They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. If that’s the case, then the smile is the lighthouse that draws people towards those windows. A single smile can brighten a room, and make someone’s day turn from bad to great. A smile can give confidence, and show confidence. That is why it’s important to take care of it!
The truth is, we only get one set of natural teeth in our lifetimes; and fixing them can be a nightmare for everyone involved. Taking care of your teeth is something that should be of the highest priority. But, for many, that simply means brushing and flossing regularly. However, seeing your dentist often is also essential to keeping your shiny teeth sparkling.
Regular dental check-ups and teeth cleanings are a great way to ensure that everything is perfect between those pearly whites. But, how often is it necessary to actually go and get a cleaning and check-up? Well, there’s no exact answer for that.
FREQUENT CLEANING IS ESSENTIAL
The general rule of thumb is that everyone should go have their teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months. While that rule of thumb might be a great guideline, it is not exactly gospel. In many cases, the frequency of professional cleaning can change drastically. It can change based on:
- Personal oral hygiene.
- Personal medical history/condition.
- Personal habits.
This means that a number of external and internal factors can change the need for seeing your dentist. In general, people who might need to see a dentist for cleaning more often could be:
- People with preexisting conditions such as gum disease, diabetes, pregnancy, autoimmune diseases, and more.
- People with poor dental habits or poor habits in general, such as smoking.
- People who find that they tend to experience tooth decay far more easily than others.
These circumstances can lead to dire consequences with your health and your teeth if left unchecked. That is why it is always a great idea to speak to your dentist about what your recommended check-up and cleaning schedule should be. Your dentist will be able to design a custom cleaning schedule for you, so that you can avoid any potential problems in the future.
HOW TO PREVENT FREQUENT DENTAL VISITS
It’s always best to see your dentist as often as they personally recommend for you. That’s because prolonging the visits can lead to serious issues down the road–issues that could become costly.
However, in general, there are some things that you can do to reduce the need for frequent visits. This all boils down to taking excellent care of your teeth. You should be brushing twice per day, and flossing once per day. These are the best ways to keep the dentist at bay!
For those who do a great job at preventing gum disease or decay, your dentist might recommend that you see them less and less frequently. However, two times per year is almost always going to be the standard minimum no matter what.
