Teeth cleaning visits can be uncomfortable. In fact, they’re a driver for many of the 30-40 million Americans who admit avoiding the dentist each year due to fear and anxiety.
In the following article, we’ll be discussing some ways you can make your routine cleaning easier to handle. Open up and say, “Ah!” We’re going in.
1. Schedule Frequent Visits
First-timers often go with does deep cleaning hurt for the first question they ask before going into the chair. It would be disingenuous to say “not at all.” That’s because it’s quite common to experience some soreness and bleeding after a cleaning.
What’s not common is for these symptoms to continue once you’re on a routine. You can receive some benefit by doing an annual dental cleaning, but twice a year is ideal. This is especially true if you’re like the 37 percent of Americans who fail to floss every day.
Going frequently will keep those spaces between teeth properly clear. It’ll also ensure your teeth hold less plaque and tartar, the main drivers of gum disease.
2. Take Ibuprofen
Naproxen sodium is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) you can buy over-the-counter. It’s commonly referred to as Ibuprofen or by the brand name Advil.
Don’t take more than the recommended amount. But do try to schedule doses so you’re taking them 30 minutes before a visit and sometime afterward. The drug’s ability to tamp down inflammation can help you recover from cleaning sensitivities.
3. Practice Good Brushing Habits Everyday
The most important steps you can take! You should do the following every day with no exceptions:
- Do not “brush hard”
- Brush away from the gums
- Try to brush for approximately two minutes during each session
- Use a desensitizing toothpaste
- Scrape the tongue with your brush to control bacteria populations
Teeth hurting after cleaning also may benefit from the choice of the toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are ideal because they have the right pressure and bristle sensitivity.
4. Find the Right Hygienist
A good dental hygienist will not make you feel uncomfortable or judged by the state of your teeth. They will offer helpful tips on what you can do to make the experience easier. They’ll also be mindful of discomforts you may be experiencing while in the chair.
Of course, they’ve still got a job to do. And that job may not be without discomfort, especially if you come in with an already-existing issue. But if they’re sensitive to you, they’ll do what they can to ease the experience.
5. Make Special Requests
Last but not least, bring special requests to your hygienist that might make the experience easier. They can help you isolate a single source of pain (water-pick use, for example) and find an alternative method for accomplishing the same goal.
You also might ask your hygienist for a numbing agent. And if there’s significant cleaning that needs to be done, consider two or more sessions.
Getting Regular Teeth Cleaning Makes a Difference
Regular teeth cleaning helps every part of your oral hygiene. And in short order, it will make pains and discomforts a thing of the past.
But you have to commit to daily oral hygiene best practices and a routine visit. Contact Shallowford Family Dental Group today to set up your next appointment.