If you went to your dentist
for a check-up and dental clean in the last year, give yourself a pat on the
back. Not everyone loves the dentist, but research shows people who visit at least once a
year for preventative care are healthier and happier with their mouths.
Why do I need to get
my teeth cleaned?
While we all do what we
can on our own, professional teeth cleaning removes plaque, the soft yellowish build-up, and
calculus (hardened plaque) we can't get to. This soft build-up is made up of
billions of different types of bacteria that live and reproduce in our mouth by
feeding on the food we eat.
Most bacteria live in
our bodies without causing too much trouble. But certain bacteria in dental
plaque, when they grow in numbers, can lead to cavities (holes in the teeth)
or gum
disease.
A dental cleaning will
reduce your chance of getting cavities or gum disease by significantly reducing the amount of plaque and calculus in your
mouth.
So how often?
We are all different
when it comes to how often we should get our teeth professionally clean. The
frequency of our dental cleanings should be suggested by our dentist, who is
the one that knows our mouth condition and our risk factors. Some people are at
higher risk of getting dental cavities or gum disease this group should get
their teeth cleaned more often.
We know certain health and lifestyle
factors can affect a person's
risk of developing cavities and gum disease. Here are some yes/no questions you
can ask yourself to understand whether you're at a higher risk:
1.
Is your drinking water or toothpaste fluoride-free?
2.
Do you snack a lot,
including on sweets?
3.
Do you avoid flossing?
4.
Do you have dry mouth?
5.
Do you brush your
teeth less than twice a day?
6.
Do you visit your
dentist for toothaches rather than check-ups?
7.
Do you need new
fillings every time you visit the dentist?
8.
Do you have to wear an
appliance in your mouth such as a removable partial denture or braces?
9.
Do you suffer from a
chronic long-term health condition such as diabetes?
If you answered
"yes" to more than 3 of these questions, you're likely to need to see
your dentist or hygienist at least every six months, if not more often.
As well as removing
the bug-loaded plaque and calculus, people prone to cavities benefit from the fluoride treatment after
scaling.
Evidence shows
professional fluoride treatment every six months can lead to a 30% reduced risk of developing cavities, needing fillings
or having teeth removed.
Dental health is
related to our overall health
Some people with chronic health issues such as heart conditions or diabetes
will need to see the dentist more frequently. This is because they are more prone to inflammation
and gum disease.
People taking blood thinners and other medications, such as pills and
infusions for osteoporosis, may need to visit the dentist more regularly
too. These medications can complicate the process of an extraction or other
dental work, so regular checks and cleanings are best to help detect problems
before they become serious.
People with bleeding
gums should also see their dental practitioners more often. This is especially important if you have been diagnosed with advanced
gum disease, known as periodontal disease.
Some
people prefer to go more
often to reduce the chance of a nasty toothache.
There are many
benefits to regular checks and cleanings. Visiting the hygienist and dentist
regularly helps reduce the chance of needing more complex and expensive dental
treatment later on.
So, eat healthy, brush
better (preferably with an electric toothbrush), floss more often and visit your
dentist/hygienist at least twice a year.
