About to attend a teeth cleaning appointment? Whether this is your first visit with a new dentist or you see the same dentist you have for decades, you might still wonder about the right actions to take before you arrive at the office.
During these appointments, a dentist will clean your teeth and evaluate your oral health. But you can improve your experience and make the process go smoothly with some preparation. Read on to find three actions you can take before you leave your house for your routine dental check-up.
What Do I Do Before Arriving for a Routine Dentist Appointment?
Complete Your Usual Oral Hygiene Routine
Your dentist will clean your teeth by scraping away plaque and tartar build-up. They especially target tricky spots in your mouth where your toothbrush cannot reach. But it is still a good idea to adhere to your usual oral hygiene routine before you go to your dentist for this routine appointment.
Brushing your teeth and flossing will get rid of the lingering food particles and plaque that form on your smile during the day. With these residues gone, your dentist can focus on the more stubborn build-up on your teeth, especially between teeth and near your gumline.
However, this pre-appointment regimen will not replace any lax oral care you may have had prior to the day of your appointment. Do not try to double down with harsh brushing and flossing techniques in an effort to get your smile extra clean.
This will not erase any damage to your smile. In fact, this could only serve to irritate your gums and hurt your teeth. Stick to consistent good oral hygiene habits to maximize preventative dental care.
Dress Comfortably
You will likely spend most of your appointment lying back in a dentist’s chair. So in order to ensure you stay comfortable, you should choose an outfit to wear that fits loosely. Tight or elaborate clothing could cause discomfort during your dental work, making your experience at your dentist’s office less pleasant.
Finding ways to feel at ease at the dentist, like picking the right outfit, can help you combat dental fear. Many people feel nervous about going to the dentist. Prepare calming techniques ahead of your visit to alleviate nerves.
Good ideas to stay calm include breathing exercises, bringing music to listen to, or asking a friend to come with you to your appointment. Communicate your feelings to your dentist so that they can work with you to further relieve your tension. The dentist might also recommend sedation dentistry to induce calm sensations with specified medicine.
Bring Your Insurance Card and Any Dental Appliances
Make sure you have everything you need for your appointment before you leave your house. This will avoid confusion at the front desk and any delay in your treatment. The office staff will ask to confirm your dental insurance details, so you should bring your card with you to make sure you have the most updated information.
If you have everyday oral appliances, like removable dentures, bring these to your dentist’s office too. Your dentist will want to examine these devices as well to ensure they function and fit the way they should.