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How You Should Prepare For Your Dental Cleaning Appointment

It is extremely important to schedule your dental cleanings once every six months to remove all of the tartar from the teeth. And, while the cleaning appointment may seem like it requires no work on your part, there are certainly a few things you should be doing to prepare for the appointment. Keep reading to learn what these things are.

Brush Your Teeth

Some people believe that they can skip their morning brushing if they are going to the dentist for a cleaning. However, this is not a good idea for a variety of reasons. First of all, tartar can harden within a 24 to 48 hour period. This means that you may contribute to the formation of new accumulations if you simply wait to brush your teeth. More cleaning is then required during the appointment. And, since you will be leaving food debris and plaque in the mouth, this gives bacteria an added opportunity to thrive, placing you at a greater risk of developing gum disease and cavities.

Also, your cleaning appointment gives your dentist the opportunity to see how well you are brushing and flossing at home. If you skip your brushing and flossing, then the dentist may think that you do not clean well enough. You want to brush and floss normally so the professional can give your pointers on the spots in your mouth you may be normally missing. For example, if you do not floss close enough to the gumline, then you want your dentist to see this so you can learn the proper flossing technique.

Consider Potential Issues

A dental cleaning is essentially a checkup for the teeth. This is your opportunity to inform your dentist of any issues that you have developed within the last months or of any problems you have noticed. So, you want to sit down and think about your teeth for a few minutes before your appointment. Write down whether you feel as though your teeth are more sensitive than they were or if you have been feeling pain from one or several of your teeth.

If your gums have started to bleed or if you have noticed some redness or irritation around the tissues, then jot this down as well. Also, if your mouth is dry or if your teeth seem to be grinding, then you want to mention these things.

Some other concerns include jaw pain and soreness and discomfort you may feel radiating through the jaw.

If you want to know more about the different ways that you should be preparing for your cleaning appointment, speak with a dental care professional.