“Once a year” is the answer most people have heard, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. Here’s a more useful way to think about it.
If your teeth and gums are generally healthy, a professional cleaning every 6–12 months is usually enough to stay ahead of stains, plaque buildup, and early gum issues before they become anything serious.
If you have braces or aligners, cleanings every 3–4 months make a real difference — brackets and wires create extra places for plaque to hide that a normal toothbrush can’t always reach.
If you notice bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, or visible tartar, don’t wait for your scheduled cleaning. These are early signs of gum disease, and catching it early is far easier (and cheaper) than treating it later.
If you smoke, or have diabetes, more frequent cleanings — every 3–6 months — are generally recommended, since both significantly increase the risk of gum disease.
We offer a few tiers of cleaning depending on what your teeth actually need, from a basic scaling and polish to a full deep clean with gum care — your dentist will recommend the right one after a quick look, not before.