Even if you take the best possible care of your oral health and dental hygiene, you will need to get your teeth professionally cleaned once in a while. Why’s that so? Because it will remove any tartar or plaque buildup on and between your teeth and will enhance its longevity.
Now, the next question is “how often?”
As per the American Dental Association, the best frequency of getting professional dental cleaning is twice a year, or once every six months to be more precise.
However, it varies from person to person. If a person has higher chances of tooth decay, cavity, gum disease, and tooth loss, they will need to get their teeth professionally cleaned more often.
Who are high-risk people?
- The elderly
- Diabetic
- Smokers
- Genetic susceptibility (a family history of gum disease)
Why is it recommended to visit a dentist once every six months?
So that an experienced dental professional like TruCare Dentistry can take a closer look at your teeth and will inform you if there is any problem or such as tooth cavity, decay, gum problems, or gingivitis.
Can you do without a bi-annual or annual visit to a dentist?
It isn’t advisable to do that. It would be best if you visit a qualified, experienced, and trustworthy dentist at least once every six months for a routine dental checkup.
It typically includes professional teeth cleaning. During the visit, ask the dental practitioner how often you should get your teeth professionally cleaned. After examining and cleaning your teeth, they know what’s best for you and will prescribe the best interval between cleaning. You would be better off heeding their advice and following all the oral hygiene and dental care procedures they recommend.
What about more than once every month? Is there any disadvantage to getting professional dental cleaning more than that?
Ancient Roman playwright Terence had famously said, “Too much of anything is bad.” Regular professional dental cleaning is an elixir for your teeth. But nectar can become poisonous when taken in excess. Even though there’s no scientific research or study, getting your teeth cleaned professionally more than once every six months can damage your tooth enamel as well as make your teeth more sensitive.
Besides, frequent teeth cleaning can be an expensive affair and you will have to pay from your pocket. A majority of dental insurers don’t cover more than two professional dental cleaning appointments each year. If you actually need more than one dental cleaning every six months, your dentist will prescribe that.
Steps in a professional teeth cleaning procedure
A professional dental cleaning procedure is an extremely precise and meticulous technique that involves three main steps:
Cleaning: The dental professional will use some precise dental tools such as Prophy-Jet to reach the inaccessible areas in your mouth and will remove plaque, tartar, and stains from your teeth. After the removal process, the dental spaces will be cleaned using flossing tools and techniques, following which the dentist will rinse your mouth.
Polishing: After cleaning, the dentist will polish the teeth by using a rotating head with dental paste. It will not only give a brilliant sheen to your teeth but will also make them squeaky clean.
Fluoride treatment: After polishing, the dentist will apply a fluoride gel, paste, or varnish on your teeth to prevent cavities.
After the professional teeth cleaning procedure, the dentist will advise you on how to take proper oral care as well as the products that can take care of your dental health.
How should you care for your teeth between cleanings?
After your dentist completes the teeth cleaning, then you will get some valuable tips and tricks to take care of your teeth between that visit and the next. Even though a few tactics will be personalized and recommended just for you, a majority will more or less be the following.
- Practice healthy dental hygiene
- Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day
- Use fluoride toothpaste
- Floss at least once a day, preferably before going to bed
- Use a mouthwash
- Keep your mouth well-hydrated
- Cut down on sweet and sour foods and beverages
- Snack on fruits and vegetables instead
Is a teeth whitening procedure the same as professional teeth cleaning? How frequently should you get your teeth whitened?
The teeth whitening procedure is fundamentally different from professional teeth cleaning. Even though teeth are visibly whiter and brighter after a professional teeth cleaning session, teeth whitening is a different ball game altogether. To put it simply, teeth whitening is a cosmetic measure while teeth cleaning is a preventive measure. The former is vanity and the latter is sanity.
In a professional teeth whitening session, a dentist rinses the teeth with hydrogen peroxide that eliminates stains and yellowness on the teeth. Apart from hydrogen peroxide, the dental professional can use several other methods to whiten teeth.
Unlike professional teeth cleaning, there’s no standard guideline that recommends the most suitable frequency or interval for teeth whitening. It doesn’t even come under the ambit of oral hygiene and dental care. That’s why it’s not usually covered by dental insurance.
What’s the usual cost of standard professional teeth cleaning?
The cost of a professional teeth cleaning can differ from dentist to dentist as well as from place to place. The price of getting teeth whitened from a highly qualified and experienced dentist in Roswell, Georgia can hugely vary from getting the same procedure from a dentist in New York City or San Francisco due to differences in the cost of living.
But a typical professional teeth cleaning can cost in the range of $75 to $200 without insurance. If you’re covered under standard dental insurance, then it will enable you to avail one or two professional teeth cleaning every year for free of cost. You may also get one preventive care visit that can cost from $25 to $50 via a copay program.
If you want to know the cost of a professional teeth cleaning session in advance, then look for some experienced, professional, and trustworthy dentists in your area and contact them to know their charges. The reliable ones will quote the exact prices and won’t have any hidden charges. Also, ask about payment plans and compare the fees with other promising dentists to make an informed decision.
In a nutshell,
A regular professional dental cleaning procedure is extremely crucial for all people to prevent Dental Problems. Some may need it once every six months, while some may need it once every four months. To know the best interval for a routine dental checkup and professional teeth cleaning, find a reputable and trustworthy dentist and contact them so that they can guide you better.
