Unless you have a specific mental illness, no one enjoys being in pain. In fact, you might be surprised by the lengths some people willingly go to in order to avoid it. Unfortunately, going to the dentist even just for a cleaning is often feared to be one of these situations. However, a simple teeth cleaning, when performed by a trained professional, shouldn’t hurt. If you have an existing issue, like a cavity or bleeding gums, you may experience some sensitivity, but otherwise you shouldn’t feel any pain during a cleaning.
To keep you motivated to see your dentist regularly for dental cleanings, it might help to learn more about them, why they matter, and what you can do to enhance your dental experience.
What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?
A routine professional cleaning doesn’t involve anything intimidating or invasive. In fact, it’s basically a more advanced version of what you do at home! Although hardened plaque is difficult for you to remove on your own, your dentist has specialized training and instruments to take away these harmful, bacteria-filled deposits safely and comfortably.
Your dentist and hygienist take advantage of precise tools to methodically scrape and chip away these deposits especially in areas that can be challenging to reach, like those in between teeth and near the gumline. Instead of using a toothbrush, your hygienist polishes your teeth with a special, yet gentle instrument that leaves your teeth looking at least a couple of shades whiter than before. Finally, the hygienist demonstrates proper flossing technique with a standard string of floss to clear out any remaining debris. During this time, they may ask if you have any questions or offer advice to improve your at-home hygiene routine. By the end of the appointment, your teeth should feel squeaky clean, fresh, and smooth.
Why Are Regular Dental Cleanings Important?
If you stick to a daily hygiene routine, you may think you don’t need to have your teeth regularly cleaned by a professional. However, these appointments can actively prevent future problems from developing. A plaque deposit, if left unidentified and unchecked, can continue to grow over time, allowing bacteria direct access to your enamel and gum tissue and paving the way for cavities or gum disease.
Put another way, if you want to avoid painful decay and smile-altering gum disease, having someone take extra care of your teeth at least every six months ensures that these issues don’t pop up nearly as frequently or as severely as they would if you skipped.
What Can I Do to Make My Dental Cleanings Easier or Shorter?
Did you know that you can contribute to a better dental cleaning experience? For instance, when you continue to brush and floss thoroughly every day at home, you create less work for your hygienist to handle when you go into the dentist’s office. If you neglect your daily oral hygiene, on the other hand, you may have a cavity already or require more time in the chair to clear hardened deposits out.
Although your at-home dental maintenance is undoubtedly essential for lifelong oral health, coming to the dentist for routine preventive cleaning is just as important and shouldn’t hurt. In fact, it’s meant to keep you from hurting! Make sure you’re staying up to date with your checkup and cleaning appointments!
About the Practice
Dr. Jason Parli and Dr. Alexis Gersten have been practicing at Beach Dental for more than 20 years. With advanced training in dental implants, cosmetic services, Invisalign, and more, we have the expertise to handle complex procedures, but we always encourage basic preventive care and regular visits to keep smiles strong. Whether you’re coming from East Moriches, Manorville, Westhampton Beach, or another surrounding area, contact us online or call us at 631-325-0731 to make an appointment.