How often do you get your teeth cleaned?

Mine is every six months and is covered by insurance with no out of pocket. Not sure what the insurance company pays.

Every four months. Runs somewhere around $100.00. They like to do it every three months around here. I suspect the fourth time is more for their revenue than my need.

Same here, every six months and no out of pocket expense.

Three times a year; it costs $133/visit and my share is 26.60.

Does everyone go through their dentist's office? There's been talk about licensing hygienists to operate their own offices independently in the state but I don't think it's been done yet.

We have to in Alberta, but there are dental hygienists clinics in BC. That's one of the reasons I go there, plus AB has exorbitant rates for hygienists, as you can see from my initial post. I got a quote from a dental office near me for $744 for teeth cleaning - they said 12 X-rays were required, as were a dental visit. I have recent X-rays (from 2 months earlier) but they didn't care - for some reason mine were sub-standard.

That's another scam - full-mouth X-rays are not required for cleaning unless you have some pain. I was told this by my dentist and my BC hygienist. She only took four. Every X-ray adds $$.

That's nuts! had no idea it was so expensive in Alberta.

I've been going every three months for 33 years. All of it was covered until 2+ years ago when I retired. Now I pay for insurance, and they pay the majority. Last cleaning just a few weeks ago cost $214.80, of which I paid $35.80.

No wonder you go to BC!

They do have strictly hygienists in practice here now, but I like my dentist's office.

I do it when the dentist advice to do it: once a year.
Costs $80, I get 50 back from my mandatory health insurance.

yeah, it's nuts here. And I know when I go back to the clinic in Victoria, it'll cost less - it just took that much time because it had been 4 years.

It had been longer when I had them done in Albania - the whole mouth was about $50... very clean and sanitary clinic.

I clean mine and soak them all night, put them in my mouth before breakfast.

Howdy, Edgar. Did you get a face lift? I got mine covered in dirt.

There is a difference between deep cleaning (ouch) and the insurance minimum.

I'm talking about a deep cleaning (gums) - what other kind of cleaning is there? They're not going to brush your teeth for you. And what is the insurance minimum?

Naw, I got a stand in.

Twice a day!
In the morning and in the evening
I try to use a mouthwash after meals

Does your insurance cover a twice a day cleaning?

Twice a year - as is recommended by my dentist and what is covered by insurance - all preventive is covered so no cost to me. But from what I read a dental cleaning without insurance can run between $75-$200 depending where you go and how much cleaning you need.

Deep cleaning from what I understand is for those that either had or have periodontal disease and then cleaning is usually done more often.

Typical cleaning is basically removing any plaque that has built up and then polishing. I've never had the need for any deeper type cleaning. But I think if you have always taken care of your teeth (meaning visiting the dentist as suggested and normal dental care at home) you usually do not run into having to do this deeper type cleaning.

Funny from what I read the ADA recommends at least once a year whereas my dentist and my experience from since I was little always recommended twice a year.

Well, that's part of the twice-yearly dental check-up here which is paid by every of our mandatory health insurance companies. (I even get 25 Euros back from mine when I do it.)

My above response was referring to "deep cleaning".

well if you speak of deep cleaning then never. It is not necessary unless you have issues like gum disease. If you have healthy gums there is no deep cleaning needed.

Yeah our twice a year cleaning includes dental visit meaning looking at teeth and making sure all is good. Considered preventative and is covered in full - I pay zilch.

For the deep cleaning - if it was determined it was needed - is probably covered in part but not all - I think insurance pays 80% of most needed dental care.

Our family has been fortunate as in it has been a while since we had anything beyond preventative care.

Now health insurance - that is a different story....my kids cost me quite a bit.

I think once a year deep-cleaning is adequate. It's the plaque and tartar plus below the gum line. That's pretty standard across the country. It's preventative.