If you haven’t been to a dentist in years, the main thing to know is that dentists see this situation all the time. You shouldn’t expect judgement – just an assessment of where things stand and a plan to get you back on track.
At Smile Creations Dental’s new-patient information, your first visit will likely include:
1. Medical and dental history review
-Curent medications
-Medical conditions
-Dental concerns, pain, sensitivity, or areas of concern
2. X-Rays
-To check for cavities between teeth, bone loss, infections, or other issues that cannot be seen visually
3. Comprehensive exam
-Examination of your teeth and gums
-Oral cancer screening
-Evaluation of jaw/TMJ issues if needed
-Discussion of any signs of gum disease, decay, cracked teeth, or old dental work that may need attention
4. Cleaning (sometimes same day)
-If your gums are generally healthy, you may receive a routine cleaning at that visit
-If there is significant tartar buildup or gum disease further discussion regarding a deeper periodontal cleaning may be necessary, schedule additional treatment
5. Treatment plan discussion
-The dentist will explain what they found, what needs attention first, and what can wait
-You’ll typically discuss costs, insurance coverage and scheduling before moving forward
A few tips if it’s been a long time since your last dental visit:
-Be honest about how long it’s been
-Mention any anxiety you have
-Write down or mention any symptoms beforehand (bleeding gums, bad breath, sensitivity, broken fillings, etc.)
(Submitted by Beba Drakulovic)
Don’t assume the worst – many problems are easier to treat than people expect. If you’re nervous because it’s been 5, 10, or even 20+ years, that’s actually one of the most common concerns dentists hear from new patients. The appointment is usually much more focused on gathering information and creating a plan than on doing extensive treatment that day.
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