Dental Cleaning Frequency: How Often Should You Visit the Dentist?

Have you ever wondered why some people get teeth cleanings more than twice a year (every 6 months)? How do you know if that’s what youneed?

6-month cleanings

• This frequency is for people healthy mouths or a mild     amount of gingivitis.
• Recommended to come at least this often to help you     with removal of tartar buildup (which toothbrushes and floss can’t     remove).
• Maintain your health you have to prevent future risk     of gum disease and to catch any cavities that may form.

4-month cleanings

• These people can have moderate bone loss and     recession
  • due to grinding their teeth, from past buildup,      faster forming tartar buildup, or can’t keep up with their homecare      routine and need help from their dental team.
• To reduce your risk of losing more bone around your     teeth which puts you at higher risk for gum disease and cavities. Your     dental team is trying to prevent tooth loss in the future.

3-month cleanings

• For people diagnosed with gum disease (periodontitis)     where you lose some jawbone that holds your teeth in place.
• Studies show, 3 months is how long it takes for     bacteria to build up and continue to cause bone destruction around teeth,     so to maintain what you have, your hygienist cleans your teeth every 3     months.
• Other people who we may recommend for 3-month     cleanings are those with severe recession/bone loss around teeth not due     to periodontitis or patients who buildup plaque and tartar at a very fast     rate.

The whole goal of determining how often you should come for teeth cleanings is to maintain your natural teeth for as long as possible. Most insurances only cover for cleanings every 6 months, although there are plansthat will cover more. Some dental offices, like here at Plano Family Dental,offer savings plans for people who don’t have dental benefits or whose benefits don’t cover what they need.

Coming regularly at whatever frequency of cleanings you need can help you have a healthy mouth for your lifetime.