What Should You Expect at a Regular Dental Visit?
Dental anxiety is pretty common, but visiting the dentist doesn’t need to spark anxiety or fear. Establishing healthy habits related to the dentist can help keep anxiety to a minimum, and understanding what to expect at your dental visit can also help. The goal for most dentists is to help make patients as comfortable as possible, which eases the stress associated with dental visits and assists in establishing a healthy oral health routine. In some cases, dentists can offer distractions, like music or television, and they can also provide modifications or sedation for long or challenging dental procedures. For regular dental visits, having a sense of what to expect can help you manage anxiety and create a proactive plan.
Before You See the Dentist
- Make sure to schedule enough time so that you don’t feel rushed at your dentist visit. Ask the scheduler how long your appointment should take, and schedule your appointment with some time cushioning so it doesn’t stress you out. If you’re concerned about it taking too long, see if you can schedule for the end of the day so you can go directly home afterward.
- Check with your dental insurance provider to make sure your dentist is in-network and to learn whether you’ll have a co-pay. If you don’t have dental insurance, ask the scheduler how much you’ll be paying for service.
At the Dentist’s Office
- After you’re called back from the waiting room, you’ll meet with a dental hygienist. This dental hygienist will clip a protective cloth to your chest, and they may also provide eye protection. Then, they will use specialized tools, including a small handheld mirror, to scrape tartar, stains, and buildup off the surfaces of your teeth, one tooth at a time. If you find your jaw is getting tense or tired, ask to take a break; you can rest as you need to. After the teeth are cleaned, your dental hygienist will floss your teeth, and then you’ll rinse your mouth out before the hygienist polished the teeth with a spinning polishing tool and prophylaxis polishing paste. Then, you’ll rinse your mouth out again.
- If you’re due for a dental x-ray, your dental hygienist will prepare you for an x-ray before taking a few different images of your mouth and teeth.
- After cleaning, the dental hygienist invites the dentist in for a comprehensive exam. During this exam, the dentist assesses each tooth and measures for gaps between the gums and teeth, using a periodontal probe, while the hygienist records notes in your dental chart. Then, the dentist will review how things are looking and discuss any followup plans.
After You See the Dentist
- If you’re required to pay a co-pay, do so, or otherwise discuss payment or a payment plan with the dentist’s office staff.
- Your gums or teeth might feel a little sore, which can be relieved with over-the-counter pain medications.
- Be sure to schedule any recommended treatments, whether it’s to fill a cavity discovered in your checkup or to treat any existing infection or inflammation.
- Call your dentist if any issues arise, like tooth pain or unusual swelling, between dental visits.
- If your mouth and teeth are healthy, schedule your next dental checkup for 6 months out. If your dentist found gum disease or any other concerns during your checkup, follow their recommendation for consultation with other dental experts and for rescheduling.
- Enjoy the clean, fresh feeling that comes with a professional teeth cleaning, and do your part to maintain this clean slate by brushing twice daily and flossing daily. The more diligent you are with daily oral hygiene, the easier your next dentist visit will be!