Visiting a dentist for the first time can be quite daunting, and it helps if you are already aware of what awaits you. This ensures that you are already prepared for the ordeal that you would have to face. The first thing that you need to ensure is that the dentist you select for your consultation is one you are comfortable with. Endeavor to know a bit about your dentist and try to build a rapport with them before you get any work done. This will put you at ease and ensure that you do not end up with cold feet at the prospect of dealing with them.
It is important to understand that teeth care is not about brushing alone. Complete oral care requires a lot more from you, one of which is regular dental checkups. You should also seek professional cleaning of your teeth from time to time. Once you manage to find the right dentist, you should make an appointment with them.
Things to expect
When you visit a dentist for the first time, there are a few things that are done by nearly all the dentists, and it is these things that we are going to share with you.
The first thing that a dentist would do is seek a complete and detailed health history. Most people tend to have the misconception that dentists are only concerned about oral health. What they fail to realize is that the health of the rest of the body also influences the oral condition and vice versa. Thus, your dentist would endeavor to know about your general state of health the first time you visit them. If there is a change in your health on subsequent visits, you should make it a point to notify your dentist.
Once your history has been taken, the dentist would proceed to perform a thorough cleaning of your teeth. They or their assistant will remove any plaque and tartar which might be present and can cause oral conditions such as gum diseases and cavities among other things. They would then floss your teeth.
Once the cleaning is done, they would perform a complete dental examination. This includes an examination of your oral cavity and gums. They would look to ensure that there are no other problems present.
An x-ray is then performed for the diagnosis of any issue that might have escaped attention.
Put your doubts to rest
If you want to ensure that you are not traumatized by your dental visit, you should ensure that you first make an appointment with them to lay all your doubts to rest so that you can visit them without any worries. Being comfortable in the presence of your dentist is rather important. Therefore, ensure that you are careful while selecting your dentist. Adequate research would be required for the purpose.