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Maintaining a healthy smile is crucial to your overall health and well-being. It’s true: oral health conditions can strain your immune system and make you more at risk for things like cardiovascular disease and pneumonia, among others. Regular dental cleanings are an essential part of preventive dental care and can help prevent a range of dental issues.
How Often to Schedule a Dental Cleaning
Dr. Shang recommends scheduling a dental cleaning every six months or twice a year for most patients. However, some patients may need more frequent cleanings if they have certain conditions, such as a history of periodontal (gum) disease. We’ll recommend a customized schedule based on your individual needs and oral health factors. Most of these visits are covered by your preventative insurance benefits.
Even if you’re great at brushing and flossing, plaque can calcify in hard-to-reach spaces and turn into tartar. Tartar harbors bacteria that can lead to gum disease and bone loss, so it’s important that you have your teeth cleaned routinely to prevent oral disease.
Importance of Regular Professional Dental Cleanings
Preventative dental cleanings are an important part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime. During your cleaning, our dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar buildup and discuss how to care for any hard-to-reach areas. They will also polish your teeth to remove surface stains to leave your smile looking brighter and cleaner.
Other Aspects of Your Checkup
In addition to having your teeth cleaned, your regular dental checkup will include other important screenings and assessments. Such as checking for oral cancer, taking diagnostic X-ray rays, and screening for gum disease.
Oral cancer is a serious disease that can be life-threatening if it isn’t caught early. During an oral cancer screening, we’ll check for any abnormalities or signs of cancer in your mouth and throat.
X-rays can help detect cavities, infections, or other dental problems that may not be visible during your exam.
And finally, a gum disease screening can help identify signs of periodontal infections, such as pocketing or bone loss, before it progresses into a more serious condition.
Preventative Care vs. Periodontal Therapy
Routine dental visits, like dental cleanings and checkups, help prevent common dental problems. But if it’s been a long time between visits, heavy tartar buildup can trigger gum disease and tooth mobility. Instead of a preventative cleaning, you’ll need periodontal therapy to treat it. Periodontal treatments can include deep cleaning, medication, or even grafting in more severe cases. A simple cleaning won’t be enough.
Both preventative care and periodontal therapy play important roles when it comes to maintaining good oral health. Preventative care can help prevent many dental issues from developing in the first place, while periodontal therapy can help treat existing problems and prevent further damage. Our goal is to prevent issues before they start, which is why we recommend a checkup and cleaning at least twice a year.
How Often to See Our Dentist (Huntington Beach)
Dr. Shang recommends scheduling your dental checkup every six months. Most dental insurance plans cover a preventative dental cleaning twice a year. However, if you have certain conditions, such as gum disease or a history of dental problems, you may need to schedule more frequent appointments.
Regular dental checkups help us detect potential dental issues early on so that we can prevent further complications by treating them earlier. This also reduces your care costs and the time you spend at the dentist’s office! By seeing our Huntington Beach dentist more regularly, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy and ensure a brighter, healthier smile.
Due for Your Dental Cleaning in Huntington Beach?
If you are due for a dental cleaning in Huntington Beach, schedule an appointment with Dr. Wynn Shang today. Our team of experienced dental professionals is committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive dental care to patients of all ages. Whether you need a routine cleaning or a more complex dental procedure, we are here to help you achieve your best smile. Contact us today to schedule.