What to Expect from Your First Dental Appointment

A visit to the dentist isn’t everyone’s favorite thing to do. For some reason, people tend to avoid it as much as possible, but at the end of the day, regular dental check-ups are important to maintaining your health and wellness. For those who have never been to the dentist before, it can feel intimidating. To help combat some of that fear and anxiety surrounding your first dental appointment, we’ve created a guide to help you know what to expect!

Why Regular Dental Visits Are Important

To begin, it’s important to understand why seeing a dentist is such a big deal. Regular check-ups and cleaning aim to:

• Prevent tooth decay (cavities)
• Prevent gum disease
• Screen for oral cancer
• Screen for airway health
• Keep teeth looking great and feeling strong
• Keep your oral hygiene in check

Because you can’t see certain signs on your own, visiting your dentist can help prevent or minimize issues and assure you that your current oral hygiene routine is working!

Before Your Appointment: How to Prepare

You want to make sure you have everything you need before you walk into your first dental appointment. You’ll want to bring:

• Identification
• Insurance information (if applicable)
• List of current medications

From there, you will likely be asked a few questions. It’s always good to be aware of your family’s health history, as there are many links between dental health and overall health. Answering these questions helps give dentists an idea of what to be on the lookout for, depending on your family history. 

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It can feel overwhelming to do something for the first time, and going to the dentist can feel vulnerable. If you feel anxiety leading up to your visit, try calling the office ahead of time to discuss anything that might be causing you fear. We work with many patients who experience anxiety, and we always find ways to help make the process clear and simple for you. 

What to Expect Upon Arrival

Once you get to your appointment, it all becomes very simple! Begin with checking in with the receptionist. The receptionist present will help guide you through the process, asking for the necessary information and guiding you on what to do next. From there, you can relax in the waiting room until you are called into the office.

The Initial Check-Up: What Happens First

A dental check-up always begins with meeting your dentist. Once you feel comfortable and acquainted, it’s time to start with an examination. An examination aims to reveal any areas of concern within the mouth. It might begin with flashing a toothy grin at your dentist and eventually will involve an x-ray that will help rule out any cavities. 

Understanding Dental Cleaning

Either before or after your examination, you’ll receive a dental cleaning. For most people, this is the best part! Your teeth will feel cleaner than ever once you’ve finished. 

The dental cleaning process is as follows:

• Scaling- removes all the plaque around your teeth and gums
• Root Planing- this goes one step further than scaling, removing the plaque and buildup from the root of your teeth
• Polishing- this will give the surface of your teeth a deep cleaning, lifting stains and creating a smoother surface on each tooth

After Your Cleaning: Next Steps

Once you’ve made it through the dental cleaning, you’ll get the chance to discuss the dentist’s findings and any treatment plans in the event of a cavity or other issue. Whether or not you have any treatment needs, you’ll be brought to the receptionist to schedule your next appointment to keep your teeth happy and healthy!

No Need to Worry!

Your first dental appointment might seem scary to start, but a visit to the dentist is almost like a simple wellness check. The aim at Apple Tree Dental is to ensure that your current oral hygiene routine is working to combat cavities, and to give you a nice cleaning that will leave you grinning from ear to ear! If you have questions or concerns about your upcoming dental check-up, please feel free to contact us. 

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