Is your summer schedule jam-packed with to-dos? Are you trying to squeeze in your dental checkup on your lunch break? Maybe you simply want your visit to go smoother than last time. Whatever the case may be, there is some good news: there are a few best practices that will help make your appointment hassle-free. To learn what they are, read on!
DO: Arrive Early
The last thing you want is to get caught in traffic or feel stressed on your way to your dental visit. While you can’t prevent the number of red lights you run into, you can do your best to arrive early for your appointment. That way, you have plenty of time to fill out any necessary paperwork, get the payment information sorted out, and get settled into the treatment chair.
DON’T: Go to the Gym Right Before Your Appointment
From improved brain health to weight management, working out comes with a number of benefits. Unfortunately, working up a sweat right before your appointment isn’t ideal. After all, you don’t want to be sticking to the chair as your dental team works on your teeth!
DO: Bring Your Phone or iPad
Nowadays, the majority of dental offices have TVs in each room, ensuring you don’t have to stare at the ceiling during your appointment. However, it’s still a good idea to bring your phone or iPad with some music or a TV show you love. That way, you can use your visit to listen to or watch what you want!
DON’T: Lie About Your At-Home Oral Hygiene Routine
When your dentist asks how often you floss, you may be tempted to tell a white lie. However, it’s best to be completely honest with your dentist about your at-home oral hygiene regimen. That way, they can provide you with specific tips and recommendations to help.
DO: Ask Questions
To keep your teeth and gums in pristine condition, it’s crucial that you play an active role in your routine checkups and cleanings. Throughout your appointment, you can ask questions like “Is there anything I should be doing to help prevent cavities?” You can even come with a list of questions on a notepad or in your phone to ensure you’re confident in how to keep your oral health in pristine condition from home.
DON’T: Put Off Any Recommended Treatment
At the end of your dental checkup, your dentist may recommend a treatment, like a filling to address a small cavity. Don’t wait to schedule restorative care like this! Postponing your treatment will allow the root of the problem to progress, damaging your teeth and gums in the process.
Dental checkups and cleanings are crucial to your oral health. Don’t worry – that doesn’t mean these appointments need to be time-consuming and stressful. In fact, by keeping the above dos and don’ts in mind, they won’t be!
About the Practice
Biannual checkups and cleanings are an important part of any solid oral hygiene regimen, which is why our team at University Dental Group goes above and beyond to make these visits as smooth and stress-free as possible. Plus, we offer early morning, evening, and lunchtime hours to make scheduling your appointments as convenient as possible. If you’re overdue for your six-month dental checkup or have a question about your oral health, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment via our website or by phone at (508) 753-1911.