Haven’t Been to the Dentist in a While? Here’s What to Expect              

The American Dental Association recommends visiting the dentist once every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning to maintain healthy teeth and gums. However, the business of life, dental fear and anxiety, and other barriers to seeking care can arise that can stretch those visits out to once every year, or even several years. Read on to learn what you can expect at your first visit to your dentist if you haven’t been in a while.

What Will Happen During Your Appointment?

What happens during your visit will largely depend on why you scheduled it. If worsening dental pain has encouraged you to call up your dental office for an examination, you can expect your dental team to ask about your symptoms and take necessary X-rays. Based on your dentist’s findings, they will present you with treatment recommendations to help get you out of pain and preserve your oral health.

If you muster up the will to call your dentist and schedule a checkup and cleaning, you can expect a more comprehensive visit. Although this may sound daunting, these regular appointments are a great way to build more comfort and trust with your dental team, ultimately helping you feel more confident and at-ease whenever you visit the dental office. During this visit, you will receive a more thorough examination from your dentist, as well as have routine X-rays taken. Depending on the state of your smile, you may require a deep cleaning, which may need to be scheduled in a separate visit. However, if you don’t, your dental hygienist will clean your teeth during your visit.  

If You Have Dental Phobia, Can You Request Sedation?

If you have dental fear or anxiety, let your dental office know when you call to schedule your appointment! That way, they can take steps to ensure you have a more pleasant experience, like by taking the visit extra slow and checking in with you along the way. They may also recommend either in-office nitrous oxide sedation or oral conscious sedation, which is provided before the appointment. Both of these options can put you in a calmer, more comfortable headspace so you can enjoy a positive visit.

The Importance of Keeping Up-to-Date with Routine Dental Visits

While it may be difficult to stay up-to-date with your routine checkups and cleanings if you suffer from dental phobia, by scheduling these preventive appointments, you can prevent the need for more serious dental interventions down the road. Small issues that pop up, like cavities, can easily be treated with minimally invasive tooth-colored fillings, while larger, more progressed problems that stem from these issues, like tooth infections, require more extensive intervention.

If you’re unsure about what to expect during your first dental visit in over six months, or even several years, speaking with your dental team may be just what you need to soothe your nerves. A compassionate and caring team will work to create an environment that you feel safe in, whether that’s by administering sedation during your dental cleaning or adjusting their routine to make sure that you’re comfortable along every step of the way!

About the Author

Dr. Arrechea has over 20 years of experience in the dental field and has helped thousands of patients who suffer from dental phobia have a great experience. She has experience treating patients of all different backgrounds and experiences and is proud to offer personalized, compassionate, and patient-focused care, as well as sedation dentistry. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit Daily Smiles Dental Dallas’ website or call 214-624-6221.