Easy Exam: 3 Helpful Tips for Your Next Dental Checkup

If you’ve ever avoided visiting your dentist because of anxiety, you’re not alone. An estimated 36% of Americans have a fear of dental treatments, and in extreme cases, it can keep you from getting the care you need. It’s important to get routine checkups so that if there are any areas of concern, they can be identified and addressed before they progress. If you’re overly nervous, however, you might skip standard appointments, leaving your smile vulnerable to injury, disease, or decay.

Understanding more about what to expect from your next checkup can provide some much-needed peace of mind to help get you through it. Keep reading to learn 3 tips that will help you pass your next dental exam with flying colors!

Tip #1: Don’t Eat Right Before Your Appointment

If you’ve scheduled your dental checkup for first thing in the morning, you might want to wait until afterward to have breakfast. Although your provider doesn’t expect your mouth to be completely pristine, you may want to wait until afterward to have breakfast because you could show up with leftovers in your teeth. Your hygienist will be giving them a professional cleaning, and there’s less work for them if your mouth isn’t covered in fresh food.

Tip #2: Arrive On Time

Chances are that you’re not your dentist’s only patient- they probably have a full roster to contend with on any given day. They’re happy to give you their undivided attention during your examination, but they must stick to a schedule to accommodate everyone. Arriving on time shows them that you value and respect their presence and expertise, which will set a positive tone for the rest of your visit.

Tip #3: Communicate Clearly

One of the benefits of seeing your dentist every six months for a routine appointment is that it allows them to monitor your dental health. That way, if any issues arise, they can spot them quickly and create treatment plans that are individualized to your unique needs. If you haven’t seen them in a while, they’ll gather information about your medical and dental history to establish a baseline. This is the perfect time to ask any questions or bring up concerns you might have about your dental condition or at-home hygiene habits. The more open and honest you are, the better your dentist can help you meet any goals you have for your smile.

Whatever shape your grin is in, it’s better to have a checkup and address any possible problems than avoid another visit and leave them untreated!

About the Author

Dr. Mark Stapleton has almost 20 years of experience providing a full range of services to help people improve their dental health. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of St. Thomas and then achieved his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Since then, he has continued his education with ongoing courses at Spear Education and Dawson Academy. Now, he combines a welcoming environment with state-of-the-art technology to enhance patient comfort while producing more accurate results. If you need a checkup, you can request an appointment on the website or call (952) 448-2868.