For many patients, the idea of a dental cleaning brings unnecessary worry. After all, dental appointments aren’t always portrayed fairly or positively on television or social media, or you might fixate on the anxiety you felt at a previous checkup. But the truth is, these routine visits are quite ordinary and pain-free! More importantly, they set your smile up for a bright and healthy future. Here’s what you need to know about these appointments and some tips to ensure no fear or discomfort is felt.
Why Regular Dental Cleanings Matter
Professional checkups and cleanings involve two parts: an examination of your smile, in order to review its health and look for concerning symptoms, and the cleaning portion. This involves removing plaque buildup that brushing and flossing at home can’t reach, helping to prevent issues like cavities, gum disease, and more serious problems that progress over time—and do hurt your mouth!
For most patients, teeth cleanings don’t hurt at all, even if they do seem a little intimidating. In fact, they actually become more comfortable the more consistent you stay with your hygiene and biannual appointments, as your smile will generally be in better shape after each consecutive visit. No intensive work is done during these cleanings, so anesthesia or sedation is usually not required (though the latter can be requested in some cases to ensure patient comfort and compliance).
Tips for Ensuring a Smooth & Comfortable Dental Cleaning
Your dental team will do everything they can to ensure that you’re at ease during your visit, and since they’re trained to perform hygiene tasks, you can rest assured that they won’t hurt you. That said, some additional comfort tips include:
- Keep up with your appointments; plaque and tartar harden over time, making cleaning more involved if visits are skipped. Be sure to brush and floss daily at home to help with this.
- Communicate with your dentist and hygienist, letting them know if you have any concerns or sensitive areas so they can adjust their approach.
- If you’re particularly nervous, you can try breathing exercises or other calming techniques if sedation dentistry is not an option.
- At home, consider using desensitizing toothpaste regularly and before checkups; it might help to minimize sensitivity.
Remember, a dental checkup and cleaning isn’t going to hurt you or your smile at all—in fact, the work done during these visits ensures that painful problems cannot develop down the road!
About the Practice
Here at Ralph Avenue Dental Care, our talented team has proudly served the needs of those in Brooklyn and the nearby communities for several years. We offer a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatment options—and if you or a loved one needs a checkup and cleaning, we’ve got you covered. If you have any questions about the blog or need to schedule an appointment for yourself or a family member, please reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (718) 531-0300.