Dental Hygiene Appointments , A Necessity or Vanity ?

You have undoubtedly heard how vital it is to get a professional teeth cleaning to diminish the risk of cavities and gum disease, but how often do you really need to have a cleaning with a dental hygienist? If you have good oral hygiene habits and a healthy mouth, your dentist and dental hygienist will probably suggest professional teeth cleaning at least twice a year. 

Many dental insurance policies will cover two cleanings per year, but few people take full advantage of their benefits. The twice-a-year recommendation isn't random; there are good reasons behind it.

How often should I see a dental hygienist to have my teeth cleaned? This is a very good question and one, with variations, that has been asked hundreds of times. The answer to that question varies according to you – your level of oral hygiene, your genetic predisposition to decay or gum disease and any other habits you may have.  As a general rule, the intervals that are shown by studies to be optimal are:

6 Monthly: if you have perfect teeth with no restoration and no susceptibility to gum disease

4 Monthly: if your mouth has fillings or crowns or a history of any dental disease

2-3 Monthly: - if you show high susceptibility due to dental disease. This could be due to; your dental history, genetics, dry mouth, pregnancy, active orthodontics, or where teeth have been lost and replaced with implants or there are crowns, bridges or dentures present.

We are individuals and thus our mouths build up tartar and plaque at different rates.  For some individuals their tartar build-up starts to form heavily no matter the frequency they clean.  These individuals should be seen every 3 – 4 months. 

Home care and professional cleanings by a Dental Hygienist are vital in keeping Gum Disease at bay.  Gingivitis – the early stage of Gum Disease can be prevented, but once that infection reaches the bone – the disease will be an ongoing 'cancer' – Slowly destroying the bone, the underlying foundation of the teeth.  Prevention = good home care and professional dental cleanings from your Dental Hygienist are your best defence against Gum Disease.

A professional teeth cleaning removes the bacteria that cause plaque, but it begins to re-colonize in your mouth within 24 to 48 hours. Even if you are committed to great dental care at home, some plaque reformation before six months have passed is inevitable. The longer it stays in place, the more of it will calcify onto your teeth. Once it reaches this stage, you won’t be able to remove it yourself. It will require the special tools and skills of your dental hygienist. If you have a professional teeth cleaning twice a year, you are less likely to experience a heavy plaque and tartar build-up that could seriously affect your oral health.

Visiting your dentist and dental hygienist can also reveal early signs of problems that are much more serious than plaque. During a cleaning and a comprehensive dental exam, it’s easy to spot signs of oral cancer, new cavities, receding gums, and even signs of anaemia or other medical problems. Since gum disease is linked to cardiovascular disease, catching it as early as possible can even lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. If you haven’t made professional teeth cleaning a priority, it’s not too late.

In summary, there are many factors that determine how often you should have your teeth cleaned. There is no doubt that your dentist and your hygienist together are best suited to determine how often. They know how to evaluate the health of your gums and after a few appointments can determine how committed you are to taking care of your oral health.

Although it is recommended  that let your hygienist be the judge, you should know that how often he/she will recommend having your teeth cleaned will ultimately depend on you and you alone! Your hygienist can only support you while you are in their care. He or She won’t be following you home and taking care of your gums and teeth between visits—that’s your responsibility. It’s important to remember that treatment is what is done to you; prevention is something that is done by you!