How Often Should You Have Your Teeth Cleaned by a UK Dentist?

You may think that you need to have a dental checkup every 6 months, but this isn't necessarily the case. Your dentist will be able to advise you on how often you should visit based on your oral health. It is recommended that you go to the hygienist for professional cleaning every 3 months. Hygienists are trained to spot any dental issues and can refer you to the dentist if necessary.

As a general rule, it is best to brush your teeth twice a day, including before you go to bed. This is because plaque can calcify overnight and become harder to remove with regular brushing. It will need to be removed by a dentist or hygienist. From a scientific standpoint, plaque bacteria take around 3 months to reach maturity and become pathogenic periodontal bacteria, which can cause gum disease.

If teeth are cleaned every 3 months, the bacteria can be eliminated before they reach this stage, helping to prevent gum disease and allowing existing gum disease to heal.