We understand that in the midst of our busy schedules, dentist appointments move down the to-do list. But, you have taken the first step and made an appointment with us! Whether it’s a first-time visit, or you haven’t have a dental checkup in a while, you may be wondering how your appointment will go. This is what you can expect with your visit to The Dental Care Center.

Preparation

Come early. Plan to be here at least 15 minutes before your appointment so we can get you checked in and started with any needed paperwork. Plus, some people have anxiety about visiting the dentist; this is a common feeling. Don’t make it more stressful by running late.

If you are a first-time patient, we need your full health history. We have our new patient forms online and encourage you to start filling it out before your visit. If it isn’t your first time, you may need to let us know of any changes or updates to your health. Don’t forget to bring insurance information or a list of medications.

Make a list of questions that you may have for us. It may save you from forgotten questions later. Also, feel free to brush and floss before your visit. But don’t think that your visit will be that much shorter. Your visit with us may be longer than anticipated if you haven’t had a dental checkup in a while. So don’t schedule anything important around your appointment time.

Your Visit

Routine Clean

Regular checkups include a deep cleaning of your teeth. The dentist or dental hygienist will remove any plaque or tartar on your teeth and around your gums. This will reduce your chances of having problems like gum disease, cavities, tooth decay and bad breath. Our cleaning also includes a gritty toothpaste cleaning, floss, and a fluoride treatment.

Exam

We will perform a full examination of your mouth. We check your teeth, gums, tongue, and the roof and sides of your mouth for any early detection of oral disease or other problems.

X-ray

Depending on your age and the condition of your mouth, we may recommend that you have an X-ray. X-rays help us understand your mouth and can detect problems such as impacted teeth, damaged tissue or bones, abscesses, and cysts/tumors that may otherwise not be detected.

Post-Exam

If all goes well and you don’t need any serious work done in the near future, plan on making another visit with us within six months. Now that you have had a successful visit with The Dental Care Center, we hope you get back on a regular schedule with dental checkups. Contact us if you still have any unanswered questions or would like to learn more about our dental practice before making any decisions.