While the six-month rule is a good and general guideline, it may not be necessary for everyone. How often you need dental cleanings depends on you and your overall oral health.
Factors Influencing the Frequency of Dental Cleanings
- Low-risk patient — If you have good oral hygiene and a good track record of coming in for cleanings free of cavities and gum disease, we might suggest lengthening the interval between cleanings. Not by a dramatic amount, as dental cleanings are meant to give your teeth a good scrub and take care of plaque and tartar buildup, along with making sure you don't have any other areas of concern, as we can catch problems before they get severe.
- High-risk patients — If you have a history of dental issues, such as gum disease, cavities, or certain health conditions like diabetes, along with smoking or dry mouth, frequent cleanings are going to be recommended for you.
Making the Correct Choice for Dental Cleanings
The best way to determine how often you should get a dental cleaning is to have a conversation with us, and we will be honest about how long you should wait between cleanings based on your history and overall oral health.
Regular teeth cleanings are important for your preventive oral health. While 6 months is a generally recommended interval for dental cleanings, it is ultimately up to you when we specifically recommend you come in for a dental cleaning in Sweetwater, TN.