10 Ridiculously Easy Ways to Prepare for Your First Visit to the Dentist

 Preparing for your first visit to the dentist can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re going in for your regular checkup, make sure you brush twice a day and floss at least once, and if you’re looking to go under the drill (or pick up some braces), here are 10 simple ways to prepare yourself for what might be in store.

Brush your teeth

Brushing is a no-brainer, but it's important. When you have your teeth cleaned, your dentist will get an eye-popping view of all the gunk that resides on your teeth. If you've been in between cleanings and are going in for a checkup or new patient exam, you’ll want to make sure your pearly whites are spick and span. Not only do regular cleanings give you fresh breath and help prevent cavities, they can keep gingivitis at bay too. Since plaque can harden around braces orthodontics over time (brace face), keeping up with brushing—and flossing—will also help protect them from getting brittle or damaged.

Floss your teeth

This is one of those easy tasks that you often forget to do when you’re in a rush. Flossing isn’t just important for your overall dental health, it helps prevent gingivitis and tooth decay. Try to incorporate flossing into your daily routine at least once or twice a day. This tip can be especially helpful if you have braces or are receiving orthodontic treatment. Getting used to cleaning between your teeth will make future visits to the dentist easier, so work on making flossing a habit now! Remember: Brushing alone won’t clean those hard-to-reach spaces between your teeth—that’s where floss comes in!

Use mouthwash

Certain mouthwashes, like those that include peroxide, can help fight bad breath and reduce plaque buildup on your teeth. Using them regularly before you see your dentist could mean a better overall experience when you’re at his or her office—and save you from getting lectured about practicing better oral hygiene. However, if your dentist tells you that he or she would like to examine your mouth closer in order to check for early signs of periodontal disease, do not use a mouthwash containing alcohol because it will dry out your gums and irritate them even more. Instead, reach for an alcohol-free variant that is specifically designed as an after-dinner rinse. They are typically easier on sensitive gums than traditional alcohol-based mouthwashes.

Reduce sugar intake

Sugar doesn’t just impact your teeth in childhood orthodontics sugar wears down your adult teeth, too. And sugar that impacts your teeth when you’re younger can lead to  later on. If you’re concerned about not doing something because it will be painful, put those fears aside: Preparing for dental work doesn’t have to be painful or expensive. All it takes is following these 10 simple steps!

Eat healthy food

Eating healthy foods helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. Stick with a healthy diet, focusing on whole grains, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, lean meats like chicken and fish, low-fat dairy products, legumes (beans), herbs and spices. Choose foods high in fiber to reduce plaque buildup around your teeth. Snack on small portions of treats occasionally rather than grazing throughout the day. Make sure you floss daily to prevent food particles from getting stuck between your teeth that can lead to plaque buildup.

Go to bed on time

Skimping on sleep could lead to a wide variety of problems, including reduced cognitive function and poor judgment. If you don’t get enough shut-eye, you’re also likely to eat more than you normally would—definitely not a good idea if you’re trying to lose weight. Try going to bed 15 minutes earlier each night; try even taking your lunch break earlier in order to go straight teeth at home and catch some.

Get plenty of sleep

One of the best ways to prepare yourself mentally and physically for a visit with your dentist is to get plenty of sleep. Be sure that you’re getting 8+ hours of quality sleep every night. This will make you more rested, relaxed, and focused on your appointment. After all, you want to be as relaxed as possible when you’re having your teeth checked. And yes, there are plenty of other things out there that can keep us up at night; however, we always encourage our patients not to let their dental needs interfere with their sleep schedule! Remember: rest is important!

Show up early on the day of your appointment

In order to prepare for your first visit, you should probably go ahead and make an appointment. An early appointment is ideal because it gives you a lot of time beforehand to take care of anything else that might be on your mind. Plus, if you get there early enough, it means you can get in right away. At least you won’t have to spend any time sitting around in a waiting room full of people with their mouths wide open. And we all know how uncomfortable that can be! Showing up at least 30 minutes before your appointment is also a good idea.

Bring someone with you

As a first-time patient, you may be nervous about your appointment. For your own comfort and ease, ask someone you trust (like a spouse or friend) to accompany you. In addition to providing moral support, they can take notes and help keep track of instructions during appointments. If you’re more comfortable with dental procedures in general, ask them whether they’d like to stay after their visit so that they can practice getting used to what dentists do while they wait.

Talk to them about how it makes you feel afterward: have they noticed anything different, good or bad? Are there things that bothered them but not you? Sharing these experiences will only deepen your understanding of one another and make for better communication in any case. And always remember, if something doesn’t feel right, tell your dentist!

Relax before your appointment

Most people are uncomfortable visiting their dentist, and it’s no wonder why. It’s important that you relax before your appointment so you’re not tense during your appointment. You can use deep breathing exercises or even just listen to music while you wait in your dentist’s office. Music has been proven to reduce anxiety in dental patients, which will make your first visit much more enjoyable and comfortable dentist. Try to avoid doing anything stressful in a few hours before your appointment.

Try to arrive early enough that you have time to sit back and relax at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time with your orthodontist. An efficient orthodontist is going to get right down to business once they enter his/her office; don’t waste any valuable minutes by being late!

In addition, having more than enough time prior (and after) an orthodontic appointment allows a patient plenty of opportunity to ask questions about braces or correct care instructions if they didn't completely understand what was discussed on the day of their consultation.