How To Prepare Your Teeth For A Professional Dental Cleaning

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Have you avoided the dentist so long now you are afraid to go? Maybe you let your teeth go for a while. You only brush once a day instead of twice. You stopped flossing because…well, you were too busy, or too tired. Now you can feel the plaque accumulating on your teeth. And if you floss, your tender gums will bleed. You know you need a professional dental cleaning, but you dread all that scraping. Are there any steps you can take to make a cleaning easier? Ask your northwest, IN, dentist, Dr. Nicholas Cain. He will be happy to impart his knowledge regarding how to prepare your teeth for a dental cleaning.

Oral Bacteria

Your mouth plays host to entire colonies of microorganisms. An individual harbors anywhere from 34 to 72 different varieties of bacteria in their oral cavity. Most of it is harmless, but not all. It’s the bad bacteria that we keep under control with proper dental hygiene, but if you forego oral hygiene for any length of time, bad bacteria can wreak havoc on your teeth and gums.  When you fail to take proper care of your teeth, or attend your dental appointments twice yearly, you may fear what the dentist will find. There are some things you can do at home to prepare yourself–and your teeth and gums–for a dental cleaning.

  • Brush And Floss: Even if you stopped flossing for months or years, it’s important to begin flossing again. Make a point to revive your personal dental care routine. If you only brush in the morning, brush again after dinner, or before bed, so you are brushing at least twice a day. If you only brush before bed, make sure you brush before you leave for work in the morning too. If you don’t work, are retired, or work from home, brush after breakfast or before you leave the house to run errands. This way you will be sure to brush twice a day.
  • Floss: If you dread flossing before bed, then floss after dinner. It’s a perfect time to get that piece of meat that’s nagging you, and other food particles, out of your teeth. Pick a time you are comfortable with and stick to it. The more you floss, the less likely your gums will bleed.
  • Rinse With Salt Water: Research shows that salt water is an effective way to control oral bacteria. Salt kills the bacteria by dehydrating it. Saturate a 2/3 cup of water with nine teaspoons of salt and swish thoroughly between teeth.
  • Swish With Hydrogen Peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide helps prevent bacteria from building up on gums and teeth, and hardening into harmful, hard to remove, plaque. Three percent hydrogen peroxide solution is the safest, and all that is needed is a five second swish.

ABOUT NICHOLAS CAIN, DDS.

As a native of northwest Indiana, Nicholas Cain, DDS, is dedicated to providing excellent general, preventive, cosmetic, and family dentistry services to the community that raised him. To schedule your next dental appointment, call Healthy Smiles today at 219-938-2637.