15Oct
Signs You Might Need to Increase Your Teeth Cleaning Frequency
Getting regular dental cleanings is one of the best things you can do to maintain good oral health. What does “regular” mean in this context, though? The answer is a little different for every patient. Let’s discuss how often the average person should get a dental cleaning and why you might need more frequent cleanings than the standard schedule dictates.
Why Regular Cleanings Are So Important
You’ve probably heard that dentists recommend getting a dental cleaning once every six months. To understand why, it’s important to understand what tartar is and how it affects your oral health. It forms in a simple five-step process:
- Every time you eat, you leave behind particles of food in your mouth.
- Your saliva breaks these particles down into sugars.
- Those sugars are consumed by the bacteria in your mouth.
- The bacteria mix with your sugary saliva to form a sticky biofilm we call plaque.
- Plaque eventually hardens into tartar.
Tartar irritates your gums and promotes tooth decay, so it’s not a good idea to let it sit on your teeth. Dental cleanings remove tartar that has built up on your teeth over time. For most people, getting a cleaning once every six months is just enough to keep tartar in check.
Signs You Might Need More Frequent Cleanings
Some people benefit from getting cleanings every three or four months instead of every six. Here are some signs you might be one of them.
- You have a high-sugar diet. Sugary and starchy foods provide more food for bacteria compared to other options. The more of these foods you eat, the more quickly tartar will build up on your teeth.
- You accumulate tartar quickly. Some people are more prone to tartar buildup than others. If you have this problem, booking extra cleanings is a good way to protect your oral health.
- Your teeth stain easily. If your teeth develop heavy stains after just a few months, consider getting some extra cleanings in each year. Surface stains not only dim your beautiful smile, but also roughen the surface of your teeth and make it easier for plaque and tartar to get stuck there. Cleanings buff away those stains and leave your teeth bright, shiny, and smooth enough to keep tartar at bay.
- You have reduced salivary flow. Genetic conditions, smoking, alcohol use, and certain medications may cause your body to produce less saliva. Since saliva helps wash away plaque, this can lead to excessive tartar buildup that requires more frequent cleanings.
- Your dentist recommended it. If your dentist says you need extra cleanings, it’s best to follow their advice. Their expertise and knowledge of your oral health history put them in the best position to determine the optimal cleaning schedule for you.
Book Your Next Cleaning at Ouellette Family Dentistry
Whenever you’re ready for your next dental cleaning, our staff here at Ouellette Family Dentistry will be happy to help. Call us today or fill out our online request form to book your appointment today.