Is a cleaning every six months really necessary? Learn how often you should get a dental cleaning, who needs them more often, and what to do if it’s been years.
The honest answer is that six months is a useful starting point. Some people do well with less frequent visits, and many people need cleanings more often than they realize. Here is how to think about the right schedule for you, and what to do if it has been a long time since your last visit.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and 5-star review! We're so glad to hear you had a positive experience with our team. We appreciate your support!
My autistic adult son has been a patient for several years and each year I find the staff to be professional and courteous. My son used to be afraid of going to the dentist but he is at ease each time he is seen. From the dentist to each staff member, everyone and everything is excellent! Thank you for servicing my special needs son!
I have been a patient at the Dental Anesthesia Center for about 20 years! Dr. Hoffman and his team are the premier dental group in the St. Louis area. I believe they are the only location for Dental Anesthesia if you need that service. They are experts in the dental field and I cannot fathom ever going anywhere else. Great team, kind, caring, patient, and looking out for you and your dental needs!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and continued trust over the years! We’re truly grateful for your support and are honored to have such a caring team dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care.
I have been going here for 30 years and the extra care they take is outstanding.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and longtime support! We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and are grateful for the trust placed in our team over the years.
It was thorough professional and informative. I was satisfied with consultation and look forward to having my dental needs addressed
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star review! We appreciate your kind words and are grateful you took the time to share your feedback. Thank you for your support!
Everything went great today for her surgery but I do have some feedback about other things. My daughter was scheduled to be put to sleep to undergo a root canal. They ended up needing more anthesia which I was willing to pay for. Surgery was supposed to be an hour (I was told this before they started), and it ended up being 2 hours because of some minor complications. Noone came to the lobby to inform us. When it was over, I asked to see her. They said I had to pay first. I just paid almost 5k and they were more worried about an additional $300 before allowing me to see my daughter? This didn't sit right. I didn't say anything. I paid the bill and went to see my daughter. Dr. Hoffman is the nicest man I have ever met! He was outstanding.
Also, in the weeks before her surgery, the office appeared to not communicate. I would receive a call saying one thing then someone else would say another. They were never on the same page.
Last week, they needed to speak with me to confirm a few things. They called me at 8:16am then again at 1:06pm. Leaving me a voicemail that if they do not hear from me they were going to cancel her surgery. Wow! I work. I work 8am-5pm. I do not have access to my phone during those hours. They did leave a voicemail and I would have called the next day but they did not give me a chance before sending me an email threatening to cancel.
Also, they had called me several weeks before to inform me I had no insurance. I called my insurance company and they said I did. Not sure what happened but it resulted in unnecessary phone calls during my only free 20 minutes at work.
If your appointment is at 10am, do not plan on seeing anyone for awhile. All our appointments ran an hour behind.
I think Dr. Hoffman is wonderful but the office staff needs some help.
Not friendly at all. Noone even smiled!
The nurses in the room with my daughter were great too.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback and kind words about Dr. Hoffmann and our clinical team. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Your feedback is valuable to us as we continually strive to provide the best possible care and experience for every family.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star Google review! We truly appreciate your support and are grateful you chose The Dental Anesthesia Center!
Everyone took time to address our daughter directly. They explained each step to her, even though she is nonverbal and most likely would not respond. No one acted afraid of her. This means a lot to us. Thank you for seeing her.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 4-star review! We believe everyone deserves to feel seen, respected, and valued, and we’re grateful your experience reflected that. ❤️
I went to nervous and 3 to 4 hours later, I essentially woke up in the car on my way home without realizing anything had happened. If you have trauma with previous dental issues, this is the place. I have a had severe dental trauma my entire life. Until now, they are all fantastic.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your experience. We’re grateful our team could help provide a comfortable experience and appreciate your trust in us.
Our experience was wonderful. Our Down’s Syndrome son is very apprehensive about his appointments, but Dr. Thoms and all of his staff made our son more compliant. Each member seems vested in their job and are so kind and caring. Thank you for a positive experience.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad your family had a positive experience. Our team takes great pride in providing compassionate, individualized care, and your feedback means so much to us!
I had a dental problem that needed attention quickly. They got me in the next day and we identified the problem and came up with a great solution. I have been going there for over 10 years and they always come through.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your continued trust in our team over the years! We’re always happy to help and truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation!
Always a great experience. Carrie does a wonderful job keeping my smile healthy and bright. Dr. Thoms is always very nice and professional. They make going to the dentist much less stressful!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the great feedback! We're so glad Carrie and Dr. Thoms have made your visits comfortable and enjoyable.
