Are dental cleanings worth your time and money? You bet!
Here’s why to consider annual or semi-annual dental cleanings.
Even if you’re a five-star brusher and flosser and you aren’t experiencing dental pain, regular dental exams & cleanings allow your dentist to detect small, unseen concerns so they don’t grow into full-fledged problems requiring more serious intervention.
Are dental cleanings painful?
A dental cleaning can be painful, especially if you don’t floss on a regular basis. That’s because flossing does a lot of the plaque removal job. So, if you don’t floss, the hygienist will have to scrape more hard deposits from your teeth.
However, most cleanings and dental examinations are simple and completely painless. The more regularly you see your dentist the less there is to clean, making your procedure less invasive. In fact, waiting too long between cleanings can mean more buildup on your teeth. Your immune system responds to debris forming above and below the gum line, and this can create increased sensitivity and more work for the hygienist.
What is the cost to clean your teeth?
Believe it or not, regular dental hygiene and check-ups can significantly lower your overall dental costs because the cleaner your teeth are, the less time your hygienist needs to spend with you. Each year, the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) publishes suggested fees, although costs can vary slightly from office to office.
Dental insurance benefits can greatly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, so be sure to find out from your provider how much they will cover before booking your appointment. Read this to learn about the breakdown of fees quoted in the Ontario Dental Hygienist’s Association (ODA) 2022 fee guide.
How often should you get your teeth cleaned?
In general, most guidelines recommend that patients should make an appointment for a professional cleaning every six months. While this is ideal for most people, some will need to come in every three months and others will only need to come in every nine or 12 months.
That said, if you are flossing and brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, you can expect to need a cleaning every six months. Your dentist may suggest that you visit more or less often depending on how fast tartar builds up on your teeth. You can also reduce visits by maintaining a balanced diet, avoiding sugary sweets and refraining from smoking.
Is it time to have your teeth cleaned? We provide dental examinations and cleanings in Brampton and Bramalea and nearby areas that will leave your breath feeling minty clean and fresh.
We do teeth cleaning dentistry for families including kids, teens, adults and seniors. Call 905-791-3867 or book your next appointment online today!
New patients are always welcome!
Dr. F. Keshavarz Dentistry, DDS
