You probably already know that brushing and flossing twice daily is an essential part of proper preventative dental care. It ensures that any plaque or bacteria buildup is consistently removed, so you’re less likely to develop issues like cavities or gum disease.
However, if you’re not also visiting your dentist every six months for a routine checkup, then you could put your oral health at risk. They can find issues that you might miss and address them before they progress into anything worse. If it’s been a while since your last standard appointment, keep reading to learn 4 tips to help get you through it!
Tip #1: Arrive on Time
You probably aren’t the only patient that your provider will be seeing the day of your visit, and you can set the tone for your entire experience by arriving when you’re supposed to (or even a few minutes early). This shows your dentist and their team that you value their time, respect their experience, and appreciate their services. Arriving on time can get you and your provider started off on the right foot!
Tip #2: Be Clean
Some sources recommend that you thoroughly brush your teeth before a dental appointment, while others say this can camouflage problem areas that your dentist needs to know about (like chronic bad breath, for example). Either way, you probably don’t want to show up with bits of food stuck in your teeth. Gently brushing them first thing in the morning is probably fine, but if you’re scheduled to be there early in the morning, you might want to wait to have breakfast until afterward. Also, avoid strenuous exercise immediately beforehand so you don’t arrive covered in smelly sweat!
Tip #3: Silence Your Phone
A surprising number of patients chat or text on the phone throughout their dental checkups, which only makes things difficult for their dentist. It’s hard to thoroughly examine or clean someone’s teeth while they’re actively engaged in a conversation on their cell. Silencing your phone for the duration of your appointment allows your dentist to work quickly and more efficiently. Plus, it’s considered more polite.
Tip #4: Communicate Clearly
During your visit, your dentist will ask questions about any recent changes to your medical history, prescriptions, or supplements to update your records. It’s important that you be as clear and honest about your condition as possible, so they get a true idea of your overall condition. This is also a great time to bring up any questions or concerns you might have about any symptoms you’re experiencing or how to improve your at-home dental hygiene routine. The more open you are, the better your dentist can provide individualized treatments to meet your unique needs.
By taking a few proactive precautions, you’re more likely to have a stress-free experience during your next dental checkup!
About the Author
Dr. Vidya Kukkundur has 13+ years of experience providing a full range of treatments to help families enhance their lives by improving their oral health. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery at the New York University College of Dentistry and is currently a member of several professional organizations, including the American Dental Association. With her, you can trust that your smile is in good hands. She respects your time and promises never to over- or double-book appointments, so you always receive prompt service. Then, she combines a friendly environment with state-of-the-art equipment to increase your comfort and improve result accuracy. You can request a routine checkup on the website or by calling (856) 596-4333.