Going Back to the Dentist - Your Questions Answered

It is hammered into children from the time they are very young, and it is almost certain that you’ve heard the same: 'you have to go to the dentist once every six months for a cleaning and a checkup.' Everyone knows this recommended time frame, yet so many people fall away from the Church of Good Oral Health. Why is that? Well, money is often one of the considerations. Sometimes a move can put you out of touch with your old dental office and you simply never remembered to start going to a new one. Sometimes kids grow up and get out on their own, and decide that they don’t need to do the things they’ve always been told to do. Regular dental appointments are important, though, so if you are looking to go back, here are some answers to the questions you might have.

How Has The Dentist Changed?
If you’ve been without a dental appointment in several years, you might be surprised at how much different it is today. As with the field of computers, home entertainment, and virtually every other facet of technology, the dental field has come a long way. That means new treatment methods and tools that take the pain away from many common procedures. That means many offices providing sedation therapy for patients who can’t stand the thought of being lucid during their appointments. And it means a multi-pronged approach designed to make people just like you feel more at ease.

How Much Treatment Will I Need?
Studies have found that avoiding the dentist can become a compound problem. At first, you didn’t go because you were taking care of your teeth and couldn’t really afford the extra treatment. Then, you started having the odd problem here and there. Now, you’re not only embarrassed to tell them how long you’ve been away, but you are afraid of what they might tell you. Money may still be an issue and you don’t want to be told you need thousands of dollars worth of work done. This is a terrible way of thinking about it, however. Remember, you don’t have to get any work done that you don’t want. But isn’t it better to know, at least? You may be surprised at how little is necessary.

Should I Eat First?
Oddly, this seems to be a common concern, especially among people who haven’t been to the dentist in some time. The general consensus is that you should most definitely eat first if you feel like it will keep you from feeling overly hungry or even faint during your appointment. Don’t eat too much, however, if you think you might get nauseous from your nerves.