When it comes to your oral health, regular dental cleanings are a must. Regular teeth cleanings remove the plaque that accumulates on the teeth that can eventually lead to decay. Dental cleanings are the first line of defense against issues like cavities and gum disease. Despite the need for dental cleanings, many adults avoid the dentist altogether. In fact, only 64 percent of adults aged 18 to 64 have seen a dentist in the past year. Regular dental cleaning is a must for keeping adult teeth health. Here are three things that you should know about dental cleanings.

Frequency

When it comes to teeth cleanings, there is no one size fits all schedule. While the common recommendation for cleanings is twice a year, this doesn't work for everyone. If you are prone to cavities or have other dental issues, more frequent cleanings may be required. However, if you are less prone to cavities and have an overall healthy mouth, you may only need a cleaning on an annual basis. If you feel that you are not having your teeth cleaned often enough or that you are having them cleaned too often, you should discuss the frequency of cleanings with your dentist. 

Cost

The cost of a dental cleaning can vary from dentist to dentist and depending on whether or not you have dental insurance. A dental cleaning can cost anywhere from $75 to $200. Dental x-rays can add an additional $100 to $300 to your cost if they are needed. The good news is that dental insurance typically cover most if not all of the cost of a dental cleaning. However, it's important to check to see how many cleanings your insurance will cover in a given year. Most will only cover one to two cleanings. 

Deep Cleaning

While the standard dental cleaning is great for removing plaque and surface stains, in some cases a deeper cleaning is needed. If you have gum disease, a deep cleaning often referred to as scaling and root planing can help stop the progression in the early stages. Scaling and root planing removes plaque and prevents it from coming back. The average cost of scaling and root planing is between $140 and $300 per quadrant. While it is more expensive than a traditional dental cleaning, it can help stop gum disease in its tracks.

When it comes to dental cleanings, there are a few things that you should be aware of. Most people have cleanings twice a year, however, the frequency may vary from person to person. Costs can also vary, however, without insurance a dental cleanings tends to cost between $75 and $200. If you have gum disease, a deep cleaning referred to as scaling and root planing may be needed.