5 Ways To Prepare For A Dental Cleaning

16 March 2022
 Categories: Dentist, Blog


Regular dental cleanings can protect your teeth and gums from cavities, gingivitis, and other oral health problems. Dentists recommend most people schedule professional teeth cleaning every six months. While a dental cleaning may seem pretty straightforward, it is still important to plan for it.

Here are a few ways to prepare for your next dental cleaning.

1. Write Down Your Questions and Concerns 

If you have any questions or concerns about your oral health, your next dental cleaning appointment is the perfect time to voice them. For instance, you might be concerned that your teeth bleed after brushing or wonder why you have a dry mouth. Jot these questions and concerns down in a notebook to avoid forgetting important details.

2. Think Twice About Whitening Your Teeth

Some dental patients whiten their teeth right before a professional cleaning to impress their dentist. Unfortunately, this can end up doing more harm than good. The chemicals in whitening products can make your teeth very sensitive for a few days. This can make your dental cleaning more painful.

To avoid discomfort, plan to whiten your teeth at a later date.

3. Bring Distractions

If you get nervous about visiting the dentist, do not feel bad. Many people deal with dental anxiety. One way to reduce your anxiety is to bring distractions to your dental appointment. For example, listening to soothing music over headphones can help you relax and make you forget that you are at the dentist's office.

4. Brush and Floss Your Teeth Thoroughly

Brushing and flossing your teeth right before your dental cleaning will remove food particles and freshen your breath. This is something your dentist and dental hygienist will appreciate. If you want to freshen your breath even more, you should use a mouthwash before your appointment.

5. Plan to Get to Your Appointment Early

The last thing you want to do is rush to get to your dental cleaning appointment. This can make you feel even more anxious. To avoid unnecessary worry, plan to leave your house a few minutes early. This way, you will have plenty of time to fill out paperwork and relax in the waiting room before your appointment.

Taking the time to prepare for your next dental cleaning is worth the effort. If it has been more than six months since your last professional cleaning, you may want to consider scheduling an appointment with your dentist soon. 


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