Why Do I Need My Teeth Cleaned Every 6 Months?

Why is it so important to make sure that your dental cleaning is scheduled every 6 months? So much happens during your dental cleaning appointment! First of all, it’s not just a cleaning!

During your visit you receive a comprehensive examination of your mouth, allowing the doctor and hygienist to check for oral cancer and decay, address broken teeth/fillings, repair areas where teeth are missing, eliminate infections, evaluate for any signs of gingival disease, give preventative advice/home care instructions, and ensure that your mouth is in good shape.

The mouth is a showcase for the whole entire body. Medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, extensive medication lists, dementia, genetic components, cancer/radiation, and many other medical conditions effect the oral cavity directly and indirectly. So with all that being said, it’s not just a cleaning!

The cleaning itself can be different for each patient based on their dental needs. During a regular cleaning, the hygienist or dentist starts by reviewing your medical history and checking your blood pressure. At this point, you will be asked if you have any concerns with their teeth or mouth. After completing the medical check list and addressing any problems or concerns you may have, the next step is to complete an Intra-oral and Extra-oral cancer screening.

The dental professional evaluates the teeth to see if there are any issues present that may need to be addressed or restored. Periodontal charting is the next step … a small probe is used to measure in between the gingival tissue and tooth to determine if there is bone loss and which type of cleaning you may need.

The goal of any cleaning is to remove all plaque and calculus buildup present on the teeth or root structure to create a smooth surface. In order to remove plaque and buildup on the teeth, the dental professional uses the proper dental instruments to clean the surfaces of the teeth and then polishes to smooth the areas even more.

After the cleaning, the hygienist/dentist will floss through all of the contacts making sure all remnants of buildup were removed. You’ll then leave with all the home care recommendations that the dental professional suggests to improve your dental hygiene.

Now it’s time to make sure that you have that cleaning appointment scheduled! It’s so important to your dental health and overall health to stay regular with your cleanings. Please contact us with any questions; we would love to answer them! Call us today at 740/303-4118 to schedule a check-up.

~Haleigh /Dorosti Dental Hygienist & EFDA