Good oral health is the key to not just your physical health but also your mental health and social well-being. Lack of oral health can lead to a situation where you not only suffer physically but also find it embarrassing to meet people and socialize with them.
Good oral hygiene involves not just brushing and flossing your teeth but also making routine visits to the dentist. Routine dental exams and thorough cleaning of your teeth can go a long way in keeping your healthier.
If you are getting ready for your first dental appointment, make sure you prepare for dentist appointment, beforehand.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: How Often Should You Go to the Dentist
Tips To Prepare for a Dentist Appointment
You are reading this article to know what to do before dentist appointment. So, Let’s find out some handy tips which
1. Make the Right Choice of Dentist
Make sure you choose a trustworthy dentist who besides being the master of his or her craft also believes in keeping an open line of communication. That way, they will inspire confidence and help you establish a strong dentist-patient relationship. Reading up their website, checking patient’s reviews and testimonials can all be excellent resources to help you make up your mind.
2. Reconfirm Your Appointment
It will be a good idea to reconfirm your appointment a day before so that there are no chances of error. Also, you sure do not want to be late for the appointment and add to your anxiety levels.
3. Share Your Dental History
It is imperative that the dentist has access to your previous dental records. This may mean having your dental history transferred from a prior dental office. While this may sound like a lot of work, it is well worth it, as your dentist should not be in the dark when it comes to any prior dental treatment. If you are/were taking any medications, the dentist also must be told about it, along with the exact dosage.
4. Insurance Information
If your dentist needs to bill your insurance provider, make sure you carry all the information with you.
5. Be Rested
Make sure you get a good night’s sleep. It can go a long way in calming your nerves. Lack of sleep, on the other hand can exacerbate your anxiety as also impact your decision-making powers. Good sleep will also ensure that you are in a good mood for your appointment.
6. Clean Your Mouth Thoroughly
Mostly it is a good idea to clean your mouth before your appointment. That will mean thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth. Sometimes though the dentist may feel the need to not work on a clean mouth. It is a good idea, therefore to check with the dentist beforehand on what the protocol should be.
7. Arrive Early
Arriving early has multiple advantages. For one, it will help you fill up any paperwork required for your first appointment. Even otherwise, running late for an appointment may add to your anxiety; something that you want to avoid.
8. List All Your Concerns
It will help if you take a little time and list any questions that you might have. That will make it easy to go over with the dentist and also ensure that you do not forget any aspect. With your questions addressed, you are likely to feel more confident of the procedure.
9. Let Your Dentist Know If You Are Anxious
It is a good idea to confide in your dentist and let him know if the visit is making you anxious. That way the dentist can decide whether you need sedatives.
If you know that you are prone to dental anxiety, you can bring an iPod filled with relaxing music or even a stress ball to get rid of dental anxiety. Dentists often work with patients who are fearful by establishing a gesture, such as raising of hand to indicate that a break is required.
10. Be Honest with the Dentist
Make sure you open up and tell your dentist about your oral hygiene habits. Also make sure you discuss any pain or other concerns that you might have.
Tips for Child’s First Dentist Appointment
Contrary to popular belief that young children do not need to visit the dentist as their milk teeth will in any case fall out, it is recommended that the first dentist appointment is made before the child turns 1 year of age. What you are doing with an early dental visit is also setting the stage for making visiting the dentist a lifelong habit.
Of course, long before the first dental office visit you need to be offering oral care to the child by gently brushing and wiping down the teeth and gums. One of the ways you can keep your baby’s teeth healthy is to never let them go to sleep with juice or milk in a bottle or a sippy cup. Not only does the sugar work on baby teeth, the saliva that helps to rid the teeth of sugars is not as prevalent while the child sleeps.
As far as preparation for the dental appointment with toddlers is concerned, it may work well to read stories to them about dental visits or even indulge in some pretend play about the dental visit.
To sum up
A study has found that more than one-third of Americans do not visit the dentist regularly. Clearly, this is a habit one needs to break. A dentist can help you take care of your oral health before it turns into an emergency.
We provide cutting-edge dental services while maintaining a smile on your face, and building honest and lasting professional relationships. Make first dental appointment with us and smile your way to good oral health! You can also reach us via email at office@dentaloasispleasanton.com or call us on (925) 846-4491.