Preventative Dentistry
Cleanings
You know regular cleanings at the dentist office are essential. But do you know why? Simple: Brushing and flossing at home can’t remove the hardened plaque and calculus (bacteria) build-up from your teeth and gums. Removing this bacteria prevents cavities and gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis. So it’s really important! Dentists generally recommend a cleaning at least every six months. But more frequent cleanings are often beneficial. Our caring hygienists will help you determine the cleaning schedule you need to keep your smile beautiful for a lifetime.
Personalized care is our specialty. Our hygiene team will advise you on what is a good frequency for your professional cleanings based on your oral health, your home care habits and any medical conditions you may have. The recommendation may change throughout your lifetime as you change.
The six month interval was developed by toothpaste companies as a marketing plan. There is no rhyme or reason how the six month standard came to be. Often our hygiene team will recommend patients with more risk factors for gingivitis and periodontal disease come for cleanings every three months. By coming more frequently, we can help prevent little problems before they become big ones.
High-risk patients who may require more frequent cleanings are:
- people who already have periodontal disease
- people with a weak immune system
- people with a high rate of caries
- smokers
- people with diabetes
- pregnant women
- patients with a physical or mental impairment that inhibits their ability for quality home care of their teeth
- patients undergoing chemo and/or radiation therapy due to the high risk for aggressive decay to happen during treatment
- patients in active orthodontic treatment