Sometimes you just gotta trust your instincts. Your instincts probably tell you that the less often you go to the dentist, the more likely you are to experience tooth decay and even tooth loss. It just makes sense, right? It makes so much sense that research has confirmed it. One study has confirmed that people who do not regularly and consistently visit their dentist: have more than three times the extent of tooth decay and nearly twice as many missing teeth. So, who are we to argue with instincts and research?
But it begs the question — dental check ups aside, how often should you get your teeth cleaned at a dentist in Palm Beach Gardens?
Why is dental cleaning in Palm Beach Gardens important?
Even daily brushing and flossing can leave plaque on your teeth, especially in hard to reach parts of your mouth and teeth. Over time, that plaque can produce tartar that is even harder to remove. That plaque and tartar consists of billions upon billions of bacteria that are fueled by the foods we eat and that produce toxins that degrade our teeth. If it’s not obvious already, professional dental cleaning near you is essential because it will remove that plaque and tartar that you haven’t been able to remove before it produces serious and long lasting damage to your teeth and gums.
The general rule
How often should you have your teeth cleaned at a dentist in Palm Beach Gardens? As a general rule, you should attend a dental check up at your dentist every six months. During those appointments, your dentist will inspect your teeth and you’ll receive routine cleaning. In addition to those twice-yearly check ups, you should — as a general rule — have your teeth professionally cleaned by a dental hygienist once annually. Here’s the rule of thumb: floss daily, brush twice a day, see your dentist twice a year, and have your teeth cleaned annually.
But there are exceptions
Here’s the thing about general rules. There are plenty of exceptions to them. If your dentist’s regular examinations reveal issues of concern — cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis, for example — their staff will develop a treatment plan that may include additional visits and even different types of tooth or root cleaning.
In addition to specific treatment plans, there are several risk factors that should prompt you to have your teeth cleaned more often than once a year.
Your dentist and their staff will explore all those risk factors with you, but here’s a simple checklist for you to figure out if you are at higher-than-usual risk for tooth decay and cavities. If you answer yes to at least half of the following 10 questions, you may be at higher risk and you should schedule more frequent dental cleaning in Palm Beach Gardens to ensure your health:
- Is your drinking water fluoride-free?
- Do you often experience a dry mouth?
- Do you have any chronic long-term health conditions (especially diabetes)?
- Do you snack on lots of sweets?
- Do you ever skip daily flossing?
- Do you ever brush your teeth less than twice a day?
- Do you only go to the dentist for emergencies or toothaches?
- Do you wear dentures, bridges, crowns, or braces?
- Does your dentist frequently identify the need for cavities?
- Does your dentist frequently identify spots that may develop into cavities?
Your dentist in Palm Beach Gardens offers a complete range of products, services, and supports to ensure that your teeth are as clean and healthy as possible. We’ll educate you about best practices for caring for your teeth yourself, and will provide dental cleaning in Palm Beach Gardens as frequently as necessary in addition to regular check ups to keep you healthy. How often? Let’s keep it short — at least once a year.