The standard advice for how often a dental cleaning should be done is every six months, but this doesn’t tell the whole story. Some people may need a visit every three months, while others might be fine once a year.
Your oral health is unique, so your care plan should be too. We’ll break down how a hygienist decides on the right schedule for your specific needs.
The “Every Six Months” Rule: A Great Starting Point for Most
The “every six months” rule is a great guideline for most people with healthy smiles. Here’s a quick look at why this schedule works so well.
When You Might Need Cleanings More Often (Every 3-4 Months)
For some people, waiting six months is just too long. This isn’t a bad thing at all! It just means your smile needs a little extra care to stay healthy. Here are a few reasons why we might suggest you come in more often.
- If You Have Gum Disease: If you have sore or bleeding gums (gingivitis), more frequent cleanings help to manage the condition and restore gum health. It’s a very important step to keep your gums healthy.
- If You’re a Smoker: Using tobacco can cause tartar to build up much faster. Coming in more often helps us stay on top of it.
- Certain Health Conditions: Some health issues, like diabetes, can affect your oral health. Our goal is to provide excellent cavity prevention, and that means looking at your overall health.
- During Pregnancy: When you’re pregnant, hormonal changes can make your gums extra sensitive. More frequent cleanings can keep them comfortable and healthy.
Is It Ever Okay to Go Less Often?
You might also be wondering if you can go longer than six months. For a very small number of people who have an extremely low risk of cavities or gum disease, once a year might be okay.
However, this is very rare. This is a decision that should only be made after a dental professional has completed a thorough check-up of your mouth. For most of us, waiting a full year is too long. If you want to learn more about the caring professionals who make these decisions, you can read about our team.
How a Hygienist Determines Your Ideal Schedule
So, how do we figure out the perfect schedule for you? During your visit, your dental hygienist performs a careful assessment.
Here’s what we look for to create your personalized plan:
This helps us give you a personalized answer to “how often should you have a dental cleaning?” Understanding your needs is also helpful for planning, and you can learn more about how much a dental cleaning costs on our blog.
The Bottom Line: So, How Often to Get Dental Cleaning?
So, let’s get back to the main question: how often to get dental cleaning? The most important thing to remember is that there isn’t one answer for everyone. The right schedule is the one that’s designed just for you.
Think of your dental cleaning as a personal health plan, not a strict rule. The best way to find out your perfect schedule is to have a professional assessment. If you have any questions, please contact our friendly team.
(Written by: Hwan Hee Kim, RDH, BSc)
Hwan Hee Kim is a Registered Dental Hygienist and the founder of Aviator Dental Hygiene. With over a decade of clinical experience, she started her clinic to provide a calmer, more personalized approach to oral health. Hwan believes that every patient deserves a care plan tailored specifically to them, starting with understanding the “why” behind every recommendation.
