admin
Nov 03, 2023
Visiting a dentist is like living through the worst nightmare for some people. The anxiety of undergoing painful treatments can make them avoid booking an appointment for as long as possible.
Consequently, they do not consider getting their teeth examined until there is a dental emergency or severe pain. However, it can prove to be harmful to your teeth and gums. It is crucial to visit your dentist in Hope Island every six months to get the problems fixed on time.
Those who visit the dentist for the first time or after several years have various apprehensions. It can be challenging to deal with the tension before and during the appointment.
However, if you prepare mentally for the visit, you can stay calm. Here is what you can expect at your first dental appointment. It will help you get ready for the drill and make it a habit to visit your dentist regularly.
What Happens At the First Dental Appointment?
Here is how the sequence of events unfolds after you have booked your first dental appointment.
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Complete Necessary Requirements
When you arrive at the dental clinic, you will be asked by the staff to fill out the patient’s form. It will include questions about your general health, current medications, current dental problems and past dental history. The information will be stored in the practitioner’s database to keep a record of your history.
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Undergo A Dental X-Ray
The staff members will then take you for a digital dental x-ray to identify the hidden dental problems like cavities, gum disease, bone loss and tumours. The report will be given to your dentist in Hope Island for review. They will read the form and check the x-ray before the examination.
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Get Examined by the Dentist
Since you will be meeting the dentist for the first time, it is important to exchange pleasantries to break the ice. Be honest about your condition without worrying about the diagnosis.
The practitioner will listen to you and then ask you to lean back on the chair and open your mouth for the examination. They will use a mouth mirror and dental explorer to have a closer look at the affected tooth if you are in pain.
If you have cavities, they will perform tooth filling. If it is a deep cavity, they will suggest root canal treatment. It requires 2-3 appointments and is an invasive procedure. They will suggest starting it immediately to prevent further damage and stop the surrounding teeth from getting infected.
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Tooth Scaling and Polishing
Most people who visit the dentist after a long period or for the first time have plaque build-up and tartar (hardened plaque on teeth) that needs to be removed. Thus, your dentist in Hope Island will perform tooth scaling to get rid of the deposits.
It can be slightly discomforting but manageable. It is essential to clean the plaque to avoid the occurrence of cavities using an ultrasonic scaler. If you are unable to bear the sensation, you can ask the dentist to manage pain with the help of a topical numbing agent that creates numbness in the gums.
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Fluoride Treatment For Strong Teeth
If you do not have any tooth troubles, your dentist in Hope Island will recommend fluoride treatment. It is used to strengthen the tooth enamel and keep cavities at bay. It involves the application of fluoride gel, varnish or rinse on the teeth with a brush, swab or mouthwash.
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General Dental Hygiene Instructions
After the cleaning and fluoride treatment, the practitioner will inform you about the dos and don’ts. For example, you must not eat or drink anything 30 minutes after the procedure.
They will also tell you about the proper dental health routine, which involves brushing twice and flossing once a day. You can ask questions about the right brushing technique and the best toothpaste and toothbrush. Lastly, they will inform you about the next appointment and the payment procedure.
Overcoming Anxiety Before First Dental Appointment
It is crucial to understand that dentists are medical practitioners who are experts in their field. There is no need to feel anxious in their presence or getting your teeth examined.
Simple dental procedures like cleaning or scaling do not involve pain and can be completed quickly. Invasive procedures like root canals and tooth extraction are done after the administration of local anaesthesia to numb the affected area.
Thus, keep your fears aside and book an appointment to improve your dental health. However, if you cannot overcome the jitters before the first appointment, you must be honest with your dentist in Hope Island.
Inform them about your anxiety, and they will suggest ways of making you feel comfortable in the chair. Many practitioners use happy gas or nitrous oxide sedation to calm their nervous patients.
It is inhaled through a mask fitted over the nose and makes the patient relaxed. It can even be administered to children because it has no side effects, and its impact subsides quickly after removing the mask.
Wrapping Up
First dental appointments can be scary if you are not ready. However, if you know how things will proceed, you will feel comfortable and prepared for the procedure. So, stop avoiding the necessary treatment and book your appointment right away.
