How often should you get your teeth scaled and polished by the dentist?!
Question: I have always gone to the dentist about every 6 months. Each time I go my dentist has done a scale and polish, and the one time I missed my appointment the dentist insisted on how important it is to get a scale and polish no matter how clean i keep my teeth. The dentist I have now says my teeth are so clean I dont need a scale and polish. I have been 4 times now and only got the scale and polish the first time. No matter how I ask him he wont do it. I still have to pay for the visit - the same charge with or without the polish.
Is it true, you dont need scale and polish every 6 months (like I had been brought up to believe), or is my dentist just cutting his costs by not doing it.
Ultimately my teeth will be getting dirtier and eventually I might need a filling (in which case he will get even more money). Is he neglecting his job? what should I do?
Answers: I have always gone to the dentist about every 6 months. Each time I go my dentist has done a scale and polish, and the one time I missed my appointment the dentist insisted on how important it is to get a scale and polish no matter how clean i keep my teeth. The dentist I have now says my teeth are so clean I dont need a scale and polish. I have been 4 times now and only got the scale and polish the first time. No matter how I ask him he wont do it. I still have to pay for the visit - the same charge with or without the polish.
Is it true, you dont need scale and polish every 6 months (like I had been brought up to believe), or is my dentist just cutting his costs by not doing it.
Ultimately my teeth will be getting dirtier and eventually I might need a filling (in which case he will get even more money). Is he neglecting his job? what should I do?
Hi I am a dental hygienist, and everyone needs aFULL cleaning every 6 months (scale/polish) There are some people who need it more often...I have EXTREMELY clean teeth...but I still get scal and polish every 6 months...there are deposits that can accumulate under the gums which can only be deteceted during a scaling...I would switch dentist or demand a cleaning every 6 months regardless of what the dentist is telling you!
At least every year........Tartar accumulates in the gum lime, you need that scaled, brushing alone will not get rid of that. Check ups and cleanings are important. He noted that my gums were receding, I have a large tooth structure..
Once every 6 months is the norm, but it's better to schedule a routine visit at least once every 3-4 months as tartar build up pretty fast. Most often it's the diet that responsible for teeth discoloration and tartar buildup. There's additional information at the blog below if you're looking for alternatives to your current regimen. It's something I've myself found useful since I had a root canal treatment some months ago.
When I had dental coverage I went every 9 months, and they did all that every time I went.
It is normal to get it done. Your toothbrush wont get everything.
Different dentists seem to give different advice on this matter. My two previous dentist told me I didn't need a scale and polish, as I cleaned my teeth very well. On my last visit I saw a new dentist who was insistent that I should have one every six months - although this was the first one I'd ever had (at 26!).
What it boils down to is whether you trust this dentists judgement - personally I would think that they would tell you if it needed doing.