Can I Brush My Teeth Right After a Dental Cleaning?

A good dental cleaning will help you feel great about the health of your teeth. During a dental cleaning, our highly skilled dental team will clear out the plaque and tartar that has built up on your teeth, helping them look fresh and brilliant. We can also help identify dental issues and help you receive treatment before these problems can become worse. At Advanced Dentistry of Centre County in State College, PA, we are passionate about your oral health and have a wide array of services that fit all of our patient's dental needs.

One question you might have following a dental cleaning can involve if tooth brushing is allowed after a dental cleaning. Our dentists recommend you wait enough time before brushing and be cautious when you brush for the first time after the cleaning.

What is the proper timing?

You can brush your teeth on the same day as your dental cleaning. We recommend you brush your teeth before visiting us, as it will make your teeth a little easier to clean. You will remove unwanted bits of food and bacteria from your teeth beforehand, helping us manage the cleaning process.

You can brush your teeth later in the evening after the cleaning is complete. Wait a few hours to let your teeth recover, as the stress in the area from a deep cleaning will take a bit for the area to recover.

How do you brush after the cleaning?

Be gentle on your teeth when you brush them for the first time after your dental cleaning. Gentle strokes will be enough to help you clean your teeth without being too rough or otherwise hard on the teeth.

What about other activities?

Our dentists at Advanced Dentistry of Centre County in State College, PA recommend you floss your teeth starting on the next day following the cleaning. The timing should be enough to help you manage your teeth after receiving dental care. But be gentle on your teeth when doing so, as excess stress from flossing could trigger bleeding in some spots. The bleeding may be more prominent than usual at this point, as the gums will be a little more accessible after the cleaning.

You can also rinse your mouth about 2 – 3 days after the deep cleaning. Your gums will feel more sensitive after the cleaning, so avoiding mouthwash items that might be tough to manage is necessary.

Be sure to also avoid eating for at least an hour after the cleaning is complete. The timing helps you allow the teeth to recover and to help you savor their beautiful appearance. Make sure when you get back to eating and drinking that you stick with foods that won’t stain your teeth or otherwise produce lots of bacteria that might be tough to clean. You’ll appreciate your results and ensure you work harder to keep them intact.

Schedule your dental cleaning in State College, PA today

Our dentists at Advanced Dentistry of Centre County in State College, PA recommend you schedule a dental cleaning every six months. The timeframe is enough to help you ensure your teeth stay clean and comfortable. You can contact us to schedule a cleaning today. Our office is on Sandy Drive near downtown State College, so visit us today or call us to schedule your next appointment.