I’ve had wonderful experiences at this dental office. The team is professional, the care is top-notch, and appointments run smoothly. I’ve never had to wait long in the waiting room. I highly recommend them!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! We’re so glad to hear you’ve had such positive experiences with our team. We truly appreciate your support!
I love coming to the Dental CENTER , all the ladies are so nice and they keep you up to date. Dr. Belah is great and Carrie are so good. They do a great job.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you’ve had such a positive experience with our team. We’ll be sure to share your appreciation with Dr. Behl, Carrie, and the rest of the team!
Dr. Hoffman is a friendly individual and readily answers can't questions you may have. His office staff are all friendly. One in particular,Meaghan, has learned to put up with the grumpy old guy from Illinois. I would recommend you give these people a try for your special needs relative.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words and recommendation! We’re so glad to hear you’ve felt welcomed and well cared for by Dr. Hoffman and our team. And we’ll be sure to let Meaghan know she’s doing a great job putting up with our “grumpy old guy from Illinois!”
The Best Dental Office In St Louis! Thanks for keeping my pearly whites shining! … back again and they always do a great job and make me feel comfortable! They have an exceptional staff who are friendly and also very good at their jobs!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you always feel comfortable and well cared for. Our team truly appreciates your kind words!
The practice is top notch. Could not ask for better care. Wish dental care was more affordable.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re grateful for your feedback and are proud to provide high-quality care in a supportive environment.
The best staff for dealing with my level 3 non verbal autistic son. Very understanding and supportive.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad our team could provide a supportive and understanding experience. Your feedback means so much to us!
Dr Thoms is the best. He and his team are very attentive and extremely dedicated to the dental care for our special needs son
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We truly appreciate your recognition of Dr. Thoms and our team. Providing compassionate, attentive care is at the heart of what we do!
Why Cleanings Matter in the First Place
Even with excellent brushing and flossing, a sticky film of bacteria called plaque constantly forms on your teeth. Any plaque you miss hardens into tartar (also called calculus) within days, and once it hardens, no toothbrush can remove it. Only professional instruments can.
Tartar buildup along and below the gumline irritates the gums, and that irritation is the beginning of gum disease. Early gum disease, called gingivitis, is usually reversible with professional cleaning and good home care. Left alone, it can progress to periodontitis, where the infection damages the bone supporting your teeth. That damage is not reversible, and it is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults.
A cleaning visit is also an exam visit. Your dentist checks for cavities, cracked teeth, signs of infection, oral cancer, and problems you cannot feel yet. Most dental problems are far easier to treat when they are found early, before they hurt.
Who May Need Cleanings More Often
Your dentist may recommend visits every three to four months if you have:
Gum disease, now or in the past. Once periodontitis has developed, more frequent maintenance cleanings help keep it from progressing.
Diabetes. Gum disease and blood sugar control affect each other in both directions, so gum health matters even more.
Dry mouth, whether from medications, medical conditions, or age. Saliva is your mouth’s natural defense, and less of it means faster decay.
Braces, extensive dental work, or physical difficulty brushing, including patients whose disabilities make home care challenging.
Some patients with excellent gum health, low decay risk, and consistent home care may be fine at a comfortable six-month rhythm, and occasionally a dentist may suggest a longer interval. The point is that the schedule should come from your exam, not from a calendar rule.
What If It Has Been Years?
Here is the part that matters most to many of the patients who find their way to our office: what happens if it has been three, five, or fifteen years since your last cleaning?
First, you will get no lecture from us. People stay away from the dentist for real reasons, including fear, past trauma, embarrassment, severe gag reflexes, disabilities that make visits difficult, and busy, complicated lives. Whatever the reason, the answer is the same: the best time to come back is now, and it is nearly always less bad than you fear.
After a long gap, you may need what is called a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), which removes hardened buildup from below the gumline. For patients with significant anxiety, sensitive teeth, strong gag reflexes, or extensive buildup, this can feel like a lot to face while wide awake. That is exactly why our practice exists. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, cleanings, deep cleanings, and any needed treatment can be completed under sedation or general anesthesia, often in a single visit. Years of postponed care do not have to mean years of appointments to catch up.
The Real Rule of Thumb
See your dentist regularly, at whatever interval your dentist recommends based on your gums, your health history, and your risk factors. For many people, that is every six months. For some it is more often. And if it has been years, the schedule that matters is simple: one appointment, booked.
Contact The Dental Anesthesia Center
Whether you are due for a routine cleaning or facing your first visit in a long time, we are here to make it comfortable. Call The Dental Anesthesia Center in St. Louis at (314) 862-7844 or request a consultation online. Tell us where you are starting from, and we will help you take the next step without judgment.
