How Often Should I Get My Teeth Cleaned by a Dentist

April 22, 2021, Bloor Lansdowne Dental Centre

How often should I visit ?

You must make a trip to a dental clinic near you at least once a year. At this visit, the dentist can check if you’re teeth are healthy and deliver a professional cleaning. However, the recommended frequency is to receive a professional cleaning every six months. This recommendation also can vary depending on your specific case. Patients that have a history of gum disease or periodontitis might have to visit a lot more frequently. The same applies if you have a chronic illness such as a heart condition or diabetes due to their proven link to dental problems and complications.

What happens during a dental cleaning ?

The exam
Once you arrive for your appointment to receive your teeth cleaning in Toronto, your dentist will perform a thorough oral exam with a dental mirror. This physical evaluation will determine the condition your teeth are in. The dental mirror they use is a special tool that helps them easily visualize the back of the mouth and other parts of the teeth that aren’t easy to access normally. By performing this evaluation, they can find out if there are any problems to be addressed.

X-rays

After the exam is done, they usually order you some X-rays. These images help your dental professional observe things that cannot be seen with the naked eye. By studying X-rays, your dentist can spot any problems that could exist below the surface of your gums such as impacted teeth, cavities, and tooth decay. Depending on your case, an X-ray might not be necessary every time you visit your dentist in Toronto. Although we can’t deny they’re a helpful tool to diagnose dental conditions, especially those that are underneath the surface of your teeth.

The cleaning

Finally comes time for the cleaning. Your dentist will use special tools to access the space between the gum line and the teeth and remove plaque and tartar. The plaque and tartar need to be scraped with a special tool called a scaler. Once tartar is formed, this is the only way to remove plaque buildup. After this step, your dental professional will utilize a high potency toothbrush combined with a gritty toothpaste to scrub the surface of your teeth. This scrubbing will not only clean the teeth and remove stains but also will remove the tartar and debris remaining. Some dentists follow this step with flossing if they need to remove any residue. If there’s no need for flossing then they can go ahead to the last step, which is rinsing.

Something to remember

Lastly, remember that being on top of your oral hygiene will make you have a smoother experience at the dentist. So, what are you waiting for? Seek teeth cleaning near you regularly, and enjoy a healthy smile for life.

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