How Often Should You Get Your Teeth Cleaned?

If you practice good oral hygiene with diligent daily brushing and flossing, you’ve probably wondered how often you should get your teeth cleaned by your dentist. Perhaps you’ve asked your dentist, “Is once a year good enough, or could I get by with a cleaning every 18 months?” Or maybe you schedule biannual professional dental cleanings as part of your standard oral health care regimen.

However, many people underestimate the importance of professional dental cleanings and are unsure how often they should get their teeth cleaned. Thus, the dentists at Southwest Florida’s Island Tower Dentistry recommend a schedule of teeth cleanings for each patient, based on their oral health and other factors. Drs. Jonathan Van Dyke and Ryan Whelen inform their Marco Island-area patients that while brushing and flossing are essential for maintaining oral health, professional cleaning optimizes self-care and helps ensure ongoing tooth and gum health. Let’s review how these dental experts address the issue of how often you should get your teeth cleaned and detail how its benefits go beyond those you receive from regular brushing and flossing.

The General Rule: Every Six Months

The American Dental Association (ADA) does not have a set fast rule about how often you should get your teeth cleaned. Instead, the association recommends “regular” dental checkups that include cleaning, with the intervals between them determined by the dentist based on each patient’s specific oral health needs. Generally, the ADA recommends that most people benefit from twice-yearly professional cleanings. However, it notes that individuals with the highest risk of gum disease, tooth decay, or other oral health issues should undergo professional cleaning three to four times a year as a preventive measure.

Professional teeth cleaning goes beyond your home care regimen to remove any plaque and tartar buildup that your daily brushing and flossing efforts may have missed. By eliminating plaque and tartar from hard-to-reach places, professional cleaning helps reduce the risk of cavities and can prevent or halt the progression of periodontal disease. The polishing step in a professional cleaning also removes surface stains and smooths the enamel, hindering the adherence of future plaque and tartar.

When You Might Need More Frequent Cleanings

Your Marco Island dentist will personalize cleaning frequency based on specific oral health needs and/or distinct risk factors. They may recommend three to four professional cleanings annually if you are affected by any of the following issues:

• Periodontal Disease: Those with gum inflammation or bone loss caused by gingivitis or periodontitis require more frequent cleanings to manage bacterial buildup and prevent progression.
• Prone to Cavities: Whatever the cause, more frequent cleanings are needed to remove plaque, protect enamel, and apply fluoride.
• Orthodontics: Braces, retainers, and aligners can trap plaque, increasing the risk of enamel erosion and gum irritation.
• Smoking or Other Tobacco Use: These habits encourage plaque and tartar buildup, heightening gum disease risk.
• Diabetes: When poorly controlled, diabetes can impair gum healing and increase infection risk, making more frequent cleanings indispensable for controlling periodontal issues.
• Immune Disorders: More frequent cleanings help prevent oral infections, which the body may have trouble controlling on its own.
• Pregnancy: Hormonal changes enhance the risk of gingivitis, which can be controlled with more frequent cleanings.
• Genetic Predispositions: Some people are inherently more susceptible to gum disease and need the added protection of more frequent professional cleanings.
• Aging: Older adults face natural gum recession and dry mouth, leading to increased tartar buildup, which should be controlled with more frequent cleanings.

Signs You May Be Overdue for a Cleaning

If you cannot remember the last time your teeth were professionally cleaned in Marco Island, or you’re not sure whether you need more frequent cleanings, the following signs indicate that you may be overdue:

• Swollen or bleeding gums
• Receding gum line
• Persistent bad breath
• Visible plaque or tartar buildup
• Noticeable yellowing or other discoloration
• Tooth sensitivity
• Chronic dry mouth

If you ignore these warning signs, you face an increased risk to your oral health by allowing the formation and progression of cavities, gum disease, and other issues. So, book a checkup and professional cleaning with your Marco Island dentist when you notice any warning signs.

What to Expect During a Professional Cleaning at Island Tower Dentistry

When you book a professional teeth cleaning session with Southwest Florida’s Island Tower Dentistry, you will receive the best personalized, gentle cleaning from our skilled hygienists, who use the most advanced dental technology. We offer the application of light numbing balms to those with sensitive teeth and provide oral conscious sedation for those who suffer from significant dental anxiety. As part of your cleaning, we also offer a gum health assessment and oral cancer screening to ensure optimal oral health further.

Why Choose Island Tower Dentistry in Marco Island, FL?

Regularly scheduled professional dental cleanings are highly effective in preserving overall health. The dental professionals at Island Tower Dentistry strive to deliver the best preventive and cosmetic dentistry for their Marco Island-area patients. But don’t just take our word for it; instead, check out what more than 1,000 patients have had to say about the outstanding dental care they have received from our dedicated staff.

Schedule your dental cleaning with Island Tower Dentistry today and keep your teeth looking and feeling their best. You can contact our office for convenient appointment booking online or by calling 239-394-1004.