How Often do I Really Need to Visit the Dentist for a Teeth Cleaning?

How long has it been since you visited your dentist for a teeth cleaning? Was it several weeks ago? Several months ago? Several years ago? You may be surprised to learn of how many teeth cleanings are recommended each year by dentists. 

Nearly all dentists recommend a teeth cleaning of twice a year- or every six months- for the average person. However, if you’re a very good brusher, floss regularly, and have very little recent history of dental issues, you could extend this to a longer time- such as every nine months, or even a year. However, to be safe, stick to six months for the maximum clean. On the other side of the spectrum, if you know that you need some work on brushing, and that flossing every day hasn’t been part of routine, you may want to visit the dentist for a cleaning every three or four months. If you have dental insurance, check to see how often they cover teeth cleanings- many insurances cover some or all of the costs of cleanings twice a year. 

When you visit the dentist for a cleaning, you not only get an expertly cleaned, refreshed mouth, but you also have the opportunity for your mouth to be seen by someone who has an expertise in dentistry. Keep your mouth healthy, clean, and always remember to smile!

Top 5 Reasons for Dental Implants

You yearn for the days when your teeth felt normal. Those were times in which you didn’t have to worry much about your smile, but now you do. Dental implants are a good solution for those that want to have a more convenient solution for their teeth, and also regain confidence in their smile. Here are the top 5 reasons why people decide to get implants:

1- Natural appearance. Implants can help give you back a natural-looking smile. Dental prosthetics have advanced greatly over the last several decades, and now, it is very easy for the average person be unable to tell the difference between a tooth you were born with, and a prosthetic tooth or crown. A natural appearance can give you additional confidence and help you feel like yourself again. 

2- Comfort and Stability. Dental implants stay in place, so you do not have to worry about taking them on or off. Implants are put in place carefully by an expert restorative dentist. The combination of science and craftsmanship that goes into dental implants helps ensure a great personal fit. 

3- Improved speech and smile. Because of the stability and permanency of dental implants, your speech will be more natural and should flow easier as well. 

4- Improved breathing is also a positive effect of dental implants and should help you resume daily activities including exercise, with ease. 

5- Improved chewing. After dental implants, it will be much easier to chew foods, especially meals that are sticky or require much chewing. Imagine being able to enjoy your favorite foods without worrying if your current teeth can handle it. 

Before making any decisions, it is recommended to talk to a dentist that specializes in restorative dentistry, implants, or both. Together, you can make a decision that is best for your life and health.

Back to School

You have probably been checking off your to-do lists for getting your kids back to school… new clothes, haircut, school supplies, register in sports, yearly physical. It may seem like the list never ends, but you may be forgetting an important necessity — bi-annual tooth cleaning to prevent tooth decay and the need for fillings in permanent teeth. Now is the perfect time to make the appointment for your kids, but also to re-assess their current habits.

Brushing twice a day is recommended. And with new kid-friendly toothbrushes and toothpastes, it is easier to get your kids to brush daily. Another idea is to pack a travel sized brush and tube of toothpaste in your child’s backpack so that they are able to brush after meals as well.

It also is crucial that the children are eating and drinking correctly. Sugary drinks and candy during and after school are consistently lingering around enticing children to partake; which also means more trips to the dentist. One way to help deter this behavior is to pack your child a healthy lunch and provide fruits and veggies in between practices.

While Affleck Dental doesn’t specifically provide cleaning appointments, its affiliates do. The staff and doctor from Affleck Dental believe that with proper cleaning habits, and bi-annual cleanings, you and your children will maintain good dental health and minimize the chance of tooth decay.