How many times a year should I go to the Dentist?!
Question: I am a 36 yr old male with good teeth. I brush my teeth twice a day, floss once a day and use Listerine Mouth wash 3 times a day.
My dentist recommends every 3 months. Is this too much, or is it fine?
My insurance covers 2 cleanings a year and I have been paying for 2 cleanings, $96 per visit, $193 per year. Is it worth the $196 per year?
Answers: I am a 36 yr old male with good teeth. I brush my teeth twice a day, floss once a day and use Listerine Mouth wash 3 times a day.
My dentist recommends every 3 months. Is this too much, or is it fine?
My insurance covers 2 cleanings a year and I have been paying for 2 cleanings, $96 per visit, $193 per year. Is it worth the $196 per year?
There isn't a blanket answer to this question. The frequency of cleanings depends on the state of your gums. If you have periodontal pockets greater than 3mm then yes you would benefit from 3 month cleanings.
Food debris and bacteria lurk in the pockets produce toxins that enter the gum tissue causing infection, the body's immune system them kicks in and protects the bone that supports the teeth by shrinking it away from the infected gum tissue (periodontal disease in simple terms) it is only by regularly lowering the bacterial load that the gums have a chance to heal and we can prevent further bone loss. Hence the 3 month cleanings. After a cleaning the bacterial load is reduced and it take about 90 days for the bugs to breed and multiply to a level where the infection causes the immune response to kick in.
This is very simplistic but you can see that if you have pockets around any teeth that are over 3mm then you cannot clean these areas yourself with a toothbrush it takes the instruments of the dental hygienist to get in and remove the debris.
Yes, evidence shows that every three months is best, I hope insurance catches up some day soon!!
In the future-you will be glad you did it!!
I have never been told that it is necessary to see your dentist every 3 months. I think he's just trying to get more $$$ out of you. The twice a year your insurance covers is what I was always recommended by every dentist I've seen. I hope this helps.
No offence to your doctor, but I think he is trying to cash in. I think going every 6 months, or even every 9 months is the norm. Particularly since you do not have any teeth issues and do everything you are supposed to. There is no reason you should be financing his or her vacations.
Hm mm- I'm 58 and have never had to have cleanings more than twice a year - and usually once a year. Sometimes I'll get lazy about flossing and with age I've occasionally had a few areas of concern about my gums and that's caused need for a cleaning every 6 months to get the situation under control (that's happened twice). I form tartar and before I started using tartar control toothpaste I sometimes had to be cleaned twice a year. In the last year I've had a titanium dental implant and will need q6 month cleanings for whatever time period they deem appropriate. I guess I'm surprised by the q3 monthly cleanings.
Have your dentist discuss pockets and attachment loss with you. If you have pockets that are 4-5mm or more, then frequent cleaning is recommended (small investment to haveteeth when you're old)
HOWEVER, there are some unscrupulous dentists out there that tell everyone that that they need frequent recall. The current recomendations for very healthy mouths (3mm pockets or less with little to no build up, is every 9 months to a year... I haven't officially had mine cleaned for 2 years... I have no probings above 3mm and no bleeding when probed)
Ask questions!! Get answers. If you get bs or the run around, get a new dentist