Let’s face it; very few people are excited to visit the dentist. Unless pain is involved, then they can’t get in fast enough. But if you aren’t in pain, how often should you see your dentist? Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily with your favorite dental products is vital to keeping your mouth healthy, but you can’t rely on your favorite dental products to take care of your teeth exclusively.

For many, genetics plays a more prominent role in the health of their teeth, and no amount of brushing or flossing will prevent tooth decay or other dental issues from occurring. While scheduling routine dental cleanings may not be exciting, seeing your dentist is crucial to taking care of your oral health. But how often should you see your dentist?

How often should you see your dentist? Just like every person has different health needs for their body, the same goes for their oral health. Some people are genetically more prone to oral health issues requiring more frequent visits to their dentist, while others only need to maintain their routine dental cleanings and checkups. Here are a few general rules and guidelines to help you know how often you should see your dentist to maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.

Routine dental cleanings are vital to keeping your smile clean and healthy. The amount of time between routine dental cleanings depends on the person and the type of dental cleaning they require. Call your dental office to schedule a cleaning and dental checkup if it has been a while since your last dental visit. Once your dentist and hygiene team have finished your cleaning and exam, they will work with you to plan the best course of treatment based on the health of your mouth. This will determine how often you should see your dentist.

1. Routine Dental Cleanings or Prophylaxis

A routine dental cleaning or Prophylaxis is also known as a healthy mouth cleaning. These routine cleanings are scheduled every six months to keep your mouth healthy and plaque- free. A routine dental cleaning removes any plaque, tarter, or light staining on the teeth above the gum line. A routine dental cleaning also includes polishing your teeth for an extra clean and fresh feeling. Even the most avid brushers and flossers can use help from their professional hygiene team. Once your hygienist has completed the cleaning, your dentist will perform a routine exam to ensure you don’t have any new areas of decay or other areas of concern. If all looks healthy, you won’t need to come back until your next dental cleaning in 4-6 months.

2. Gingival Scale

A gingival scale is a type of cleaning needed when you have Gingivitis. Gingivitis is inflammation and bleeding of the gums. A gingival scale is similar to a routine dental cleaning, but your dental team will also go below the gum line to remove any additional plaque and tartar. Numbing isn’t typically needed, but topical numbing agents can be used to decrease discomfort. A gingival scale is generally only needed once, if you continue to receive your routine dental cleanings. If you don’t continue with your routine dental cleanings, you may need a gingival scale again in the future. Your dental team will generally schedule a follow-up appointment 4-6 weeks after a gingival scale to see if the inflammation in your gums has gone down. If your gums have not responded well, your dental team will suggest moving forward with a deep cleaning.

3. Deep Cleaning/Scaling and Root Planing

A deep cleaning, also referred to as scaling and root planning, is required specifically for Periodontal Disease. Those with Periodontal Disease experience gum inflammation and bone loss and require Periodontal maintenance typically every 3-4 months after the initial deep cleaning. A deep cleaning usually requires two separate appointments. Your dental team will numb the entire side of your mouth with an injection, and the cleaning generally lasts between an hour and a half to two hours. A deep cleaning is a thorough cleaning that goes below the gum line and removes plaque and tarter off of the roots of the teeth. Your dental team will schedule a follow-up appointment 4-6 weeks after your deep cleaning to see how your gums respond. If there is still significant inflammation, your dental team may refer you to a dentist specializing in gum tissue known as a Periodontist.

If you have healthy teeth and a healthy mouth but don’t love the look of your smile, schedule an appointment with your dentist to learn what options you have for a smile makeover. Maybe it’s something as simple as teeth whitening treatments or filing a couple of teeth for a smoother edge. Perhaps you want a completely new smile that requires veneers or crowns. Or, it could be something more complex like straightening your teeth with braces or Invisalign. In this case, your dentist will refer you to an orthodontist to help you achieve your smile goals.

Always schedule an appointment with your dental team for any tooth pain or mouth discomfort. Your immediate pain is an indication that something isn’t right and needs immediate attention. The longer you wait to see your dentist, the worse something can become. An infection in your mouth can spread to other parts of your body through your bloodstream, causing serious health issues.

For example, if you experience popping or clicking in your jaw, that causes pain when you talk or eat. Or, if you notice any swelling or dental lesions such as lumps, bumps, or anything that looks like it doesn’t belong in your mouth, contact your dentist’s office immediately to schedule an appointment.

So, how often should you see your dentist? While making time to see your dentist might not be the most exciting appointment in your calendar, it will help keep your beautiful smile bright and healthy. And just as important, scheduling routine dental cleanings can help prevent more visits to your dentist in the future for more destructive issues in your mouth. It also never hurts to freshen up your at-home dental care routine!

Check out our favorite dental products to keep stocked in your bathroom at home!

Toothbrushes and Waterpiks

• Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige Rechargeable Electric Power Toothbrush with SenseIQ
• Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9500 Rechargeable Electric Power Toothbrush
• Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9700 Rechargeable Electric Power Toothbrush
• Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean Rechargeable Toothbrush 2-Pack
• Philips Sonicare Genuine W DiamondClean Replacement Toothbrush Heads
• Philips Sonicare Genuine C3 Premium Plaque Control Toothbrush Heads
• hum by Colgate Smart Electric Toothbrush Kit
• hum by Colgate Smart Manual Kids Toothbrush 
• hum by Colgate Replacement Toothbrush Heads
• Goby Electric Toothbrush
• Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser With Travel Bag and 4 Tips

Toothpaste, Mouthwash, and Floss

• Sensodyne Pronamel Intensive Enamel Repair Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth
• Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth, Mint Flavor
• Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste, Mint Flavor, Gluten Free
• GUM 891J Professional Clean Flossers Extra Strong Flosser Pick, Fresh Mint, 40 Count
• Listerine UltraClean Access Flosser with Refill Pack (Pack of 3)
• Stainless Steel Professional Tongue Scraper Cleaner
• TheraBreath Plus Fresh Breath Dentist Formulated Maximum Strength 24-Hour Oral Rinse

Teeth Whitening

• Opalescence at Home Teeth Whitening Gel Syringes 
• Opalescence Go 15% Teeth Whitening Trays, 10 Pack, Mint Flavor
• iSmile Teeth Whitening Kit
• Crest 3D Teeth Whitening Strips Kit
• Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen, Teeth Stain Remover to Whiten Teeth

Gum

• PUR 100% Xylitol Chewing Gum, Sugarless Spearmint Flavored Gum

Dentures, Retainers, and Mouth Guards

• M3 Naturals Retainer and Denture Cleaner
• Fresh Guard Soak by Efferdent, Cleans Guards & Retainers

What are some of your favorite dental products to keep your mouth clean and healthy? Did you know how often you should see your dentist before reading this article? Do you schedule routine dental cleanings with your dental team? Comment Below.