Why You Should See the Dentist Every Six Months

Good oral hygiene practiced regularly is the foundation of your smile’s health. That means brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and scheduling a professional teeth cleaning every six months. But if you’re already brushing and flossing at home, why should you also see our Hudsonville dentists for a cleaning? Is a dental appointment twice a year really that important?

The answer is yes, and this goes for individuals who already have healthy teeth. Mainly, this accepted visit frequency allows our team to keep tabs on your teeth and gums should anything arise that warrants quick attention.

Here are a few other reasons why seeing a dentist every six months matters.

Get a Stronger, More Thorough Teeth Cleaning

Brushing and flossing on your own is critical in preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Plaque, the slick film you feel on your teeth in the morning, forms naturally every day, and brushing and flossing is the only way to get rid of it. If you don’t brush and floss, then bacteria will consume the plaque and produce acids that will wear down your teeth and gums.

Read More → How Harmful Is Plaque for My Teeth?

Plaque that builds up over time eventually turns into tartar, a harder substance that can’t be removed with at-home oral hygiene habits. Even if you’re a devoted brusher and flosser, there may be parts of your teeth that are difficult to reach where plaque can build up over time, turning into tartar. Leaving tartar unattended for too long will almost certainly put you on the path toward gum disease and cavity treatment.

During a professional teeth cleaning appointment, our hygienists have the tools, products, and techniques necessary for removing plaque and tartar from your teeth. We’ll also clean in between your teeth thoroughly to keep your smile healthy.

Prevent or Catch Serious Oral Health Problems

When we schedule teeth cleanings with patients, our trained hygienists and local family dentists will do more than just clean teeth and send you on your way. We’ll take this opportunity to check on our patient’s oral health with an oral examination.

During an oral exam, we’ll use dental X-rays to check for oral health issues such as bone abnormalities, impacted teeth, and cysts. We usually do new X-rays every two to five years, so during the visits in between, our dentists will still examine your mouth and use your old X-rays as a sort of roadmap for what issues to be on the lookout for.

Oral exams are a great, non-invasive way to catch severe problems before they get out of hand. For example, coming in for a dental cleaning every six months means having a better chance of catching any signs of gum disease while they’re still reversible. We’ll also be able to keep an eye on developing issues, such as watching as your wisdom teeth start to come in to see if and when they need to be removed. Preventive dentistry will save you both time and money in the long run.

Help Maintain Fresh Breath and a Bright Smile

One often overlooked benefit of regular cleanings is their contribution to fresh breath and a brighter smile. Tartar buildup and bacteria in the mouth can lead to persistent bad breath (halitosis). Getting your teeth cleaned professionally removes these bacteria and plaque, helping you maintain fresh breath.

In addition, the polishing step of a dental cleaning removes surface stains from your teeth, resulting in a brighter, whiter smile. While teeth cleanings aren’t a substitute for professional teeth whitening, they can help keep your teeth looking their best by eliminating stains from coffee, tea, or other foods and beverages.

Get Cosmetic Dentistry Advice From a Reliable Source

When it comes to changing the look of your smile, there’s a lot you can do on your own, particularly in the teeth whitening department. But wouldn’t you rather speak with a professional before trying expensive product after expensive product to find one that works?

By scheduling a teeth cleaning every six months, you have a built-in time to ask an expert about the best way to improve your smile through cosmetic dentistry. We can schedule another appointment to whiten your teeth with a stronger product than what you’d find at the store, or we can tell you more about other options for brightening your smile that you may not have heard of before, such as porcelain veneers.

Factors That Affect How Often You Visit

It’s sufficient for most patients to only visit our Hudsonville, MI, dental office for preventive dental care in the form of a teeth cleaning twice a year. Other patients may require more frequent cleanings due to a variety of influencing factors. Our dentists will review your medical and dental history before making a decision on your cleaning schedule.

Some factors that may impact how often you receive a teeth cleaning include:

• Smoking Habit
• Medical Issues (i.e., Diabetes)
• Family History of Gum Disease
• Medications Taken

Schedule Your Next Teeth Cleaning

Our teeth cleaning dentists in Hudsonville, MI, can help you protect your smile and maintain your oral health. To schedule an appointment, call Hudsonville Dental today at (616) 209-4024, or contact us online.

This blog post has been updated.