Tips to Make Your Next Dental Visit More Productive

Clean, attractive, and healthy teeth are a priority for most people in the modern era, and have become even more important as science learns more about how oral health can affect a patient’s overall wellbeing. To keep those teeth and gums healthy and aesthetically pleasing, patients should rely on a comprehensive regimen of personal dental hygiene to complement their regular scheduled visits to the dentist. The problem is that many of these patients often fail to maximize the benefits of professional dental care. Here are some simple tips that can help to ensure that your next dental visit is as productive as possible.

1. Don’t change your oral hygiene routine in the days or weeks leading up to the appointment. The problem with a sudden increase in brushing or flossing frequency is that it is simply too easy to overdo it. Many people brush with greater ferocity when they have an upcoming appointment, particularly if they’ve been somewhat lax about hygiene in the preceding months. Stick to your recommended brushing schedule to avoid damaging your enamel and gums.
2. If you have a list of concerns you want to discuss, write them down. Trust us on this one. If you think that you’ll remember all those questions and concerns you wanted to run past your dentist during your appointment, you’re almost certainly mistaken. Sure, the major issues will come to mind immediately – but the less critical concerns are likely to be forgotten once you hit that chair.
3. You should be flossing between appointments. You know it. Your dentist knows it. Everyone knows it. Statistics show, however, that many of us neglect that important hygiene ritual. With that said, there’s no point in telling your dentist that you floss regularly unless that’s true. If you’ve been less diligent than you should be, your dentist will almost certainly notice the neglect. Be honest about your daily oral care regimen when asked. Your dentist needs accurate information to properly diagnose the condition of your teeth and gums.
4. Whenever you’re being given detailed care instructions, be sure to either take notes or ask your dentist to provide you with something in writing. That may seem like an inconvenience, but today’s health care providers generally have no problem providing these types of instructions in either printed form or via email.
5. Be on time! Your dentist will have scheduled your appointment with an eye toward ensuring that he or she has the optimal amount of time to properly examine and care for your dental needs. If you are late, that appointment may need to be rushed or cut short so that the next patient’s appointment can be honored.

At Ebenezer Dental, we know that you want to get as much out of each visit as you can to ensure that we have the best opportunity to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy and beautiful. To learn more about how you can get more out of your next visit to the best dentist in midtown Manhattan, contact us today.