There’s no doubt we’ve all asked the question at some point, especially after that notification letter or text from our dentist. Well, those who advocate for a regular cleaning twice a year are certainly onto something, and six months is usually how often you should go to the dentist for a checkup.

From general hygiene benefits to the prevention of more serious conditions, a cleaning is the perfect way to keep your oral health in check, and twice a year seems to be the gold standard for how often you should go. But for those who are still unsure of how often to undergo dental cleaning and the benefits, here are some specific reasons you should see your dentist every six months.

Benefits of Seeing a Dentist Every Six Months

Among the many benefits of seeing a dentist every six months, the most obvious reasons pertain to the health and quality of your teeth. Preventive dental care and a cleaning twice a year is a great way to make sure your teeth are sparkly and healthy, and also to help you catch other common oral conditions before or just as they happen.

These conditions include:

Cavities: The dreaded cavity, an extremely popular but annoying condition that tends to arise after extended periods of improper cleaning or flossing. It’s often hard to tell whether or not you have a cavity, but a dentist can always check to make sure, and to perform the proper filling.

Ulcers: Anyone who’s dealt with a mouth ulcer will explain how frustrating they are, and how they seem to come on out of nowhere. Whether it’s serious or not, a dentist will be able to diagnose what’s going on, and tell you how to address the issue.

Plaque Build-up: The buildup of plaque is generally what makes our teeth need a good scrubbing. Proper daily hygiene can alleviate much of this plaque and tartar, but a larger buildup can lead to other conditions such as tooth decay, root canals, and gum disease. Having your dentist pick away at this plaque, of course, helps in the prevention of these conditions.

Bad breath: Persistent bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be a sign of bacteria build up, gum disease, or food particles stuck in the teeth. The most diligent brushing and flossing routine can miss spots. Regular professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar that cause odor, giving you fresh breath.

Overall Health: Research suggests that your oral health has a direct role to play in your general health and well-being. The mouth is often considered a “window” to your body, and when it’s healthy, it prevents harmful bacteria from entering your bloodstream. Proper dental hygiene can help prevent conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, dementia, and cancer.

What Happens During a Dental Checkup?

A quality dental checkup is a well-rounded assessment of your oral health that gives your dentist a chance to catch problems early, offer personalized guidance, and help you maintain long-term wellness. Here’s what you can expect during your six-month dental checkup.

Comprehensive Oral Examination

Every checkup starts with an exam. Your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, tongue, inner cheeks, jaw, and bite.

Some common things dentists look for include:

Cavities
Signs of gum disease
Enamel erosion
Changes in tooth alignment or spacing
Signs of grinding or clenching
Pockets or inflammation
Issues with your jaw function

Professional Teeth Cleaning

Once your oral health has been evaluated, the cleaning begins. Here’s what’s typically involved:

Scaling: Using specialized tools, your dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. This helps prevent gum inflammation and keeps bacteria in check.
Polishing: After scaling, the dentist will use a slightly gritty paste to polish your teeth. This helps smooth the tooth surface and reduce plaque build up.
Flossing: Once the polishing is done, the provider will floss between each of your teeth.

X-rays

Depending on your dental history and findings during the examination, your provider may recommend X-rays once a year or at intervals tailored to your needs.

X-rays can detect:

Cavities between teeth
Bone loss in your jaw
Decay beneath existing fillings
Impacted teeth
Areas of infection
Cysts or tumors

People sometimes hesitate about dental X-rays because of exposure to radiation, but dental imaging uses a low dose. Dentists will discuss the benefits and only recommend them when they serve a clear purpose for your care.

Personalized Oral Health Advice

After the exam, your dentist will walk through their findings. You’ll receive guidance that fits your habits and lifestyle. Whether it’s adjusting your brushing technique or trying a different type of toothpaste, your dentist can help you fine-tune your routine.

Prevention of More Serious Oral Health Issues

The importance of regular dental visits goes beyond simple cleaning and aids in the prevention of a number of serious oral health problems that can cause lasting effects. These conditions that a regular cleaning twice a year can prevent include:

Cavities and tooth decay: Your dentist can spot signs of enamel erosion and tiny cavities before they reach the nerve. Catching decay early can mean a simple filling instead of a root canal or crown.
Gum infection and disease: Serious gum infections such as gingivitis and periodontitis can be detrimental to your oral health, and can cause tooth decay or loss, gum decay, and other health problems such as respiratory issues.
Oral cancer: Especially for those who smoke tobacco or drink excessive amounts of alcohol, oral cancer can be treated much more easily if caught in the early stages, and it’s always important to have your dentist check for symptoms.

Other Benefits of Regular Dental Visits

Teeth cleaning is necessary every six months. Apart from preventing common oral issues, here are other reasons to visit a dentist:

Alleviates anxiety: It’s not uncommon to feel nervous about going to the dentist. However, regular visits can make the process easier and less stressful. When you go consistently, you build familiarity with the environment and the team. You start to know what to expect, which reduces the fear of the unknown.
Builds dentist-patient relationship: Seeing your dentist regularly helps cultivate a relationship. They get to know your oral health history, spot changes faster, and provide more personalized advice. Plus, when you feel comfortable with your provider, you’re more likely to ask questions and take a proactive role in your dental health.
Maintains a bright smile: Routine cleanings polish away surface stains from food and beverages. They help your smile stay bright and healthy-looking, which helps you take pride in your appearance.
Saves costs: Preventive care costs far less than advanced procedures needed to treat worsened issues. For example, catching a small cavity early may mean a quick, affordable filling. However, if it goes unnoticed, that same cavity could require a crown or root canal. Some dentists offer membership plans to help make routine care more affordable.
Boosts confidence: From smiling in photos to speaking up in a meeting, knowing your teeth and gums are healthy gives you confidence. That six-month checkup might not seem like a big deal, but it helps you maintain a healthy baseline that supports your mental and emotional well-being, too.

Visit Inspire Dental Wellness to Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

At Inspire Dental Wellness, we specialize in family cosmetic dentistry and oral health for all members of your family, regardless of whether you need teeth whitening, veneers, or a simple teeth cleaning or cavity filling. We use the latest dental technology to make sure our patients always feel comfortable with their dental experience and provide the proper solutions for all things oral health.

Looking for a dentist in Orland Park? We take the time and effort to give our patients the tools they need for a healthy smile, and all the preventive measures needed to avoid serious conditions.

For more information regarding our services or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.