How To Prepare For Your Dental Hygiene Visit

To put it simply, life has presented us with a unique few months. Many of us are still struggling with getting a grip on how to identify and re-establish a “normal” routine, nevermind becoming reacquainted with all of the other personal responsibilities and appointments we’ve grown accustomed to over time. So we can only imagine that the last thing on your mind is how you can prepare for your dental hygiene visit. 

The good news is, we’ve developed a checklist that not only outlines HOW you can prepare, but also WHY keeping up with these visits is so beneficial to your overall dental health. 

The How:

• Just breathe: We understand that you may have some fears about coming in, but we’re here to make sure you feel calm before, during and after your visit. If you have questions or concerns, call us to talk about them rather than letting your thoughts fester until the day of your appointment.
• Practice & maintain consistent oral hygiene: Remember to brush your teeth twice each day and to incorporate flossing into your daily routine. We understand that flossing is often an afterthought and typically something many people try to cram in the days leading up to a visit, but do your best to floss once a day. Maybe even celebrate this mini victory with the infamous flossing dance! In addition to brushing and flossing, remember to rinse. Rinsing not only keeps your mouth feeling fresh, but it will also help to prevent plaque-causing bacteria from forming.
• Communicate & prepare: If you have any medical updates to provide us with, make sure you have access to the necessary documents and paperwork so that we can ensure your visit operates as smoothly as possible. Illnesses can impact dental health so we want to make sure we have all relevant information handy before starting your treatment.
• Smile: Stay positive! By setting up your routine visits, you’re taking control of your own oral health and you should be proud of that. We realize that everyone perceives this experience differently, but if you remain optimistic and trust that we’ll do everything we can to have you come out smiling when all is said and done, then you might even look forward to seeing us again in 6 months.

The Why:

• To keep your mouth clean: While this may seem quite obvious, dentists have access to tools and equipment that can more closely monitor the activity taking place in your mouth. Sure, you may brush twice a day and floss daily, but you still need a trained professional to check the status of your dental health to ensure everything is in order.
• To keep your gums in good shape: Gingivitis is real, but it doesn’t have to be YOUR reality. It’s caused by tartar that requires more than a basic brush and floss. Yes, these techniques can help to manage the buildup, especially if you use a tartar-control fluoride toothpaste, but bi-annual dental hygiene visits will ensure you get the professional care that you need in order to combat gum disease. 
• To detect & prevent oral and other health issues: Visiting your dentist can help to provide you with early screenings for oral cancers. Your regular visits can also extend beyond dental health concerns, and function to detect signs of cardiovascular disease. (via gingivitis and other bacterial health issues).
• To save you money: Sure, dental treatment can be expensive but that is often the case when you’ve waited too long to deal with a lingering problem or get a proper diagnosis. Regular dental hygiene visits can mean identifying cavities, loose or cracked fillings, and other issues on the earlier side resulting in less of a cost to you. 

If you have any questions at all about how to prepare for your visit or would like to discuss a dental health issue you’re experiencing, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re all in this together and our mission is to ensure you get the professional care that you need, when you need it.

Bookmark our helpful reference for when your return to the dentist is back on the books!