Depending on the individual, most dentists will recommend professional cleanings and check-ups every six months, because as good of a job as you can do cleaning your own teeth at home, your dentist can do it better and he or she can find problems that may not be evident to you on the surface. Your dentist will look for signs of gum disease, check for lose teeth, and check your tongue and bite pressure. Using x-rays, he or she will check for damaged teeth or fillings and evaluate your teeth for decay, and recommend any further actions or procedures for improvement.

While only a dental professional can provide these services, there are actions you can take at home in between visits, to make sure that your next visit runs routinely and smoothly.