Anxiety about going to the dentist’s office is an unfortunately common problem, and many people go for years without receiving regular teeth cleanings or necessary restorative care because they are nervous about receiving dental treatment. While scheduling an appointment with your dentist is a great first step to getting your oral health on track, you may be worried that your teeth cleaning will be unpleasant. Here’s a guide to how your dentist will ensure your comfort and a few tips to help take the stress out of the situation.
Why Do I Need Regular Dental Cleanings?
The mouth is home to a wide variety of bacteria, and some of them can wreak a great deal of havoc on your oral health if they are not regularly eliminated with good hygiene and routine dental appointments. If these germs are not removed, they will eventually cause destructive infections such as periodontitis or an agonizing toothache.
Even if you have the worst dental phobia in the world, you can rest assured that any slight discomfort or temporary anxiety you experience at the dentist’s office will be far preferable to the terrible misery and permanent damage that come with severe oral infections. Seeing your dentist regularly is crucial to ensuring the health and comfort of your mouth in the long run.
Will My Dental Cleaning Hurt?
If your teeth are in great shape, your dental cleaning should involve little or no discomfort. However, neglecting one’s oral hygiene and skipping dental appointments for too long can leave one’s teeth and gums with excessive accumulations of plaque, food residue, and oral germs that require more effort to clean. While this can make the dental cleaning process less simple for some patients, your dentist will treat with you with gentleness and compassion and do everything in their power to ensure that you feel safe and comfortable.
How Can I Stay Comfortable at the Dentist’s Office?
Luckily, there are a number of simple ways to make your professional dental cleanings easier and more comfortable. A few of these include:
- Practice excellent oral hygiene: Brushing and flossing regularly at home can prevent stubborn plaque accumulations on your teeth and keep your oral tissues stimulated. Keeping your mouth clean and getting it used to oral care in this manner is the best way to ensure that your dental cleanings are brief, easy, and comfortable.
- Over-the-counter pain medication: Taking store-bought pain medication a few hours before your dental appointment can help reduce any discomfort you experience. Make sure to carefully follow the instructions on the label.
- Listening to music: Some dental patients find that listening to groovy tunes in the waiting room can it easier to avoid stressing out at the dentist’s office.
Don’t let dental anxiety set your teeth up for injury, infection, and loss. Keeping up with routine dental appointments is a crucial part of ensuring that your smile stays healthy for life.
About the Practice
Distinctive Dentistry offers the finest oral health services available in the Dallas area. Led by Drs. Bobby Shirley, Clay Cannon, and Jack Bickford, the staff treats each patient with genuine compassion and remarkable customer service in a calm and welcoming office environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and implant dentistry. To book your next dental checkup and cleaning, contact the office online or dial (770) 445-6606.
