Professional teeth cleaning aims to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Dental hygienists and dentists perform professional teeth cleaning at the dentist’s office, usually alongside a comprehensive dental exam. Let’s examine how often you should get your teeth cleaned.
How often should you get your teeth cleaned?
Recently, the 6-month standard has been deemed arbitrary by some experts. For example, one 2013 study suggested that people who visit twice yearly don’t necessarily improve their dental outcomes statistically significantly.
That same study found that dentist visit frequency should be determined by your dental professional based on gum disease risk factors and tooth loss.
You are at a higher risk if you:
- smoke tobacco
- Diabetes
- Family history of gum disease
Various researches have established a relationship between income inequality and lack of oral healthcare. People who can’t pay for frequent dental visits tend to experience more issues, more frequent dental injuries, and increased risks of gum disease.
This is a complicated subject, and this is due to the applied barriers to healthcare. Still, it implies that going to the dentist regularly affects your dental and overall health.
What happens during teeth cleaning?
The teeth cleaning process varies between practitioners, but these are the basic steps of teeth cleaning visits. The whole process takes about an hour. If you are sensitive around your teeth, a light numbing agent will be applied to your gums before the process begins.
Cleaning
During cleaning, tartar and plaque are removed. Your dentist will clean the most difficult-to-reach areas of your mouth using special dental tools to scrape off stubborn plaque. Next, they clean the spaces between your teeth with a special flossing technique and tools.
The hygienist may use a Prophy-Jet tool, which uses abrasive powders, water, and pressurized air to remove soft debris, plaque, and stains. They’ll rinse it out of your mouth at the end.
Polishing
Next, your teeth are going to be polished. Your dentist uses a rotating head with a dental paste to shine your teeth to their best.
Fluoride treatment
To prevent cavities and other dental issues, a dentist or dental hygienist may apply fluoride treatment to your teeth. This fluoride treatment may be a gel, a paste, or a varnish.
At the end of the dental cleaning, they may talk to you about proper dental care and hygiene and recommend tips and products for keeping your teeth clean and healthy at home.
How long can you go without it?
You should visit a dentist at least twice annually for dental checkups. Generally, your teeth cleaning process is included in the visit. It is advised not to skip these checkups.
You can practice dental care and hygiene to protect your teeth from cavities and other dental issues. This means you don’t have to see the dentist as often simply because you need fewer visits to address dental issues.
Getting your teeth cleaned is an important tool for your oral health. However, the frequency of this procedure is best determined on a case-by-case basis with your dentist. It will help if you ask your dentist how frequently they recommend cleaning your teeth based on your family history, oral health, and risk factors for cavities and gum disease.
Are you looking for professional teeth cleaning in Pune? Book an appointment with Oswal Dental Clinic. We have an experienced team of dentists that will take good care of your dental hygiene.