How to Get the Most Out of Your Dental Cleaning Appointment

Want to get the most out of your dental cleanings? There’s a trick to it, but you’re in luck — we’re happy to share the best ways to make the most of your semi-annual professional cleanings. Though visiting the dentist is one of the most important things you can do for your oral and overall health, there are everyday things that you can do to fight plaque, take care of your teeth, and make your dentist’s job easier.

Your semi-annual dental cleanings should always be performed by compassionate and experienced professionals that keep your comfort in mind. At Goodman Dental Center in Queen Creek, Arizona, Brian Goodman, DDS, and Tanner Goodman, DMD, help our patients follow good habits in between their dental cleanings.

Taking care of your teeth between your cleanings is ultimately the secret to getting the most out of your cleanings, and there are plenty of ways to take care of your oral health. Here are some of our favorite ways to get the most of your next appointment:

Watch what you eat

We all know that sodas are bad. They contain high levels of sugar and sodium, and the acidic nature of the carbonation can eat through tooth enamel. This can make your teeth more vulnerable to forming cavities. Just as with soda, sweets, whether they’re pastries, candy, or ice cream contain high levels of sugar, which can also cause cavities.

Choosing teeth-friendly foods is easy, as some of your favorite healthy snacks actually clean your teeth. Try eating nuts, carrots, and apples between meals. Apples are particularly good at cleaning teeth, and also contain plenty of fiber.

Watch what you drink

All over the world, and all over the country, people enjoy wine, tea, and coffee. Though the reason you’re having any of those three is usually different, the effect on your teeth can be the same. These beverages, and some tomato-based foods, can stain your teeth, causing them to look dull. Make sure that you drink plenty of water, and brush and floss your teeth at least twice per day.

Ask your doctor for help if you’re a smoker

We all should understand the perils of smoking today. Nicotine remains the leading cause of preventable disease in the United States, causing a long list of health problems, not the least of which being cancers of the mouth and throat. Smoking and chewing tobacco often stain teeth, and can affect your breath long after you’ve finished smoking. Quitting smoking is essential to your oral and complete bodily health. Smoking also increases your risk of developing gum disease, which can become severe, especially if you’re a person living with Type 2 diabetes.

Temper your alcohol consumption

Alcoholic beverages, for some, are part of a good time. Occasional alcohol consumption is normal, and rarely results in major health issues. However, it is important to remember that consuming alcohol is a double dose of sugar — the alcohol itself is processed as sugar by your body, and any sugar that sweetens your beverage will also enter your body.

Skip the plaque, remember to floss

Let’s be clear here: there is no way to guarantee that you won’t experience plaque on your teeth, even with the most consistent brushing and flossing. Brushing and flossing are still the baseline of oral health care, but Dr. Muscato still needs to clear anything that your twice-daily brushing and flossing missed.

Flossing helps to remove food particles and foreign objects that you can’t see. If left stuck below the gum line, the particles harden, and you’re left with plaque. Untreated plaque puts you at risk of gum disease, and if you’re living with a chronic condition, that condition can make it much worse.