Demand for dental hygiene appointments to have your teeth professionally cleaned has increased majorly in recent years. More people are recognising the value in a dental hygiene appointment to help maintain good oral health. So when should you get a professional teeth cleaning?
The answer to that is usually “it depends”. While once a year is the normal recommendation for most people, naturally everyone has different needs, and your dentist and hygienist will advise you on the best course of action for your circumstances. This will include the state of your historical and current oral health, at-home brushing and flossing habits, lifestyle factors, and any extenuating health issues you may have. Factors like having a sweet tooth, drinking soft drinks regularly, not flossing often (or at all), a history of cavities, wearing an appliance like a partial denture or braces, suffering from dry mouth or having a chronic illness like diabetes will put you into the high risk category for tooth decay and gum disease. Some medications can also make you more vulnerable to gum disease, such as blood thinners or medications for osteoporosis. If you are in the high risk category of being more vulnerable to cavities or gum disease then you will be advised to see your hygienist at least every six months – if not more often.
Even people with meticulous brushing and flossing routines still benefit from a teeth cleaning to remove plaque and calculus in hard-to-reach or troublesome places. If your teeth are (even slightly) crooked it can be especially difficult to keep them clean and free from tooth decay.
The good news is that having an annual dental check-up and clean makes you less likely to need a filling or have a tooth removed as problems are identified and treated early. This means you actually save money – not to mention pain, stress and inconvenience! Prevention is always better than cure, so if you are overdue don’t delay any longer – contact us for a dental hygiene appointment today.
