“How often do I need to see the dentist?” is one of the questions we hear most. The short answer is that there is no single frequency for everyone: it depends on the state of your mouth and your risk factors. What is the same for everyone is the reason to go even when nothing hurts: a regular check-up finds in good time what is not causing any discomfort yet. At Nümia we explain how that frequency is decided and what a dental cleaning includes at the office.
How often, depending on your case
Many people are advised to have a check-up every six months, and it is a useful starting point. But there are cases in which more frequent visits make sense:
- If you have inflamed gums or have had periodontal disease.
- If you wear braces or have implants.
- If you have diabetes, are pregnant or smoke.
- If you often get cavities.
There are also people with a very stable mouth who can space their visits out a little more. What matters is that the frequency is set by an assessment of your case, not by a fixed rule.
What we check at your appointment
A check-up is much more than looking for cavities. In the dental office we check:
- Each tooth, looking for cavities, cracks or wear.
- The gums, to detect inflammation or loss of support.
- Your bite and the way your teeth come together.
- The condition of your restorations, such as fillings, crowns or bridges.
- The tissues of the mouth: tongue, cheeks and palate.
If it is needed, we will ask you for X-rays to see what cannot be seen with the naked eye, such as cavities between teeth or the condition of the bone. We do not ask for them as a routine: only when they give useful information for your case.
What a dental cleaning includes
A professional dental cleaning removes what the brush and floss cannot reach. It consists of:
- Removing plaque and tartar from the teeth, both above and a little below the gum line.
- Polishing the surfaces so that plaque builds up less.
- Checking your gums at the end and giving you instructions for home.
Usually the cleaning is done in a single appointment in the chair. If there is a lot of tartar built up or the gums are very inflamed, we can spread it over more than one visit so it is more comfortable.
When the gums have deeper pockets, an ordinary cleaning is not enough, and a deep cleaning by areas may be needed, which is part of a periodontal treatment.
A common clarification: the cleaning leaves your teeth smoother and removes surface stains, but it does not whiten them. If you want a lighter shade, whitening is a different treatment, assessed separately.
What you may feel
If your gums were inflamed, it is normal to notice some bleeding or sensitivity during the cleaning and for a day or two afterwards. If your teeth are sensitive, we can use local anesthesia in the areas that need it. You can ask for a pause whenever you like: in the chair, we go at your pace.
Between visits
What you do at home counts as much as the appointment:
- Brush at least twice a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between your teeth every day with floss or interdental brushes.
- Moderate sugars and acidic drinks between meals.
- Drink water throughout the day.
With these habits, each check-up tends to be shorter and simpler.
When to see us
We recommend booking a check-up if:
- It has been more than a year since your last dental visit.
- You notice bleeding gums or bad breath that does not go away.
- You have new sensitivity, pain or a broken restoration.
At Nümia we do the check-up and the cleaning as part of General dentistry, and if your gums need it, we support you through Periodontics.
