than brushing first, flossing second. In addition, flossing before brushing results in greater fluoride retention between teeth.

Can I leave toothpaste on my teeth overnight? ›

Leaving residual toothpaste in your mouth can reduce tooth decay. Rinsing with mouthwash immediately after brushing may not be the best for your teeth, even if your mouthwash contains fluoride.

Is Listerine good for your teeth? ›

LISTERINE® Total Care is a fluoride-based mouthwash that offers six dental hygiene benefits in one oral rinse to kill germs that cause bad breath, strengthen teeth, help prevent cavities, restore enamel, clean your mouth and freshen breath.

How often should you realistically go to the dentist? ›

The evidence for the ideal interval for routine dental exams is not clear cut, but once or twice a year has been the general recommendation in the U.S. for many years. However, most people at low risk of oral diseases can visit the dentist less frequently, while others may need to go more often.

How to clean your own teeth like a hygienist? ›

Here are some tips on how to get your teeth squeaky clean:
  1. No more than a pea-size squeeze of toothpaste is necessary. ...
  2. Brush at a 45-degree angle, and brush against your gums. ...
  3. Be sure to brush the inner surfaces of your teeth as well as the outer surfaces. ...
  4. Spit out the toothpaste after brushing.
Jul 1, 2022

Is it too late to have good dental hygiene? ›

Whether your teeth are already exhibiting a yellowish-tinge or suffering from extreme sensitivity to hot or cold food and beverages, it's never too late for you to improve your personal dental care routine. Imagine this: your smile is the first thing people notice when they meet you.

How often do you really need your teeth cleaned? ›

For the longest time, the recommendation for teeth cleaning has been twice a year, that is, every six months. Recent research has shown that while this is necessary for some, it might not be necessary for each individual. For some people, a once-a-year cleaning can be sufficient.

How often should you get your periodontal cleaning? ›

Periodontal Maintenance Cleanings are typically done 3-4 times per year (frequency determined by Hygienist/Dentist) and is based on several factors including inflammation, how quickly tartar and plaque build-up, and how stable the present condition is.

Is teeth cleaning worth it? ›

Routine dental cleanings are essential to maintain your best oral health. Teeth cleanings get rid of debris, plaque, tartar and biofilm (a thin film of bacteria) that you can't remove with brushing and flossing alone.

Is it worth getting your teeth cleaned at the dentist? ›

Your dental hygienist can remove the stains that dull and discolour your teeth, and the plaque which causes the disease so you'll be left with a brighter, whiter and healthy smile. Having your teeth cleaned can prevent gum disease, which leads to early tooth loss.

How often should you get hygiene teeth cleaning? ›

As a general rule-of-thumb, one dental cleaning appointment is recommended every six months. But this 'rule' varies depending on the condition of your teeth. For example, patients with excellent oral hygiene habits may only need to visit the dental hygienist once a year.

How often should you get your teeth professionally whitened? ›

In-office teeth whitening treatment offers a way for you to brighten your smile safely. Dentists recommend getting whitening treatment once a year or so for most patients to keep their smiles looking aesthetically pleasing. Whitening teeth too often could cause certain oral health concerns, such as worn-down enamel.

Should I get my teeth professionally cleaned? ›

A professional cleaning of your teeth leaves them in a healthy state and supports the belief that prevention is better than cure; it is far better to maintain optimal oral health than it is to allow problems to develop and have difficulty addressing them later on.

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