How Often Should You Schedule a Comprehensive Dental Exam and Cleaning?

You’ve probably heard that you need to visit your dentist every six months. And for many patients, it’s true. But there’s no rule that fits every smile. So how often do you need to schedule your dental exams and cleanings? Here’s what the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends and how our team at Dentistry of Fort Worth determines the ideal schedule for your oral health.

How Often Should You Visit Your Dentist?

The American Dental Association recommends regular dental visits at intervals your dentist determines based on your oral health and history. For most patients with healthy teeth and gums, dental professionals typically recommend dental exams and cleanings every six months. However, you may benefit from more frequent visits if you have gum disease, a history of frequent cavities, diabetes, a weak immune system, or other risk factors for oral health problems.

What Actually Happens During Your Exam?

First, we will take digital X-rays and use an intraoral camera to check for early signs of problems, such as tooth decay starting between teeth, bone loss, tooth root problems, impacted teeth, and more. Next, we will check each tooth, your gums, and dental work, as well as the alignment of your teeth and bite.

Every exam will include a quick and painless oral cancer screening. We will check your gums, tongue, muscles, and soft tissue around your mouth to rule out any areas of concern. Caught early, oral cancer has the best chances of successful treatment, which is why this simple screening is often life-saving.

After your exam, your dentist will explain any findings. If you need any restorative care, we’ll explain why and always recommend the best treatment options for you. We may also recommend preventive measures, if needed, to keep your smile healthy and strong.

How About Your Dental Cleaning?

Our team will gently clean away the plaque and calculus that have accumulated around and between your teeth, the areas your toothbrush can’t effectively clean. Next is polishing, which lifts surface stains, and professional flossing to clear any plaque or debris left behind. Your dental cleaning will leave your smile minty fresh and bright, and reduce your risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.

But what if your gums are infected or inflamed? We may recommend different periodontal therapies including a gingivitis cleaning or scaling and root planing (also known as a “deep cleaning”). This procedure is recommended for patients with periodontal disease. For this type of cleaning, we clean plaque and calculus from above and below the gum line and smooth your tooth root surfaces so your gums can heal and reattach. From then on, we’ll want to see you for periodontal maintenance every three to four months to make sure your gum health stays on track.

Our team at Dentistry of Fort Worth is always happy to offer personalized tips on proper brushing and flossing techniques and healthy habits for long-term healthy smiles. Our goal is to keep your smile healthy between dental visits.

Why Keep Up with Regular Dental Exams and Cleanings?

Regular dental exams and cleanings are incredibly important for your smile, and here are some reasons why:

• Removing stubborn plaque and calculus helps reduce your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health concerns.
• Regular exams allow us to detect problems, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections, in their earliest stages, when they are easiest to treat.
• Professional cleanings help remove surface tooth stains, leaving your smile looking clean and bright.
• Our team provides tailored recommendations to help keep your smile healthy between regular visits.
• Preventive care helps you avoid more extensive and costly procedures in the future.

Staying current with your preventive visits helps protect your smile and allows you to enjoy excellent oral health for years to come.

Dental Exams and Cleanings Near You in Fort Worth, TX

If you haven’t been to the dentist lately, or if you are due for a dental exam and cleaning, contact us at Dentistry of Fort Worth to schedule your visit. Our friendly dentists and team never spare any effort to ensure you are comfortable at every step. We’re here to help you maintain a healthy smile for many years to come. Call us at (817) 765-1600 to schedule an appointment or request one online today.