According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, Americans tend to visit the dentist less often as they age. The CDC reports that only 57% of Americans aged above 65 years visit the dentist annually, compared to 61% of adults under 65, and 79% of children aged 2 to 17 years. Taking good care of your teeth is a lifelong process, and a good at-home dental care routine is not enough to ensure optimal oral health. 

Every individual, regardless of your age, can benefit from dental examinations and professional teeth cleaning. Even if you feel like everything is alright, many dental and gum problems don’t cause any obvious symptoms, like pain or bleeding, until they’re quite advanced. Through routine dental exams, your dentist can detect and treat potential issues before they start to cause any symptoms. 

Professional Guidelines 

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends getting a cleaning and exam every six months, which is why most dental plans cover two exams and two cleanings per year. People at high risk, however, may need more frequent cleanings and exams. Risk factors include:

• Diabetes 
• Smoking 
• Pregnancy 
• Cavity-prone 
• Gum disease 
• Weak immune system 

It’s important to visit your dentist for professional cleanings and exams regardless of how much time has passed since your last dental appointment. After your teeth cleaning and examination, the dentist will give you guidelines to follow to maintain optimal oral health until your next dental appointment. 

These guidelines may involve:

• Maintaining or adjusting your dental routine 
• Changing your flossing or brushing technique 
• Changing bad oral habits 

Schedule Your Dentist Visit

In addition, if any problems were found during the exam, your dentist will recommend appropriate treatments and book your appointment at a later date to deliver the treatment. If no problem was found, then you simply need to keep up your good daily dental routine.

Schedule your dental cleaning appointment today to get your dental health back on track.