News & Blog

Dental Cleanings for Prevention  “ It’s NOT just a cleaning”

How often should you visit your dentist? Once a year? Twice a year? 

You’ve heard the expression “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and that’s especially true concerning your oral health.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 34 million school hours and $45 billion in work productivity are lost each year because of emergency dental treatments. 

If a few hours at the dentist a few times a year can prevent problems, interference with normal life and pain, it’s a worthy investment.  Be proactive!

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that patients visit the dentist once a year, bare minimum, for a professional cleaning and checkup.  However, frequency of dental cleanings should be decided by the patient’s dentist based on their oral health, habits, and general physical health.  

Why Come In?

Why do we get our teeth cleaned at the dentist at all? We do that at home, right? Shouldn’t we just visit the dentist to check for cavities and maybe get an X-ray? Here’s why you should get regular dental cleanings from your dentist:

• The dentist uses professional instruments and materials and can reach plaque and bacteria-laden debris that at-home cleanings just can’t.  
• Dental cleanings and examinations are a way for the dentist to check for problems.
• Most oral cancers are discovered at your cleaning appointment.
• Many high blood pressure issues are detected at your cleaning appointment.
• Professional dental cleanings are a way for the patient to learn more about good oral care, like getting tips on proper brushing and flossing.

Talk to Us

There are some factors to discuss with your dentist that influence how often you should get a professional dental cleaning.  

• Habits like smoking, drinking, or a sugary diet. These all leave harmful residue that weaken teeth and gums.  
• Genetics. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), periodontitis is sometimes linked to genes that regulate the body’s inflammatory responses.  
• Lack of water fluoridation. Water fluoridation, overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is not practiced in some cities, including Wichita, Kansas, and San Jose, California.
• Your age and the state of your health. Is the patient a child who has baby teeth?  Are they elderly with some false teeth?  
• Existing illnesses or conditions. Is the patient undergoing a medical treatment like chemotherapy?  What about if they have an autoimmune disease, diabetes, or heart disease? These will all affect how often they should go for a dental cleaning and what the dentist will be focused on.

Open Wide!

Make an appointment with Dr. Fred Blum and Associates for a dental cleaning and exam.

We’ll get to know you and your goals for your dental health. Together, we can determine your best course for care. We focus on you and your individual dental needs.

Remember… “ It’s NOT just a cleaning “