Importance Of Seeing Your Dentist Every 6 Months

Have you ever wondered why you should see your dentist every 6 months? Many patients put their appointments off, failing to see the importance of seeing their dentist at least twice a year. This lets small problems become big ones.

To understand why you should have regular visits, you need to know what happens in a cleaning. A cleaning is broken up into two phases - an exam and a cleaning.

 

What does a dentist look for?

When you arrive at your appointment and make it to the chair, your dentist will begin with an examination. They look for many things like cavities, tartar build-up, gum health, tongue health, and even check for early signs of cancer.

Making this part of routine check-ups is vital because each of these things are good indicators of your overall oral health. Your dentist can track the progressions of potential issues, find problems before they worsen, and give you personal advice on how you can practice better oral hygiene.

It’s important to have a dentist take a close look at your oral health because worrisome signs can almost be invisible to the untrained eye. You can’t find most issues on your own, and when you do notice them, it may already have grown into a more serious problem.

 

What happens during a cleaning at the dentist?

Even if you brush your teeth and floss every day, you still need to regularly get your teeth cleaned at least once every six months. Your dentist uses special tools to deeply clean areas of your teeth and gums, all while taking a close look at your teeth.

A typical dental cleaning consists of removing tartar and plaque, a fluoride treatment, rinse, toothpaste cleaning, and deep flossing. Tartar can build up and harden over time, damaging your teeth and becoming more difficult to remove.

Once tartar has formed, only a dentist can remove it for you. Prevent tartar and plaque build-up by practicing good dental hygiene and seeing your dentist every 6 months for a check-up and cleaning.

 

How long does a cleaning take?

You might be surprised to learn that a cleaning typically lasts anywhere from 30-minutes to an hour. So, before you say you don’t have the time to visit your dentist twice a year, remember that it doesn’t take a lot of time.

Regular cleanings are a good investment of your time and can save you a lot of trouble in the future. You can also plan your appointments with your dentist far in advance, giving yourself enough time to prepare.

 

Teeth cleanings in Irvine, California

Now that you know the importance of seeing your dentist every 6 months, it’s time to schedule a cleaning. If you live in or around the Irvine area, visit O.C. Lakes Dental for your next routine cleaning. You can schedule your appointment online at any time or call us during our regular business hours