Consider These Important Benefits of Regular Dental Cleanings

Regular dental cleanings have gotten a bad rap from some sources. A popular rumor states that patients don’t actually need regular dental cleanings every six months. You might also have heard that flossing isn’t actually necessary (it is) and that periodontitis isn’t that common (it’s very common). 

All of these beliefs are, of course, untrue. Regular professional cleanings, in particular, are essential for your overall oral health. At Ueno Center Dental Specialists, we endorse regular cleanings at least every six months, if not more often. 

Our founder, Jeremy K. Ueno, DMD, as well as our other providers, offer all the treatments you need to keep your mouth happy and healthy, including routine appointments. 

Regular dental cleanings 101 

A regular dental cleaning is a routine treatment that ensures your mouth is professionally cleaned. It’s also a time for you to talk to your dentist about any problems you might have noticed. 

Although most of the time, we recommend dental cleanings every six months or so, some of our patients need them every three to four months. This is usually most common for people who need a deep cleaning, especially as a result of gum disease. 

Unfortunately, even though almost all oral health providers recommend cleanings a minimum of every six months, only 64.9% of American adults visited their dentists in the year prior to the survey. 

We’re here to let you know why these men and women are missing out on a number of benefits. 

Frequent dental cleanings matter 

There are a host of reasons to get dental cleanings often and regularly. But let’s start with the biggest one.

They’re good for your long-term oral health

According to a number of studies, including this one, regular cleanings are key to maintaining your oral health over time. They allow you to get rid of plaque you might have missed, even with brushing and flossing effectively at home. 

But socioeconomic disparities can minimize access to regular dental care. As such, many providers are trying to ensure more patients are able to receive the help they need. 

They offer a chance to catch problems early 

One of the greatest causes of periodontal disease is a lack of consistent oral hygiene practices. This problem can get out of control without you noticing. But if you choose to visit us on a consistent basis, we can catch many dental problems before they worsen. 

Another way we might catch a problem early on is through the use of X-rays. These are a common part of regular checkups, and they allow us to treat problems before they worsen. 

You can talk to us 

Another benefit of regular dental cleanings is that you can discuss your oral health, your at-home practices, and many other topics with us. We can assuage fears, give you helpful advice, and generally improve your oral health practices for a long time to come when you visit consistently. 

We get to know you

Another great benefit of regular cleanings is that we learn your needs, habits, and possible problems that could come up down the road. 

For example, if we notice that your sugar intake is causing cavities, we could help you avoid this problem in the future by discussing it with you. Or if you are a smoker, this information could help us know what types of oral problems to watch out for. 

You feel more comfortable at the dentist

It works both ways. As we get to know you, you get to know us better. This makes every time you go to the dentist easier and calmer, which is especially important if you’re nervous about possible dental procedures. 

Time to book your regular cleaning

Are you due for a cleaning? If you can’t remember the last time you had one, you definitely are. Call us today, and we’ll make an appointment for you at our Campbell, California, office.