Are you almost considering canceling your upcoming appointment for a dental cleaning and checkup because you are worried it will be too painful? A lot of people experience pain during dental cleanings, but did you know that there are ways you can reduce the pain and sensitivity issues you experience during routine cleanings? Here are some of the best tips to help you accomplish this.

Start using sensitive-teeth toothpaste now

If you browse through the selection of toothpaste products at any store, you will see a variety of different types that are designed for people with sensitive teeth. Using a toothpaste product like this can make a huge difference in the way your teeth feel on a normal daily basis and during routine cleanings. Using a sensitive toothpaste product helps seal the tubules in the teeth over time. By doing this, it will reduce the sensitivity you feel on a normal basis, and this will make your cleanings less painful. It takes a few weeks for the toothpaste to work, so make sure you start this right away.

Ask your dentist to use topical numbing ointment

Another option is to ask your dentist to use topical numbing ointment before cleaning your teeth. This is something that dentists use prior to giving shots in a person's mouth to numb the area. It does not hurt when a dentist applies this ointment, yet it provides a numbing feeling so you feel less during the cleaning.

Take pain medication beforehand

Taking a couple of ibuprofen tablets is another good step to take, even if you use other methods listed here. Ibuprofen relieves pain and inflammation and taking a couple of tablets prior to your cleaning can mask some of the pain you would normally feel.

Inquire as to why your teeth are so sensitive

The last suggestion involves talking to your dentist to find out why you feel so much pain during a typical cleaning, and there are many reasons for this. In some cases, the pain and sensitivity are due to receding gumlines. In other cases, it is due to enamel erosion. If your dentist can narrow down the cause of your sensitivity, he or she might be able to provide you with a long-term treatment option for this problem.

If you are worried that your mouth might hurt too much during your next cleaning, talk to your dentist. Skipping appointments will only make this problem worse, and there are solutions for it.