How to Make Your Next Dental Appointment a Breeze

If it’s been a while since your last dental check-up and cleaning, you may be a little worried about what to expect at your next appointment. The good news is that when it comes to visiting the dentist, there’s nothing to fear but fear itself. If you’ve been avoiding your routine exam or have been hesitant to treat dental problems because of worries that it could be painful, here’s how to make your next visit to the dentist comfortable and stress free!

Pain Prevention

Though your dental exam and cleaning shouldn’t hurt, if you haven’t flossed or had a professional cleaning in a while, you could experience some sensitivity and gum tenderness. To preempt pain, try taking an OTC pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen 30 minutes to an hour prior to your appointment, and switch to a sensitive toothpaste a week before your appointment to lower your risk of discomfort after your cleaning.

Home Maintenance

In the days leading up to your appointment, make sure you are staying on top of your oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day, and floss at least once a day. This will make your dental hygienist’s job easier, but it can also help reduce discomfort during your treatment, too.

Hold off On Whitening

There’s no need to try and trick your dental team by using whitening products prior to your appointment. Your dentist’s office is a judgement-free zone, and whitening teeth with plaque buildup is not only an exercise in futility, if you have undiagnosed cavities, you could actually be making them worse by bleaching your teeth.

If you are still concerned about the color of your teeth after your professional cleaning, speak to your dentist about your whitening options following your exam.

Stop Anxiety in its Tracks

If you suffer from dental anxiety or fear, you’re not alone. Upwards of 36 percent of American adults have some degree of dental phobia, which is why your dentist offers sedation options to help. If your anxiety is keeping you from getting important preventive or restorative dental care, speak to your dentist about sedation dentistry. Nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation are excellent solutions and can often help patients relax long enough to undergo a variety of dental treatments, even routine cleanings.

Remember, while it is common to worry about your dental exam and cleaning causing pain, there are many things you can do to help prevent discomfort and alleviate anxiety so you can properly protect your smile with the help of your dentist!

About Our Practice

At DeMartino Dental Group, we’ve been proudly serving the Phillipsburg community for over 50 years, and we’re proud to have the opportunity to have helped generations of patients maintain their healthy, beautiful smiles!

Don’t let the fear of pain or the unknown keep you from getting the oral healthcare you need. Contact us today by calling 908-859-5260 to schedule your biannual exam and cleaning, or to discuss your sedation dentistry options for appointments of any kind.