ZA
A 26-year-old female asked:
how often should i visit the dentist for cleaning my teeth?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

Dr. Robert Kwok answered
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Every 6 months: Normal, healthy people should visit their dentists for preventive dental care twice a year. X-rays are usually done every 1-2 years. At home, daily brushing and flossing are required. Eat a healthy, balanced diet, and never use tobacco.
392 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Arnold Malerman answered
Orthodontics 53 years experience
Usually 2x/year: For a person with optimum oral health, twice a year. But you have to do your part, you have to brush 2x/day for 2 full minutes by the clock, and floss or WaterPik 1x/day to reach the places a toothbrush can't get to, between teeth. If your oral health is compromised, more frequent professional cleanings may be recommended.
392 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Similar questions
A 45-year-old member asked:
I have no money to go to the dentist for cleaning. Will itaffect my teeth color?
4 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

Dr. Jared Plitt answered
Dentistry 20 years experience
See detailed answer.: Not cleaning your teeth can certainly affect the color. It is important not to neglect your oral health. Financially, dentistry is one are where a little bit of prevention goes a really long way. If it's difficult to pay for a cleaning, what chance will you have of paying for treatment if a tooth breaks or you develop gum disease? Preventative cleanings can be a great investment.
5704 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
VA
A 29-year-old male asked:
Is it safe to use vinegar for cleaning teeth?
4 doctor answers • 12 doctors weighed in

Dr. Mark Bornfeld answered
Dentistry 45 years experience
Absolutely not: Teeth will demineralize when exposed to an acid environment, with a ph below about 5.5. Most vinegars don't approach a ph of 5, and some have ph's of as low as 2.4, which would cause significant loss of tooth structure. Vinegar is for salad and for pickling; it is not for teeth.
5620 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
What do dentists exactly do to your teeth when you go for a cleaning?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Steven Alper answered
Dentistry 21 years experience
We clean them.: When you go to the dentist for a cleaning, we clean your teeth.
Generally we start with an ultrasonic machine that knocks the bigger pieces of tartar (calcified colonies of bacteria!). The next step is to use instruments to remove whatever tartar remains (this is the “scraping”) and lastly we polish your teeth with some mild abrasive powder.
5500 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Can cleaning my teeth make them more vulnerable to acids?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Sandra Eleczko answered
Dentistry 36 years experience
Depends: All teeth are vulnerable to acids. You should not brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking things that are acidic and your teeth are at their weakest. Wait until the ph of your salvia returns to a normal state, about 20-30 minutes.
5052 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
How long does an appointment from a dentist take for just a cleaning of teeth?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Sandra Eleczko answered
Dentistry 36 years experience
At least an hour: It depends on the dental office and the health of your mouth. In my office we schedule a new patient examination for the exam, diagnosis and treatment plan and then the dental cleaning once we know the health of the mouth and what is needed. We schedule an hour for a routine adult dental hygiene visit. Many patients need more than this.
5040 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Feb 24, 2018
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