Dental cleanings are an essential part of preventive dental care. To achieve a healthy smile, ideally, you should practice preventive dental care at home and in the dentist office. During a routine dental exam, also known as a preventive care visit, a dental hygienist will perform a thorough dental cleaning. Unlike your typically oral hygiene routine, a dental cleaning is designed to remove tartar and plaque buildup from the teeth. Essentially, a dental cleaning removes what daily brushing and flossing cannot remove.
Most dentists recommend patients receive a professional dental cleaning at least twice a year, usually during their preventive care visit. When plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth, it can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Keeping the teeth clean can vastly reduce your risk of developing complex dental problems.
If you have not received a dental cleaning recently, you may want to schedule a preventive care examination. Herndon VA dentist Dr. Mark Jefferies offers a full range of preventive, general, and oral health services for patients of all ages.
In many cases, most dentists will recommend you get a professional dental cleaning at least twice a year. However, some patients may need a dental cleaning more frequently. It will depend on your particular case. For instance, patients at high risk for gum disease may need to have their teeth cleaned regularly.
As mentioned, the presence of certain factors will influence how often you will need to have your teeth cleaned. If you are pregnant, smoke, have a compromised immune system, have gum disease, or are at high risk of developing tooth decay, you may benefit from more frequent dental cleanings. Talk to our team to determine if you need to increase the frequency of your dental cleanings. Dr. Jefferies will be happy to answer any questions you may have, as well as help you improve the health and overall condition of your smile. If you would like to learn more about your options, contact our Herndon, VA dentist office.
Call (703) 793-1771 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.