Teeth Cleaning Pre-Visit Instructions

What You Should Do Before Your Dental Cleaning Appointment

When was the last time you had a teeth cleaning? While brushing and flossing are terrific ways to keep your teeth and gums clean at home; plaque, calculus and stains will build on your teeth over time, and it is almost impossible to remove by yourself. If left untreated for a long time, it can cause cavities and gum disease. This is where teeth cleaning from a dental professional is essential. It is important to follow these pre-visit instructions to ensure a successful teeth cleaning experience.

Food

• Eat breakfast and lunch as you normally would on the day of your dental cleaning procedure. 

Medications

• Take all your normal medications as directed that you normally would, unless otherwise advised by your doctor or dentist. If there have been any recent changes in your medications or health status, please inform your dentist.
• If you require antibiotic prophylaxis prior to your dental cleaning (common for patients with joint replacements or heart valve problems), be sure to take a loading dose of your antibiotic 1 hour before your dental appointment.

Oral Hygiene

• Brush At Least Twice A Day: Conventional wisdom says that you should brush at least twice a day; once in the morning and once before you go to bed. Two times a day is a good rule of thumb. But ideally, you should brush right after a meal. This is to maximize the amount of time your teeth stay clean between meals.
• When You Cannot Brush Your Teeth, Rinse With Water Or Mouthwash: It is sometimes not practical to be brushing after every meal. You may be busy at work or at school during your day and cannot find time to brush or floss. If this is the case, at least rinse with water or mouthwash to get as much food debris and taste out of your mouth. One brand that we highly recommend is Crest Gum Care Mouthwash Oral Rinse
• Consider Upgrading Your Toothbrush: Ensure you are using a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your teeth and gums, as they are gentler and less likely to cause damage or irritation to the gum tissue around it. One brand of toothbrush that we highly recommend is the Curaprox CS5460 Ultra Soft Swiss Toothbrush. Also consider upgrading to an electric toothbrush, which can be more effective at removing plaque and bacteria from the teeth and gums. One brand of electric toothbrush that we highly recommend is the Philips Sonicare Protectiveclean 6100.
• Floss Daily: Flossing is critical to remove plaque and food particles that may accumulate around your teeth and gums. Ideally you should be flossing every time you brush, but once a day is the bare minimum. We recommend GUM ButlerWeave Dental Floss. If you have difficulty using regular string floss, consider using dental flossers (such as Sunstar 888JC GUM Advanced Care Flossers) or interdental brushes (GUM Proxabrush) to clean the space between the teeth and gums.
• Buy A Water Flosser: We highly recommend you purchase a Water Flosser and to use it daily in addition to regular flossing; the Water Flosser will flush out debris missed by floss and toothbrush. Ideally you should be water flossing every time you brush, but once a day is the bare minimum. One brand that we highly recommend is the Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser 
• Use A Gum Care Antibacterial Mouthwash Daily: Rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash specially formulated for gum care daily to help reduce the risk of gingivitis or periodontitis and to freshen your breath. Ideally you should be rinsing with mouthwash every time you brush, but once a day is the bare minimum. One brand that we highly recommend is Crest Gum Care Mouthwash Oral Rinse
• Use A Gum Care Toothpaste: Be sure to use a toothpaste that has a unique formula that penetrates deep into the gums, providing a deep clean that helps to neutralize harmful bacteria and promote gum health. One brand that we highly recommend is the Crest Pro Health Gum Detoxify Deep Clean Toothpaste.

Clothing

• Be sure to wear comfortable, open collared, loose clothing to the dental cleaning appointment. 
• Try to not wear a light color or white top to prevent visible staining. 
• Minimal or no make-up is recommended. 
• Avoid high heels and coloured/gel nail polish. 
• Please remove contact lenses and all jewelry, especially from the tongue, lip, or nose.

Entertainment During Your Visit

• Bring headphones if you would like to listen to music or your favorite podcast on your mobile device.

Review The Post-Operative Instructions

• You should review the teeth cleaning post operative instructions. Be familiar with what you must do after your dental visit to ensure a successful recovery.

Have Questions?

• If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact us.