At first, I thought it was overkill, but honestly, it made a difference.
I used to be skeptical about frequent cleanings too. When my daughter got braces, her ortho pushed for the same thing—every three months. I thought, really? But after seeing how much stuff gets trapped around brackets, I changed my mind. DIY is great for daily care, but those pro cleanings catch things you just can’t see. It’s a bit of a time commitment, but less stressful than dealing with a cavity or decalcification later.
I’m right there with you—it felt like such a hassle at first. I kept worrying about the cost and time, and honestly, sitting in that chair gets my nerves going every single time. But after my first cleaning post-braces, I was shocked by what they found. I brush and floss religiously but still missed stuff. The anxiety of cavities or white spots later just isn’t worth skipping it for me. It’s not fun, but it’s a relief knowing I’m not leaving anything to chance.
I totally get what you mean about the nerves and the cost. I actually debated skipping the professional cleaning before my braces, thinking, “Hey, I’m pretty meticulous with my brushing and flossing—how bad could it be?” But after reading a bunch of horror stories about stains and white spots, I caved and booked the appointment. Turns out, even with my best efforts, there was stuff hiding in places I couldn’t reach... and I’m not talking about just a little bit.
Honestly, the worst part was sitting there trying not to overthink every sound those tools made. But in the end, it felt kind of satisfying knowing I’d done everything possible to start with a clean slate. The bill stung a bit, though. Still, as much as I hate shelling out for dental stuff, I’d rather pay now than deal with fixing something bigger later. Not saying it’s fun, but for me, it beat the anxiety of wondering if I missed something important.
I get the logic, but honestly, I still wonder if the professional cleaning is always worth it. I mean, my last cleaning cost almost as much as a month’s groceries. Did your dentist actually insist on it before braces, or was it just “recommended”? Sometimes I feel like they push extra stuff just in case...