Do I Have a Choice in What Is Done During My Teeth Cleaning?
Yes. You have a say in what happens during your dental cleaning. A cleaning isn’t a fixed script — it’s a conversation between you and your dental team.
If you’d rather skip a fluoride treatment, want to understand why X-rays are being recommended, or simply need a breather partway through, say so. Your hygienist would genuinely rather know what you need than have you white-knuckling the armrest.
Can I Say No to Part of a Dental Cleaning?
Yes. You can ask questions about or decline a recommended part of your visit.
Before making that decision, though, we want you to understand why something is being recommended. Depending on your oral health and dental history, certain parts of your visit may be important for identifying or treating a problem.
Ask us questions like:
- Why do I need this today?
- What happens if I skip it?
- Is there an alternative?
- Can we do this another time?
- Is this something you recommend for everyone or specifically for me?
Our job is to explain what we see, what we recommend, and why. From there, we can make decisions about your care together.
What If I Don’t Want the Cleaning That’s Recommended?
Sometimes an exam shows that a routine cleaning isn’t the type of cleaning your mouth needs. For example, your dental team may recommend periodontal treatment instead of a standard cleaning.
You still have a choice in your care, but your dentist or hygienist will explain why a particular treatment is being recommended and what your options are.
Have questions or preferences about your next cleaning? Tell us. We’d much rather have the conversation.