Yes, why does the dentist ask all those questions about your medical history? You're at the dentist's right? Which means-not at the doctor's. So why should the dentist be so curious about allergies, heart troubles, broken bones, and so forth and so on? He's just a dentist-right?
    WRONG. "Just" a dentist doesn't fit at all. Consider, for a moment, the importance of your mouth. Consider the importance of your gums, teeth, and jaw. Not only do they make up a good deal of your face, giving it its particular structure and in a sense making you you, but they contribute significantly to the greatest pleasures available to mankind. Eating, drinking, laughing, kissing, conversation-you owe all of these lovely things to your mouth. Have you ever had a toothache? Of course you have; either that or you're very, very, very lucky, because there's no pain quite like tooth pain, no pain quite so invasive, annoying, and ever-present. With tooth pain you get terrible headaches, eating's no fun, nothing's fun. And what about gum disease? Even gums that are unhealthy in a minor way can drive a person up the wall. Swollen gums mean itchy gums, constantly itchy gums, once again there's a discomfort in your face of all places that you can't get rid of.
    And so on and so forth. It doesn't take much reflection to realize that your mouth is just like your heart, liver, arms, legs, etc.-that is, something of major importance to your happiness that you take for granted until it starts acting up. But when it starts acting up, boy, then you start acting up, and you can't get any rest until-that's right-you go to that blessed figure, the dentist. That's why the dentist asks you so many questions about your medical history. The dentists asks you questions about your medical history because he or she needs to know about any troubles you've had with the rest of your body, as there's a chance at least that those troubles could be further troubled by the trauma of getting tooth work done.
    And getting tooth work done is traumatic. So long as you've got a cavity to be filled, violence is going to be done to your face. Think about it. All those needles shoved half an inch into your gums, over and over and over if needed, followed by drills and more drills picking their way nimbly around a live nerve-you bleed, you spit, and afterwards it takes hours to recover-if it doesn't feel like a small deal, that's because it isn't, it's a big deal, and anytime any part of your body has a big deal, surgically speaking, to deal with, you can bet that little sirens and bells are going off all over the place, because if trauma affects one part of the body it's sure to affect another.
    For example, let's say you've had heart troubles in the past. Your dentist is asking you about your medical history. He or she says, "Here, fill out this form, it's about your medical history." And you start filling out your medical history and you're thinking what does my heart have to do with anything. Why should this medical history be asking about my heart. I'm here because I have a cavity, and now the dentist is asking me all sorts of questions about my medical history. So what if I've had heart troubles! We're talking about a cavity here for Pete's sake!
    Would you believe me if I told you that people have died from having a cavity filled? It's true, they have. To stick with the example above, your heart trouble means that you're going to have be on antibiotics while your tooth heals. Otherwise, there's a chance-a quite good chance-that the process of having even minor mouth surgery could infect your already weakened heart and then you've got a real problem on your hands.
    So don't grudge the dentist any details about your medical history. Your dentist asks for your medical history with your safety and comfort in mind. You can give your medical history to your dentist with confidence, knowing that your dentist is a doctor too, and like any good doctor wants to know his or her patient well before the violence (healing) begins.

Even the best flossing and brushing techniques still can leave some of the tougher plaque behind. Therefore, it is very important to get the semi-annual cleanings from your dentist to make sure your teeth are clean.

The ADA or American Dental Association recommends getting a semi-annual cleaning regularly. This may be increased to a more quarterly cleaning depending on the condition and care of the teeth.

Regular flossing and brushing at home is important, but having the completed cleaning from you dentist office every six months has its benefits.

1.    If decay becomes present, your dentist is more likely to catch it at an early stage and then will be able to correct the problem quickly and painlessly in most cases.
2.    Your smile will be whiter and brighter. Also, if you have cosmetic whitening done, it is a good way to do upkeep on your white teeth so not to lose the glamorous look of clean teeth.
3.    Your gums are healthier because there is not as much build up from the tartar on your teeth and gums.
4.    The bacteria in your mouth do not have as much of a chance to create long lasting decay.
5.    Your dentist can watch your overall oral health process and if he or she sees a problem early on, they can help you to resolve the pattern before it becomes a severe issue. If fillings are lose or if crowns are coming off, the dentist will know.

