Cleaning Your Teeth Before the Dentist | Expert Advice from Hove Dental

How to Clean Your Teeth Before Visiting the Dentist

Following a routine for brushing and flossing is always going to place your oral health in good standing for your check-up. Although many people take good care of their oral hygiene, the presence of plaque is often unavoidable without regular dental intervention.

It’s very common for people to panic over the condition of their teeth days before their checkup. Even if you take good care of your oral health and have no apparent problems with your teeth, it may not stop you from being slightly nervous.

Brush and floss before your visit

There is no secret formula or best way to clean your teeth before the dentist. Your dentist will be able to identify any clear or underlying problems during your checkup. If you plan on eating a meal before you go for your checkup, be sure to brush and floss afterwards. Eating before dentist cleans your teeth is not advised as food particles are likely to be left over.

However, there are some great, simple ways to help you achieve the best checkup possible.

Brush the right way

How to get your teeth clean before the dentist is very simple and it begins with brushing the right way. This is essential to help maintain a high standard of oral health. We recommend spending between one and a half to two minutes brushing twice a day and repeat this with flossing. You can also opt to use light-bristled toothbrushes if you have sensitive teeth.

Here are some of our top tips:

• Use a soft-bristled brush as much as possible (hard bristles can wear down your enamel and damage your gum line)
• Do not neglect the back of your mouth, behind your teeth or your tongue
• Brush your tongue lightly (some toothbrushes come equipped with a tongue brusher on the back)
• Ensure you brush all teeth well for two minutes and finish with flossing.

Wind the floss around both pointer fingers and wrap the floss around each tooth, gently pulling to clean. Do this for each individual tooth until all have been cleaned. Rinse with warm water afterwards.

Change your toothbrush often

Using the same toothbrush over a number of months is going to decrease its effectiveness. If you’re using a standard toothbrush, be sure to place it every few months or when the bristles start to fray. For electric toothbrush users, simply replace the head every few months. Toothbrush heads can be bought over the counter at any pharmacy.

In addition, old toothbrushes may harbour harmful bacteria which can cause infections such as gingivitis and even gum disease. Be sure to store your toothbrush in clean, safe place and away from other toothbrushes.

What happens when you don’t floss and brush

While there may not be any immediately visible signs of bacteria in your mouth, it is likely they will be hiding in and around the crevices of your mouth. This bacteria won’t cause any immediate problems but over time, it will start to attack the enamel and eventually make its way around your mouth.

Regular brushing and flossing help to remove this bacteria and stop it from being able to start causing any serious problems. In an attempt to dispel this bacteria, your body will respond in the form of inflammation, which can become very uncomfortable.

The inflammation will not stop until your dentist prescribes medication, so it is essential that you seek immediate treatment.

Mouthwash

Mouthwash is another oral cleaning option after brushing and flossing. The liquid helps to rinse and disinfect your mouth, helping to remove bacteria and leave your mouth fresh (great before a checkup). Ensure you spit out the mouthwash once you have rinsed for one minute.

Arrange your consultation today

We advise all patients to book a checkup twice a year (every six months) to ensure nothing is out of the ordinary. Our team offers a unique service for nervous patients before and during their visits. We understand that visiting the dentist is a worrying thought for some and we are here to offer our care and support.

For more information on booking an appointment or how we can help make your experience easier with us, please do not hesitate to get in touch.