More than a third of the American population deal with some form of dental anxiety and dental phobias. But, by avoiding the dentist altogether, they are compounding their dental issues and complicating the responsive measures that they will have to take to correct what was at the onset a preventable problem. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is how Benjamin Franklin summed it up. If you simply accept the fact that your dentist is an important part of your health team and whose job is to keep you healthy, you can then make serious strides in a positive direction of looking forward to your next dental visit.
Your First Visit will be Repeated Each and Every Time
The health industry strongly suggest that you visit your dentist every six months. The basic procedures that you can expect start with an examination of your teeth, your gums, and all the soft tissue. They will always perform an oral screening of your tongue, lips, cheeks, and neck looking for any signs of cancer. Next, they will use a small hand tool to probe each tooth looking for any soft enamel that may be indicative of a cavity. Your gums will now be examined looking for any evidence of gum disease. X-rays will document what is going on below the gumline. All these elements are recorded as the dentist builds a history of your oral health. Finally, they will finish with a professional cleaning of your teeth, removing all the damaging plaque. These steps at this appointment will be repeated at every evaluation. What you do at home with your oral hygiene will determine the measures to be taken at your next exam.
Your At-Home Oral Hygiene
Your dentist will also strongly recommend that you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. They will show you proper techniques if beneficial. They will also suggest that you floss at least once a day. These simple daily habits done at home will go a long way in establishing a preventative approach with the condition of your teeth and gums.
Future Dental Visits
If you neglect these simply little habits, you are promoting an environment that is ripe for the development of plaque. Plaque buildup quickly results in dental cavities and gum disease. This now takes your visit from a simple examination and a satisfying cleaning to the removal of a dental cavity or deep scaling and root planing to remove the plaque that is the sole source of the gum disease. Of course, there might be a future visit because of an accident or addressing a broken or missing tooth, but these causes cannot be prevented.
The Value of Your Smile
Your dentist will be proactive in addressing your smile. A very undervalued asset, your smile is essential in the development of your personality, your self-confidence, and your self-esteem. Your dentist might suggest teeth whitening to enhance your smile. Other treatments are possible that you may not even be aware of. Accept your oral health teammate and let them contribute to your overall well-being.