Under normal circumstances, a dental cleaning shouldn’t hurt. However, if it has been a while since your last appointment, issues such as gum inflammation could make your mouth unusually sensitive, which can lead to discomfort during the process. The good news is that there are several steps you can take to stay as comfortable as possible while you’re in the treatment chair. Below, you’ll find 4 tips that can help you have a more positive dental experience.
1. Ask About Having Your Mouth Numbed
One simple way to avoid discomfort during a dental cleaning (as well as a variety of other procedures) is to ask your dentist to use a local anesthetic. This will keep your mouth numb for the duration of your treatment, thus ensuring that you won’t have to worry about pain while your teeth are being worked on.
2. Take Over-the-Counter Pain Medication
When you have an unusually sensitive mouth, it pays to prepare for discomfort ahead of time. Taking an over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen shortly before your appointment can often make a noticeable difference. Be sure to carefully follow the recommended dosage for your chosen medication.
3. Improve Your Oral Hygiene
A routine dental cleaning mainly focuses on removing plaque and tartar from your teeth. If you do an excellent job of cleaning your mouth, there won’t be as much plaque and tartar present. This can result in shorter, more comfortable cleanings.
To maintain good oral hygiene, you should get in the habit of brushing at least twice a day. Make sure that you’re brushing as thoroughly as possible; in particular, you should pay close attention to the area where the teeth meet the gums. Additionally, if you aren’t already flossing, you should start so that you can get rid of plaque that might be hiding in the spaces between your teeth.
4. Don’t Whiten Your Teeth Right Before a Dental Cleaning
While you might want your teeth to look their best when you visit the dentist, whitening them right before a dental cleaning typically isn’t a good idea. The whitening process temporarily opens the pores of the teeth, which can increase their sensitivity for a while. It’s therefore best to simply wait until after your cleaning to brighten your smile.
Remember, if you’re truly worried about experiencing discomfort during your routine dental cleaning, you can simply let your dentist know. They’ll do everything they can to accommodate you so that you can enjoy a more comfortable visit.
About the Practice
At Devonshire Dental of Boston, our dentists do everything they can to make it easy for our patients to get the high-quality dental care that they deserve. Your comfort is always one of our top priorities, which is why we’ll always use a light touch when cleaning your teeth. We also offer oral conscious sedation as a way to keep nervous patients relaxed and comfortable. If it has been a while since your last dental cleaning, you can schedule an appointment at our office by visiting our website or calling (617) 350-7474.