If you follow some kind of oral hygiene routine every day, such as brushing your teeth, flossing, and using mouthwash, you may wonder why you even need to go to the dentist.
Or maybe you’re not so good about practicing oral hygiene. You don’t brush as often as you should. You avoid flossing. You never use mouthwash. Because of all this, you may be scared to go to the dentist.
But whether you have a good oral hygiene routine or not, you should absolutely see a dentist frequently. In fact, the American Dental Association recommends that you visit a dentist every six months. Why? For starters, visiting a dentist on a regular basis is important for maintaining healthy gums and teeth. In between those visits, there’s a lot you can do to keep your mouth healthy but you should absolutely go see a dentist when the time comes.
A visit to the dentist doesn’t have to fill you with dread. Dentists, orthodontists, and hygienists want to help you. They want to help make your mouth as healthy as possible. They have the tools to work on one tooth at a time, scrape off any buildup of plaque and tartar on the surfaces of your teeth, and even floss your teeth.
If you’re someone who’s been avoiding a trip to the dentist for several years because you’re afraid of what will happen, fear not. A trip to the dentist can be easy as pie and again, the dentists are there to help you.
What You Can Expect
So what happens during a dental visit? For starters, a hygienist is going to use different tools to clean your teeth, removing plaque and tartar. When all that’s done, your mouth will be rinsed and your teeth will be polished.
If it’s been a while since you got your teeth x‑rayed, the dentist is going to want to do that too. This way, they can inspect your teeth more closely and give you a heads up on any problems they find. This is one of the biggest benefits of going to the dentist. Even if you’re good about cleaning your teeth at home, you may be dealing with an underlying health issue that you may not be aware of unless you go to a dentist. It’s actually estimated that among adults aged 20 to 64, more than 90% have cavities and 27% have untreated tooth decay.
Have Patience
If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, chances are good that you’re probably in for an extra-long cleaning session with a hygienist. The longer you go between visits, the more tartar will build up on your teeth and around your gum line. There’s no question that sometimes having tartar removed can be uncomfortable but it’s well worth it when you have a cleaner mouth and fresher breath.
You also need to have patience if the dentist finds anything wrong with your gums or teeth. If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, you may be susceptible to things like gingivitis. This is an easily treatable issue and it’s a good thing that you’re going to the dentist so they can let you know what’s going on. They can also offer tips and help you get into a better routine at home to prevent these issues in the future.
If you’re still on the fence and wondering why you should go to a dentist, think about this: are you someone who hides your smile in pictures or refuses to smile? Do you find yourself having to use things like breath mints because you’re self-conscious about the way your breath might smell? Do you have an issue with your teeth such as a cavity or a broken tooth that you don’t know what to do with?
If the answer to any of these questions was yes, these are all absolutely valid reasons to go to the dentist. Whether you need a simple check-up or more advanced cosmetic dentistry to put a crown in place or to remove a cavity, an experienced dentist can get you smiling again and have your mouth feeling clean.
How To Find The Right Dentist
If you’ve finally told yourself that enough is enough and you’re going to go to the dentist, you may wonder how to find the best dentist in your area. Here are some basic tips to help you find the right dental specialist:
- Ask your family, neighbors, co-workers, and friends for recommendations.
- Consult your family doctor.
- Ask your state or local dentistry society.
- Think about where you’re located and look for dentist offices that are close.
More Tips To Find The Right Dentist
The above tips can help you get started on finding a dentistry office and the following tips can help you decide further once you’ve zeroed in on a particular office or two:
Location
When you’re dealing with matters of dentistry, it’s important to find an office that can work with your busy schedule. You need to find out if an office is flexible with appointments. Do they offer morning appointments or might you be able to take evening appointments? Is it easy for you to get to the office to keep your appointments? Ultimately, you want to choose an office that makes sense where you’re not always scrambling across town to get your teeth cleaned.
The Office
Choosing a dentist to go to regularly is an important decision to make. As such, if you’re considering a particular dentistry office, take a look at the office when you visit. If it’s neat and orderly, that tells you the office is serious about cleanliness. If the staff is warm and inviting, that’s a good sign too because it means they make their patients feel comfortable during a time when they may not be comfortable.
Treatment of Patients
Many dentistry practices around the United States offer discounts for new patients on exams and cleanings. If you’re a current patient, some offices will also offer promotions. The best thing you can do when you visit a dentist office is to ask questions. Whether you have a few questions or a dozen questions, you should be able to have them all answered to help you make your choice easier.
Treatment Plans
Whether you need dental implants or just a routine cleaning, you need to ask a dentist’s office about the different treatment options they offer. Find out if the plans are covered in detail so you know exactly what to expect for whatever procedure you need. You also need to find out how many visits a particular treatment may take. If you’ve got a particularly involved procedure you need, you should also be given estimates upfront.
Even if it’s been a few years since you’ve gone, you’re making the right choice by going to a dentist office. No matter what condition your oral health is in, an experienced dentist can clean your mouth, monitor for any lingering tooth and gum issues, and help restore confidence in your smile. So don’t be shy, find a dentist and book an appointment today. Call Comfort Smiles today to learn more about how we can help you with your oral health.
