Dental visits are an important component of a comprehensive oral health care routine. Whether your upcoming family dentist appointment is for a regular cleaning and checkup or a more involved procedure, there are a handful of things you can do in advance to prepare.
The most important thing you can do for your dental appointment is to show up, and the following tips will help you to feel prepared when you do.
If your family dentist does not reach out to you for confirmation of your visit, call their office at least a day before the appointment to confirm the time.
Some dentists prefer that you brush and floss your teeth a few hours before your visit. However, others ask that you do not floss so that they can see the areas where the food sticks to your teeth, which can indicate the problem spots where decay may tend to form.
You should be prepared for the procedures that will occur while you sit in the dentist's chair. If you are scheduled for basic cleaning, there is not a lot to do ahead of time, but other procedures may restrict you from eating or drinking for a few hours before your visit, or require you to arrange transportation home from the office. If you are not sure what you are scheduled to have done, call and ask.
If you have any questions or concerns for your family dentist, write them down before you go to your appointment. Having this information in writing will help to ease your anxiety and ensure you do not forget anything important.
If you have an early morning appointment, you might be tempted to drink a cup of coffee, but the jitteriness that accompanies caffeine is not helpful when you are sitting in the dentist's chair. Save the coffee until the visit is finished.
Common courtesy dictates a timely arrival to all appointments, but if you are a new patient you should build in a bit of extra time to get your paperwork filled out.
Your dentist will need a copy of your dental records and your medical history. You will also need to provide the names and dosage of all medications that you take. In addition, you will have to provide payment, so be sure you bring along your insurance card.
Your family dentist is trained to address dental-related fears and anxiety, so be honest about your concerns. You should also be upfront about your habits with daily dental care and any pain or discomfort you may be experiencing. All of this information will help your dental professional to provide you with the most effective checkup possible.
Preparing for an appointment with your family dentist will maximize the benefits that you receive from the visit and ease your anxiety by making you feel prepared. Before you leave the dentist's office, schedule your next appointment and start preparing early for another successful visit.
Request an appointment here: https://smilesonbalboa.com or call Smiles On Balboa at (415) 413-2237 for an appointment in our San Francisco office.
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