How Often Should You Get a Dental Cleaning?

Most people know that a dental cleaning should be done regularly to help ensure optimal oral health. However, what is unclear is how often that process should be done. Here, we provide a detailed answer to that question. Keep reading to learn more about the frequency that dental cleanings should be performed.

Dental cleanings and their frequencies

This is a quick rundown of how often it is recommended to undergo a dental cleaning. This information should be reviewed by those who are unsure how often to have their teeth cleaned.

Generally speaking

In general, the teeth should undergo a dental cleaning twice a year or every six months. This ensures that plaque or tartar is removed before becoming problematic. While at-home oral hygiene can keep many problems at bay, the dentist's office is the only way to ensure 100% optimal health, as the dentist can catch things that are not obvious to the naked eye. Additionally, dental offices have access to resources that the average person does not.

Children

The answer can vary when it comes to how often a dental cleaning should be done for children. Infants and toddlers with one or a few teeth will not require a full dental cleaning. However, the dentist will want to clean the existing teeth three to four times a year until the rest develop.

After all of the baby teeth have come in, it is recommended to have children's teeth cleaned at least twice a year. However, it is ideal to have it done three to four times a year, especially if the child consumes many foods and beverages high in sugar.

Specific circumstances

While children and the average adult have certain standards, there are specific circumstances worth being aware of when it comes to the frequency at which dental cleanings are undergone. Having an understanding of these circumstances may prove to be helpful.

First, some people are naturally more prone to have debris and plaque build up on their teeth and along their gumlines. In both cases, it is typically advised to undergo dental cleanings more frequently, such as every three to four months, as opposed to twice a year.

Another instance would be for those who have recently experienced a bad infection, such as a cavity. Follow-up dental cleanings would help prevent an infection from re-developing. Lastly, those who have recently been diagnosed with gum disease will be required to undergo a dental cleaning more often, sometimes as frequently as every other month. This ensures that the gums get back to optimal condition.