How often is it advisable to have a dental cleaning?

 This is one of the most frequently asked questions among patients.

But what is dental cleaning?

Dental cleaning is a dental treatment that helps us to remove tartar and bacterial plaque that accumulates in the mouth and are not removed with daily brushing.

Despite following proper dental hygiene and brushing at least twice a day, there are some areas of the mouth where bacteria can remain, and plaque can accumulate.

It is, therefore, essential to remember that this treatment does not replace daily cleaning but rather complements it.

Why should you have regular dental cleanings?

The bacterial plaque and tartar that accumulate in our mouth can cause some conditions to appear more frequently, such as:

• Gingivitis: inflammation of the gums.
• Periodontal disease: is the evolution of gingivitis and can lead to bone loss or even loss of some teeth due to lack of support.
• Caries: produced by those bacteria that increase in the mouth.

How often should I have my teeth cleaned?

Dentists recommend a dental cleaning at least once a year, although the ideal is to do it every six months to maintain our oral health.

In addition, patients who are undergoing orthodontic treatment should be even more careful in their cleaning and may require more frequent professional cleanings.  Likewise, patients who have received periodontal treatment and tend to accumulate a more significant amount of tartar may require cleanings every 3-4 months or as often as your dentist stipulates.

Dental cleaning is a painless and straightforward treatment that lasts approximately 30 minutes, depending on the amount of tartar and plaque removed.

It is usually performed with ultrasound, which dissociates the calculus through low-frequency waves and facilitates cleaning, although it can also be done manually with curettes. Recently, aero-polishers have emerged as a complement to cleaning.