Most people know that they need to visit the dentist’s office every once in a while. However, some are unaware of how often they should seek professional teeth cleaning. Contrary to popular belief, based on clinical research and microbiological evidence of the periodontal disease process, Dr. Amin Samadian advises patients to come every three months for their dental hygiene appointment. The plaque maturation cycle plays a role in why patients need to get professional teeth cleaning every three months.
The Plaque Maturation Cycle
The six steps in the plaque maturation cycle include:
- Stage 1: Formation of An Acellular Layer: This layer consists of salivary glycoproteins, phosphoproteins, and lipids. It’s free of bacteria and develops quickly on enamel.
- Stage 2: Initial Attachment: Early teeth colonizers that float freely attach to the pellicle, which is the protein film that forms on the surface of the enamel. If bacteria isn’t removed, it may anchor itself with adhesive structures.
- Stage 3: Irreversible Attachment: Organisms that could not attach properly adhere to the first layer of colonizers with irreversible attachments through particular adhesion-receptor interactions. The bacteria may replicate and develop microcolonies.
- Stage 4: Early Maturation: Early colonizers make their debut, leading to more dental plaque complexity due to allogenic factors. In addition, cell division and new bacteria allow the population of bacteria to increase exponentially.
- Stage 5: Late Maturation: Microbial diversity continues to increase, while cell division rates decrease. The heterogeneous nature of plaque becomes obvious. During this stage, a thick, three-dimensional layer of dental plaque biofilm develops.
- Stage 6: Dispersion: Enzymes that degrade the biofilm allow some bacteria to detach themselves from the biofilm. When this happens, they’ll spread and colonize new surfaces in the oral cavity.
Why Professional Teeth Cleaning (Periodontal Therapy) Is Important
Even if you brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily, you will not be able to clean all of the plaque in your mouth. That is where a professional teeth cleaning comes in. A professional teeth cleaning removes all of the plaque (the soft, sticky film that builds up on your teeth) and calculus (hardened plaque on your teeth).
So, why is it essential to get rid of all the plaque in your mouth? When there are less plaque and calculus present in your mouth the chances of developing cavities and gum disease significantly decrease. Remember that it’s smarter to prevent oral health problems rather than treat them when they arise. Regular teeth cleanings every 3 months from a knowledgeable professional, like Dr. Amin Samadian, is the best way to keep your dental health in check. In addition to the teeth cleaning, you’ll also be aware of problems early on and won’t have to worry about any extensive dental treatments in the future.
When you receive professional periodontal therapy the maturation cycle of the periodontal plaque will be disrupted and the bacteria won’t evolve into periodontal pathogenic bacteria for another 3 months since they have to restart their maturation cycle all over again. So by coming to your dental appointments every 3 months, you get a chance to always prevent your dental plaque to mature. Periodontal disease is a very slowly progressing disease and it’s very easy to neglect it. Also considering the fact that 95% of the periodontal disease is undiagnosed, even for patients who go to a dentist regularly, they might not know that they have it. Therefore Dr. Samadian suggests that every patient visits their dentist once every 3 months.
How Often Should You Receive Teeth Cleanings (Periodontal Therapy)
In most cases, dental insurance plans cover professional teeth cleanings every 6 months. The reality is that most patients require teeth cleanings every three months. If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes, for example, more frequent cleanings can lower your risk for gum disease. Never let your insurance dictate what treatment you need. Always follow science.
If you’re on blood thinners or taking other medications such as drugs for osteoporosis, you may also benefit from cleanings every 3 months. In addition, if you have dry mouth, snack on sweets often, avoid flossing, have an appliance such as braces or retainer, or need new cavities filled every time you visit the dentist, you’ll likely need cleanings every 3 months as well. In addition to regular cleanings, you should brush your teeth when you wake up and before you go to sleep every evening. Dr. Amin Samadian also suggests avoiding sugary drinks and foods.
Take The Next Step
If you have a question about why you need to clean your teeth every 3 months, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Amin Samadian in East Bay, Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, Piedmont, Danville, San Ramon, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Oakland, Berkeley, and Brentwood, CA today. You can count on him to help you make an informed decision. Call us or fill out our convenient online contact form.
