If your dentist doesn’t send reminders in the mail or via email, how are you supposed to know when it’s time for a dental cleaning? Typically, these types of appointments should be set up twice a year. However, if you are experiencing problems with your teeth or gums, it’s crucial to schedule a checkup right away to prevent any issues from worsening. When in doubt, here are a few indications you need a visit.

When Should You Schedule a Dental Cleaning? 

1. White Deposits Near the Gums

When you don’t remove plaque from your teeth and gums through brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar. The white substance often appears near the gum line and is a precursor to gum disease. Unfortunately, it cannot be removed with a standard toothbrush and requires a professional dental cleaning.

2. Pain or Sensitivity

Pain or sensitivity, even if it comes and goes, is your mouth’s way of telling you something is wrong. You may have a cavity, gum disease, or an infection. Delaying treatment will only lead to greater discomfort and more expensive procedures like root canals, crowns, or even an extraction, later.

3. Bleeding Gums

If your gums bleed when brushing and flossing, you may have gum disease. Early treatment is crucial because as the disease progresses, it becomes more difficult to manage. Further, the bacteria and inflammation associated with the condition may also contribute to other, more serious problems like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

4. Timing

The standard recommendation for a dental cleaning is every six months, even if you aren’t experiencing any of the above symptoms. Regular visits and exams ensure dentists detect and treat problems in their earliest stages using the most conservative treatments. Patients with gum disease or other oral health complications may need to come in more than twice a year to better manage their conditions.

Even if you brush and floss regularly, it’s not possible to reach every area of your mouth. Professional checkups are essential to remove any plaque that remains and keep your teeth and gums healthy. At Valley Family Dentistry, we perform thorough dental cleanings and exams to catch and treat problems as early as possible, so you can avoid more extensive procedures like root canals. Servicing Fulton County, Hamilton County, Montgomery County, and Saratoga County we provide comprehensive general and family dentistry, including tooth fillings, dental cleanings, tooth restorations, and crowns. To learn more about the preventive, general, and cosmetic dentistry services we perform at our Mayfield, NY, office, please visit our website. To schedule an appointment, call us at (518) 661-6405.