Helpful Tips For Going To The Dentist When You Haven't Been In A While

You probably know that you are supposed to go to the dentist regularly. It might have been a while since you've been to the dentist, though. It can be hard to know what to do or expect from your first dental appointment when you haven't been in years, but these tips should help you handle the situation properly.

Choose the Right Dentist

You might not even know which dentist you should go to after not going for a while. It's a good idea to look for a good dentist who has a good reputation. If you have been skipping your dental appointments because of fear or anxiety about dental appointments, it's not a bad idea to consider seeing a sedation dentist. If you think you have serious oral health issues due to not going to the dentist in a while, then you might need to look for one who has experience with similar dental issues.

Be Prepared to Get X-Rays

If you haven't been to the dentist in a while, then you probably don't have any up-to-date X-rays on file anywhere. Your dental care team will need to have X-rays so they can properly assess your oral health and start working on a treatment plan. Therefore, you should expect to have X-rays done; this might be the first thing that will be done when you arrive at your appointment.

Expect a Little More Dental Work

Because it's been a while since you've had your teeth cleaned, a deep cleaning might be needed. Additionally, you might need multiple fillings or other types of dental work. Hopefully, your teeth will not be in bad shape, despite the fact you haven't been to the dentist in a while. However, you should be prepared for a longer appointment, and you might even have to return for a second appointment to have all of the work done.

Commit to Going Regularly

Not going to the dentist for a long time isn't the end of the world, but it isn't the best thing for your oral health, either. Once your dentist has helped with restoring your teeth to their best possible condition, it's a good idea to commit to going to the dentist on a regular basis. Typically, you should go at least a couple of times a year. If you have gum disease, then you might have to go more frequently. Your dentist or dental hygiene can help you with scheduling your next appointment.

For more information, contact a dentist near you.