Going to the dentist can be a stressful and often uncomfortable time, especially if you have to drag your young children in for their appointments as well, but it is something that we all have to do, if we want to keep our healthy, happy teeth. Here, John H. Roderick of www.omniadental.co.uk discusses some of the most common issues to be aware of as a patient attending an appointment.
It is important to remember that your dentist is a person too and they get upset and worried if you find the visit stressful! So try to speak out if you are uncomfortable and most dentists will do what they can to help alleviate your stress.
However there are also a few things that you yourself can do before attending your appointment that will help make the visit less stressful for everyone! We all know from attending dentists’ appointments with our parents, that we tend to brush our teeth before the appointment, but why do this? And what else can we do to make the visit easier?
Alert your Dentist to Coughs and Colds
Just like you wouldn’t take your child to the nursery if he or she were covered in chicken pox, it is more than just a courtesy to let your dentist know in advance if you have recently caught a heavy cough or cold, particularly if it is very mucusy! Dentists like to have a little bit of warning and they might want to re-schedule you if the cold appears too serious.
Failing to do this can lead to the dentist wasting both yours and their time if they refuse to see you on your appointment due to a cough or a cold. Plus, there is no use lying about it when you’re sitting in the chair coughing like a steam train!
Chew xylitol Gum
Xylitol is a sweetener that replaces sugar in many sugar free gums. Dentists will recommend gum chewing on occasion and they will always recommend a gum that contains xylitol. With 40% fewer calories than sucrose, xylitol is diabetic friendly and found in the fibres of fruits and vegetables and even produced by our own bodies in small quantities.
By chewing xylitol gum you can help rid the mouth of sticky and harmful bacteria while promoting the growth of tooth-protective, non-acidic bacteria. The harmful plaque bacteria absorb the xylitol and then cannot multiply or stick to the teeth, rendering their tooth-eating acid useless. Xylitol also helps to balance the mouth’s PH, leading to encourage the mouth to repair deep layers of enamel. Good stuff!
Avoid the Smelly Lunch!
No garlic or fish please! Although you may have brushed your teeth and washed it out with mouthwash thoroughly, chances are there may still be a few pieces stuck between your gums and garlic sticks for a good few days or so! It is really not pleasant having to clean between the teeth while garlic or fish seeps out in between breaths.
Brush your Teeth (No Really)
This one is a total no-brainer, but you’d be surprised by how many people get this wrong. The important part is not to go all out brushing your teeth; this will just leave your teeth and gums sensitive to the dentists probing, which will not be a pleasant experience.
All you need to do is gently brush and floss the teeth, getting rid of any loose food before the dentist. They will perform a routine clean of your teeth anyway and the brushing is more of a courtesy than anything else. Plus, it is highly unlikely that a few days of rigorous scrubbing and mouth washing will make any change if you’re not cleaning with such vivacity every day, so there is no use trying to fool your dentist!
Remember to take your Diary!
You will always want to book a follow up appointment at the end of your previous session, to avoid extra work later, so why not take your diary or dates book with you to the current appointment? The receptionist will be able to give you an available date for your next appointment which you can then easily pencil in then and there. Simple!
Whether you’re a thrice-a-day brusher, an oops-I-forgot-er or you’re paranoid about flossing and mouthwash, at the end of the day, the dentist is important. Remember that your dentist is human and don’t stress too much about the visit, after all, everyone has to do it!