Dentists - Common Concerns Patients Have
Visiting the dentist is not always something you look forward to, but dentists provide a vital service that can help keep your smile beautiful and healthy for years to come.
Here are some of the concerns patients express about visiting the dentist, and answers to help calm your thoughts about your next dental checkup.
What Will It Cost? Many people avoid visiting dentists because they are worried about the cost.
It's not always common for health insurance programs to include dental care at an affordable rate, so this is a very real concern.
The truth is, however, that waiting to get dental care because of the cost almost always means it will cost more.
To help battle this concern, talk to your dentist.
He will likely know approximately how much the treatment or checkup will cost, and he may be able to work out a payment plan with you.
He may also offer options like discount programs you can purchase to lower the treatment cost.
Will It Hurt? Some dental procedures do cause a little pain.
If you are worried about pain, talk to your dentist before you go about what to expect.
Dentists know what procedures will be painful and what procedures will not, so you can expect an honest answer to this question.
If the procedure may cause pain and you wish to avoid this, talk about pain relief measures the dentist can take.
Can I Be Sedated? Sedation dentistry is a valid option if you cannot get over your fear of dentists, so feel free to ask about this.
If your dentist doesn't offer it and you are certain it will help you manage the fear about your appointment, you can look for a new dentist who does offer it.
How Safe Is the Procedure? Your dentist will take precautions to keep you safe form problems like infection while you are in the clinic.
He will wear gloves and a facemask and will sterilize all instruments that are used on his patients.
Most dental professionals will opt for single-use disposable equipment whenever possible.
As for procedures themselves, you will need to ask your dentist specifically about the procedure you plan to have, as each procedure carries its own unique risks.
My teeth are sensitive.
Will this create a problem? Sensitive teeth may be sensitive to some of the treatments used at the dental office.
Be sure you tell your dentist about your sensitive teeth, especially if they are particularly sensitive to temperature.
Your dentist can recommend a specific type of toothpaste to help cut down on the sensitivity.
I haven't been to the dentist in several years.
Will my mouth be in bad shape? The answer to this question will only be known after your appointment.
Truthfully, you are at greater risk for having more complications in your mouth than someone who had their appointments every six months.
However, if you have maintained good oral health on your own, including brushing and flossing, you may be happily surprised to learn that you have few problems that a routine cleaning cannot fix.
To avoid developing further problems, get to one of your local dentists right away for your next checkup.
Here are some of the concerns patients express about visiting the dentist, and answers to help calm your thoughts about your next dental checkup.
What Will It Cost? Many people avoid visiting dentists because they are worried about the cost.
It's not always common for health insurance programs to include dental care at an affordable rate, so this is a very real concern.
The truth is, however, that waiting to get dental care because of the cost almost always means it will cost more.
To help battle this concern, talk to your dentist.
He will likely know approximately how much the treatment or checkup will cost, and he may be able to work out a payment plan with you.
He may also offer options like discount programs you can purchase to lower the treatment cost.
Will It Hurt? Some dental procedures do cause a little pain.
If you are worried about pain, talk to your dentist before you go about what to expect.
Dentists know what procedures will be painful and what procedures will not, so you can expect an honest answer to this question.
If the procedure may cause pain and you wish to avoid this, talk about pain relief measures the dentist can take.
Can I Be Sedated? Sedation dentistry is a valid option if you cannot get over your fear of dentists, so feel free to ask about this.
If your dentist doesn't offer it and you are certain it will help you manage the fear about your appointment, you can look for a new dentist who does offer it.
How Safe Is the Procedure? Your dentist will take precautions to keep you safe form problems like infection while you are in the clinic.
He will wear gloves and a facemask and will sterilize all instruments that are used on his patients.
Most dental professionals will opt for single-use disposable equipment whenever possible.
As for procedures themselves, you will need to ask your dentist specifically about the procedure you plan to have, as each procedure carries its own unique risks.
My teeth are sensitive.
Will this create a problem? Sensitive teeth may be sensitive to some of the treatments used at the dental office.
Be sure you tell your dentist about your sensitive teeth, especially if they are particularly sensitive to temperature.
Your dentist can recommend a specific type of toothpaste to help cut down on the sensitivity.
I haven't been to the dentist in several years.
Will my mouth be in bad shape? The answer to this question will only be known after your appointment.
Truthfully, you are at greater risk for having more complications in your mouth than someone who had their appointments every six months.
However, if you have maintained good oral health on your own, including brushing and flossing, you may be happily surprised to learn that you have few problems that a routine cleaning cannot fix.
To avoid developing further problems, get to one of your local dentists right away for your next checkup.
