Top 6 Things That You Should Expect on Your New Dental Appointment

Visiting a new dental clinic for the first time can be quite an overwhelming experience for many people. Research has shown that 15% of Americans do not see a dental practitioner because of anxiety and fear. Knowing what you should expect from your first consultation can help to eliminate all the fears that you may have. Here are five things that you should expect from your new dental appointment.

Recording of details

At your first appointment, you will meet the receptionist who will first register you as a new patient. You may be required to fill out a short questionnaire regarding your dental health. The receptionist should make you feel welcome and he/she should answer all the questions that you may have regarding treatment or even payment.

Evaluation of your oral health

During your initial appointment, your dental practitioner will evaluate your dental health. This is usually a painless and simple procedure that will usually take at least five minutes. The dental expert will inspect your teeth, gums, and mouth, and he will ask you whether you have experienced any dental problems recently. This initial evaluation is crucial especially for individuals who have not seen a dentist for a long time.

Check your fillings and teeth

Your Dentist Arlington residents trust will count your teeth and check any fillings that you may have. The medical expert will use a dental instrument to take measurements of the spaces between your teeth and gums. A dental assistant may be there to note down everything the dentist finds, a procedure that is known as dental charting. This dental chart will be an important part of your dental records and your dentist may keep referring to this information whenever you have dental appointments in the future. An experienced dentist will ensure that you are comfortable during this entire process and he/she will check your jaw and bite for any problems. They will also offer you tips to help you take care of your teeth.

Dental x-rays

The dentist can also take x-rays of your teeth. This will help to identify oral health problems that may not be easily detected during the initial assessment. Dentists will use x-rays to check for cavities, oral infections, gum disease, or oral tumors. This makes x-rays a crucial part of your dental care regimen. X-rays will take a few minutes, and you will feel no pain.

Cleaning

After a dental exam, your dentist may recommend dental prophylaxis or cleaning. This is usually done after every six months. Dental cleaning is essential for maintaining and achieving optimal oral health. During the cleaning process, a dental hygienist will use special instruments to scale or remove any accumulated dental plaque on your teeth. He/she will also use a special polishing paste to polish your teeth.

Payment and future scheduling

After the appointment, you will meet the administrative staff to make payments and schedule your dental cleaning or other recommended procedures in your treatment plan. If you have dental insurance, the staff at the clinic will determine whether your treatment is fully or partially covered by the insurer.

Dental appointments are important if you want to maintain optimal oral health. However, for you to get the best dental treatment, you need to find the right dentist. Make sure that you get recommendations and carry out detailed background checks to find the best dentist in your locality.