Regular dental appointments allow your oral health professional to thoroughly clean your teeth and check your mouth for signs of trouble so problems can be addressed in their early stages. The American Dental Association recommends seeing your dentist every six months, but you may be anxious about your appointment if you haven’t seen your oral healthcare provider for a while longer than that. Here’s a quick look at how dental checkups and cleanings work as well as a few tips for staying comfortable.
Do Dental Cleanings Hurt?
A patient who practices excellent oral hygiene and visits their dentist every six months for checkups will probably only need a regular checkup and cleaning that usually takes about a half-hour. This process will involve your dentist inspecting your teeth and soft oral tissues, carefully removing plaque, tartar, food debris, and minor stains with specialized instruments, and recommending better oral hygiene habits, and most patients will not experience anything worse than mild discomfort during their appointment. However, a patient who has signs of gum disease or other oral health issues may need a longer and more intensive process than this, and some with especially severe symptoms may need to be scheduled for further appointments.
How Can I Make My Dental Appointments Less Stressful?
A few excellent ways to reduce dentist-related anxiety include:
- Consistently practicing excellent oral hygiene habits by brushing and flossing every day so you can prevent large accumulations of infectious material.
- Thoroughly brushing and flossing before your appointment to reduce how much your dentist has to clean.
- Attending regular dental appointments every six months so you can avoid nasty oral infections that may require intensive treatments.
- Taking an over-the-counter pain medication according to the instructions printed on the label before your appointment.
- Limiting your intake of sugary and acidic foods and beverages to prevent plaque and enamel erosion.
- Bringing a book or a music player to help you keep your mind off your appointment while you are in the waiting room.
Don’t let anxiety about visiting your dentist discourage you from seeking preventive care that can help you avoid painful and destructive oral infections. Regular dental appointments will help you keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life.
About the Author
Dr. Paul Samia earned his dental degree at Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College and earned his Fellowship in Implantology through the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. His office in Garner offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dental services as well as implants. To schedule your next checkup and cleaning, contact the office online or dial (919) 779-2818.