What to expect at a semi-annual cleaning?

These visits are usually short, around thirty minutes.
The work completed for the cleaning is usually 100% covered by most dental insurances
An oral exam of the teeth, gums and tongue will be completed.
The dentist will evaluate the need for further treatments.
A complete cleaning of each of the teeth, and your gums will occur.
A complete flossing will also occur.
If there are any hard areas that need to be scraped to remove set in plaque or tartar the dentist will usually complete this.
A rinse will likely be given.
If there is a plan for any sealants or repairs that need to be completed, the appointment will be made for a follow up.

There is a little pain involved with a good cleaning. This usually has nothing to do with the dentist or hygenist that is completing the cleaning. The process is one that tends to put some strain on your mouth, teeth and gums.

If there are hard deposits of tartar on your teeth, it is harder to remove these. However for the protection of your tooth, it is required that the plaque and tartar be removed.

A local anesthetic can be used to resolve some of the pain from the cleaning. However in most cases it is just uncomfortable, not unbearable.

If you have anxiety about cleanings, remember there are sedation options to help you maintain the semi-annual cleaning process. Do not let it go due to fear; there are so many options to work around the pain and fear. There is no reason to let your teeth go.

Getting your teeth cleaned every six months is important and easy. Like I said it is usually free with your dental insurance, so there really is no reason not to take care of your mouth. They are your teeth, you need them for your lifetime, give them the fighting chance to chew for you.

The ADA recommends having your teeth professionally cleaned semi-annually. There are several reasons this is recommended.

With the amount of tartar that builds up over time on our teeth, even good oral hygiene steps does not always removed all the bacteria, that causes tartar, and then causes the decay and cavities.

Depending on the teeth, the oral hygiene process used, the diet and the overall areas of the teeth like smoking, will dictate if there is a more frequent need for a professional dental cleaning.

At a cleaning your dentist will look for warning signs of dental issues that can be solved easily when they are caught early. There is also a detailed removal of the plaque that has attached itself to your teeth, therefore not giving it as much of a chance to cause decay that is going to be damaging your teeth more greatly.

Here is what you can expect at a dental cleaning.

1.    A full examination of your teeth, gums and tongue
2.    A cleaning of all the areas in your mouth
3.    X-rays may be taken
4.    An oral hygiene plan may be discussed
5.    Depending on the needs of the mouth, a follow up appointment will be planned.
6.    Your dental insurance will likely pay for the visit for the cleaning. However if there is future work that needs to be completed, you can discuss the cost with your dentist.
7.    If your dentist sees a need to work on the steps you take for brushing and flossing this could also be discussed.
8.    Your teeth will also be cleaner and a plan for whitening may occur.
9.    The visit should take roughly thirty minutes
10.    There is some pain, however you can request a local anesthetic if you are concerned about the pain.

Getting your teeth clean is an important step to keeping a great smile. The total process of flossing correctly, brushing thoroughly and eating a healthy diet will help the cleaning process be easier and almost painless.

There are so many options available to maintain a dental cleaning, check up, and follow up repair within reasonable costs, time, and with as little pain as possible, that it is important not to forget or avoid getting it done.

However, there is some pain with a cleaning. Depending on the amount of plaque that has been built up between cleaning visits, will depend on how long the visit will be and how hard of a cleaning job it will be.

Your dentist will do all they can to make you comfortable. If the situation is causing too much anxiety, you can request a pain reliever or sedation before the process is completed.

With the steps you take for good oral hygiene, eating a healthy diet will also help the cleaning process be easier. If you eat foods high in fiber, low in sugar and that have plenty of vitamins and minerals, then you will experience a cleaning at your dentist that is going to be fast, and almost painless.

A healthy diet, proper cleaning, brushing and flossing will resolve many of the issues that would occur to cause cavities and decay. If these cavities and decay are not removed in a timely manner, it will cause more serious issues like tooth, gum and bone decay and disease. This takes a great deal more effort, pain and money to resolve. Therefore going to your cleanings every six months will give you the edge to prevent future problems.