How To Make Your Next Dental Cleaning Easier

While people may be less enthusiastic about visiting the dentist, dental cleanings are a routine procedure everyone should receive twice yearly or every six months. Many patients put off cleanings to avoid the pain, discomfort, and anxiety they can bring. However, it does not have to be this way. For a smoother, more comfortable experience, try these tips before and during your next dental cleaning.

Tips for an easier dental cleaning

1. Practice good oral hygiene

Poor or lackluster oral hygiene allows plaque (a sticky bacterial film) and tartar (hardened plaque) to form on the teeth. This ultimately makes for a longer, more intensive dental cleaning because the dental hygienist will need to spend a lot of time scaling buildup off the teeth. This buildup can also make the teeth more sensitive to touch and temperature. A consistent oral hygiene routine can keep plaque and tartar at bay, making for a much faster and more comfortable cleaning.

2. Make a habit of flossing

While often overlooked, flossing is essential to one’s oral hygiene routine. It may look like the teeth are clean after brushing alone, but plaque can hide in spaces between the teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. Plaque only needs a day or two before it hardens into tartar.

The more tartar there is, the more painful the dental cleaning. In fact, patients who do not floss are likely to feel as though they are being poked and prodded relentlessly during a cleaning. Another reason for this sensation is that failing to floss can leave the gums sensitive and prone to bleeding.

3. Consider numbing gel or pain medication

It is common for patients to forget about oral hygiene until a dental cleaning is just around the corner. In these cases, some dentists can provide a topical numbing gel to minimize discomfort during the cleaning process. Over-the-counter pain medications (think ibuprofen or acetaminophen) may also improve one’s comfort level. Patients must check with the dentist’s office before taking any over-the-counter pain medication for a cleaning.

4. Always communicate with the hygienist

On the day of the dental cleaning, the patient should share any concerns of pain or nervousness with the dentist and dental hygienist before they begin. The dental hygienist will be the one who performs the cleaning and will adjust their technique to accommodate the patient. The hygienist can use hand scalers instead of ultrasonic scalers for patients with sensitive teeth or apply the requested numbing gel. Alternatively, the hygienist can periodically check in with the patient and take breaks when requested. Some patients find listening to music or a podcast with earbuds helpful.

5. Get regular dental cleanings

Getting regular dental cleanings can make them less painful in the long run. With fewer cleanings, the teeth will have less plaque and tartar buildup. Also, the gums should become less sensitive if they receive a dental cleaning every six months. Patients often report that each cleaning gets easier as their oral health improves.