How Often Should You Get a Teeth Cleaning?

Whether you are a person who loves to care for your teeth and gums or someone who has been neglectful due to various circumstances, routine teeth cleaning is essential to your oral health. The following article will review everything you need about professional teeth cleanings, such as why they are necessary, what to expect, and how to properly care for your teeth at home.

Why professional teeth cleanings are necessary

Professional teeth cleanings are essential to keeping a patient’s smile healthy and bright. As a general rule, the American Dental Association recommends that everyone, regardless of age, get a professional teeth cleaning twice a year (every six months). These routine visits will help the dentist uncover any problems that may have developed since the patient’s last visit and prevent them from worsening. If the dentist notices a patient experiencing dental conditions, such as periodontal disease or tooth decay, during their standard cleaning, they may recommend more frequent visits as part of their treatment plan. However, if the patient’s oral state is normal, most dentists can complete their cleaning appointment in as little as 30 minutes.

What to expect during professional teeth cleanings

The duration of the first appointment will depend on the following factors: how long it has been since the last appointment if X-rays are needed, and the patient’s age. For example, if the patient has never visited our practice before, our team will review their dental history, take X-rays, and perform a physical examination before beginning the cleaning. Thorough exams and imaging tests will help give our dentist a better view of the true state of the patient’s oral health.

If there are no signs of decay or gum disease, our dental hygienist or dentist will use special tools to clean the patient’s teeth, also known as scaling and root planing. A professional teeth cleaning aims to remove plaque, tartar, and stains from the surfaces and between teeth.

Plaque is a sticky deposit that can form on the teeth after eating or drinking anything containing sugar (including fruit), starches, or carbohydrates. Tartar forms when plaque is left alone for as little as 48 hours. It makes it easier for bacteria to grow inside the patient’s mouth, causing periodontal (gum) disease or tooth decay. Meanwhile, stains can come from drinking colored drinks, such as juice, soda, coffee, or tea. They can also appear from smoking cigarettes or eating certain fruits (berries).

We will use a special dental paste to polish the patient’s teeth before applying a fluoride treatment. The fluoride treatment is an added layer of protection against cavities. It can also help relieve sensitive teeth.

Caring for the teeth in between cleanings

Patients must be diligent with their oral care at home. Often, patients slack off with certain actions, such as flossing, because they think it is unnecessary to do it every day. However, this is untrue.

To maintain optimal oral health, patients must brush their teeth, ideally with fluoride toothpaste, at least twice daily to prevent plaque buildup and bacteria. In addition, they should floss or use devices, such as a water pick, at least once daily, preferably before bedtime. Using mouthwash after brushing and flossing can help rid the mouth of stubborn bacteria.

Schedule your next appointment today

Routine dental cleanings are just as important as at-home care to ensure optimal oral health. We hope you have found this article beneficial. Our team can provide a teeth cleaning in under an hour so that you can enjoy your daily life worry-free.

To schedule an appointment for you or a family member, contact our Tarzana office at (818) 668-9055. We look forward to seeing you.

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