Why do you need your teeth cleaned every 6 months?

You’ve probably heard somewhere along the way that getting a teeth cleaning every 6 months is a must. But is it really necessary to visit the dentist twice a year? The short answer is yes. Here are 3 reasons why.

1. It’s a check up for your teeth

Just like you go to the doctor for a check up—you need to go to the dentist for a check up on your teeth. Getting your teeth cleaned gives your dentist an opportunity to take a look at your oral health. Are you having any inflammation? Do you have signs of gingivitis? There are things that you might not necessarily be able to see or identify yourself.

Not only will your dental hygienist will look at your teeth for signs of gingivitis, inflammation, bleeding and tenderness, but they will evaluate your mouth for any other issues that are out of the ordinary. Having a check up every six months allows for your hygienist to catch problems you might not recognize before it develops into something worse. By diagnosing problems early, you’re much more likely to return your oral health to a more healthy state.

2. Prevent plaque and tartar build up

Bacteria that causes periodontal disease begins to build on your teeth in less than three months! It’s important to get that off of your teeth before it really hardens and causes gingivitis and periodontitis.  When you have your teeth cleaned professionally, it allows the dental hygienist to remove stains and plaque build up from your teeth that your brush and flossing skills might miss.  

When you miss plaque, tartar develops when plaque is not completely removed. If you don’t remove tartar, there are long-term effects that can follow. It can cause:

  • Irritation to the gum tissue
  • Cause bleeding or gingivitis
  • Pain
  • Bad breath
  • Gum disease

You can’t remove tartar at home. A professional cleaning is the only way to get rid of the unsightly tartar that can weaken your overall oral health.

3. Protect yourself from tooth decay

You only get one set of teeth in your lifetime. It’s important to take care of them. Not taking care of your teeth can lead to tooth decay. Not only is it painful and can cause a sense of embarrassment to lose a tooth to tooth decay, it’s also expensive to replace with a dental implant or other dental replacement options.

It’s important to know that tooth decay happens over time. If you are coming to the dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning, we can diagnose the issues causing tooth decay and formulate a plan to save and restore the teeth that are affected.

No one is perfect and getting behind on your teeth cleaning sessions happens. We’re here to help. Whatever your unique case might be, when you come to Balanced Dental Studio for dental care, you’re in good hands. To schedule a routine dental cleaning today, call us at 303-732-8909 or book an appointment online.

To learn more about our general dentistry services at our Lakewood, Colorado dental clinic, visit this page here.

About the Author

Dr. Elizabeth Turner is a whole-health, family dentist in Lakewood, CO who provides general, restorative, and cosmetic dental care. She focuses on the mouth-body connection and helps her patients smile confidently, breathe clearer, and live healthier lives. 

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