Four Tips to Prepare for a Dental Cleaning

Four Tips to Prepare for a Dental Cleaning from All Smiles Dental Center in San Antonio, TXThere are generally no preparations that are required for a dental cleaning. However, there are certain things that you can do to help ensure the visit goes well. This is particularly useful for patients that may have dental anxiety or not know what they should expect for the visit.

How to prepare for a dental cleaning

The best ways to prepare for dental cleaning are to pre-clean by brushing and flossing, avoid whitening teeth for several weeks before the cleaning, prepare a list of questions you may want to ask your dentist, and give yourself plenty of time to arrive on the day of the dental cleaning.

Pre-clean before you arrive at the dentist

It never hurts to pre-clean before you arrive at the dentist for a dental cleaning visit. This can include a thorough brushing a few hours before the scheduled visit. Also, be sure to floss thoroughly as well to remove as much as possible between teeth and along the gum line. To help ensure you get the most possible out of the dental cleaning, consider not eating until after the cleaning visit. This can help prevent food build-up before the cleaning begins.

Wait until after your cleaning to whiten teeth

It is generally encouraged to avoid store-bought whitening products unless the dentist says it is acceptable. This is because they often contain ingredients that can cause increased sensitivity, especially if not applied correctly. The sensitivity may worsen during a dental cleaning. Subsequently, it is best to wait until the next cleaning to ask your dentist about the best way to brighten your smile. They may recommend a professional, in-office whitening procedure on a follow-up visit, which produces higher-quality results and lasts longer than store-bought whitening kits.

Prepare a list of questions to ask your dentist

All too many patients leave the office after a dental cleaning thinking that they forgot to ask a question they wanted to ask. Of course, patients can always email the dentist after the visit. However, to avoid forgetting questions that you have in mind, make a list of questions before arriving at the check-up visit and dental cleaning.

Give yourself plenty of time so you are not late

For patients that have some dental anxiety, arriving late to the appointment can make the anxiety much worse. Subsequently, it is helpful to arrive early and ensure you are not rushing to make it to the visit on time. This is particularly helpful if it is your first time with a new dentist and you are not exactly sure where their office is located.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Cleaning and Examinations in San Antonio, TX

Has it been more than six months since your last dental cleaning?

If it has been more than six months since your last dental cleaning or check-up visit with a dentist, then we encourage you to contact our dental team today to arrange a convenient time for your next cleaning. While following the tips in this review can help, our cleaning process is non-invasive, and no special preparations are generally required.

Request an appointment or call All Smiles Dental Center at 210-714-7429 for an appointment in our San Antonio office.

Recent Posts

FAQs About Regular Dental Cleanings

Many people question the importance and effectiveness of a routine dental cleaning. To help you understand this preventive treatment, this article covers answers to commonly asked questions about dental cleanings.Patients should get clean teeth and fresh breath after the dental cleaning. Cleanings are normally painless and take less than 45 minutes. The dentist will scrub…

Does A Dental Cleaning Reduce My Risk For Oral Cancer?

Dental cleaning takes up the second half of every routine dental checkup. The professional teeth cleaning exercise has numerous oral health benefits. Is reducing the risk of oral cancer one of them?A dentist has the training and keen eye to spot areas of neglect in the far reaches of the mouth. These qualities allow them…

Four Things Dental Cleanings Can Treat

A dental cleaning is a common dental procedure that is primarily performed for preventive purposes. This means it is not generally used to treat more complex oral health concerns but instead is used to prevent oral health concerns from developing in the first place. However, there are some minor oral health concerns that dental cleanings…

Recent Posts

What To Expect During Your First Visit To A Cosmetic Dentist

What To Expect During Your First Visit To A Cosmetic Dentist

Stepping into a cosmetic dentist’s clinic gives you the chance to look at how your smile can improve. The first visit will be an educational one. It also gives your dentist a chance to know you better. Here are the things that you should expect during your first visit to your cosmetic dentist.The cosmetic dentist…

A Smile Makeover From A Cosmetic Dentist

A Smile Makeover From A Cosmetic Dentist

During a smile makeover, a cosmetic dentist typically performs two or more procedures as part of an overall plan to improve a smile's appearance. Therefore, the definition of a smile makeover can be very broad and customizable. Smile makeovers can even be as simple as one procedure, such as dental veneers. A smile makeover plan…