Why would I need to have my teeth cleaned every three months, instead of every six months?

If there is bone loss, bleeding gums and too much tartar buildup, it is best to do more frequent cleanings to get rid of bacteria.

What should a complete dental exam include?

Examining the teeth and noting all existing restorations of the teeth on the patient’s dental chart. Then, checking the teeth for cavities and the gums for any plaque buildup or pocketing around the gums. Then soft tissue exam should be done of all the tissue surrounding the teeth, gums, tongue, throat and tonsils to see if there is any abnormality. This is called an oral cancer screening exam. The temporal mandible joint, also known as TMJ, should be examined to make sure there is not any clicking, popping, clenching or grinding.

I’m approaching my 70s. Is there additional dental care I should be doing?

If you see that the saliva is decreasing, make sure that you are also using mouthwash regularly to maintain the health of the mouth. Other than that, just regular cleanings and checkups are needed. More frequent cleanings may be needed than before, depending on how much plaque builds up on the teeth.