Many people are anxious about going to the dentist. Though dental cleanings should not cause you pain, factors like gingivitis, tooth decay, and other complications can result in sensitivity, causing discomfort during treatment. Here’s what to know about staying comfortable while receiving a dental cleaning.
How Do I Avoid Pain at the Dentist?
The best way to avoid dental pain is through good oral hygiene at home. The better care you give your teeth, the less work your dentist will have to do and the less time you’ll spend in the chair. At a minimum, you should be brushing twice a day, perhaps after every meal. Regular flossing can remove a great deal of plaque.
Gum inflammation is a vicious cycle. If you don’t do your regular proper oral hygiene, the gums become irritated, which makes taking care of your teeth more uncomfortable. To reverse the process, brush and floss regularly anyway. Consistent hygiene will remove the bacteria that is causing the inflammation, but it may take a little time. Desensitizing toothpaste can numb the discomfort until the teeth and gums can be cared for more easily.
How Do I Stay Comfortable in the Dentist’s Chair?
Waiting in the dentist’s chair can be an ordeal unto itself. One way to manage the anxiety is to listen to tunes through your headphones, but the best thing you can do is to find the right dentist. You want someone who is compassionate and competent. Reading online reviews can help you find a good match.
How Painful Is Not Going?
Without professional cleaning, it is nearly impossible to manage plaque. If plaque is allowed to accumulate, it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Gum disease can result in infections that can spread to other parts of the body. Regular dental cleanings can prevent all of this. Any discomfort that comes from good dental care beats the pain of tooth decay and gum disease any day of the year. With everyday hygiene at home and two cleanings a year at the dentist, your mouth can easily stay disease and pain-free both in and out of the chair.
About the Practice
Corcoran Privitera Family Dental serves patients from two locations in Peebles and Waverly, OH. Led by Drs. Hannah Corcoran, Brandon Privitera, and Randy Franklin, the practice builds lasting relationships by providing the highest standard of care with the greatest degree of comfort. Services include general, pediatric, restorative, cosmetic, sedation, and emergency dentistry, SureSmile aligners, and dental implants. To learn more about how comfortable the dentist’s chair can be, contact the office online or call the Waverly location at (740) 835-4698.