So you haven’t seen the dentist in … a while. You might feel embarrassed or anxious about your next visit. You might even be putting it off because you’re worried about getting bad news. Don’t panic or beat yourself up: There’s actually no hard and fast rule for how often people should go to the dentist. According to the American Dental Association, dentists typically make individual recommendations to patients depending on factors such as the condition of their teeth and gums and their overall state of health.
Dr. Sudarat Kiat-amnuay, is the director of advanced education in general dentistry at the University of Texas in Houston. She says dentists like to see their patients at least twice a year, but that it’s not always easy to make those visits happen. Whether it’s been several months or several years since your last exam and cleaning, she says feeling nervous about going is more common than you think.
The good news is that no one at your dentist’s office will judge you for how long it’s been, or for the state of your teeth. (Seriously.) Chances are they’ll just be happy to see you — and help calm your nerves, if needed.
“I usually try to calm my nervous patients down and remind them I’m glad they’re here,” says Kiat-amnuay. “We as dentists want to help our patients regain their oral health so they can have a beautiful smile and better overall health.”
Haven’t had your teeth examined in a while? Here’s a step-by-step guide for what you can expect during your first time back in the chair.
You’ll go over your medical history
Dr. Matt Messina, clinic director at Ohio State Upper Arlington Dentistry in Columbus, Ohio, says the first thing he does with patients who’ve taken an extended break from dental care is a thorough update of their medical history. Your dentist will probably ask for any updates about your health, such as any major illnesses or surgeries you’ve had since your last appointment, or any new medications you’re on. They might also take your blood pressure as a way to evaluate your overall health.
“We’re sometimes the medical provider people see most often, so it’s important for us to thoroughly check people out,” says Messina. If there’s a medical concern, like high blood pressure, your dentist might recommend seeing your primary care provider too.
You’ll have a thorough oral exam
Next, the hands-on part: Your dentist will conduct a thorough exam of your mouth, including your teeth, cheeks, lips and gums, looking for things like cavities, gum disease, infections, and bite and jaw issues. This is an important part of your appointment, and it’s about more than checking your fillings. The mouth can show signs of systemic diseases, from diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis to oral cancer.
It might be nerve-wracking to have someone poking at your teeth and gums with sharp metal tools, but this part probably won’t be as bad as you expect. Your dentist will guide you through the process; Kiat-amnuay says she commonly walks patients through what she’s doing during the exam so they know what to expect.
You’ll probably get new X-rays
Your dentist can only see so much with the naked eye, so they will probably enlist the help of X-rays before creating your treatment plan. X-rays provide an extreme close-up view of cavities, decay, and even cysts and tumors in the jaw. Generally, doctors do two kinds of X-rays: panoramic (for a full picture of all your teeth, plus your jaw and sinuses) and bitewing (where you bite down on electronic sensors, which take pictures between your teeth). After the X-rays, your dentist will sit down with you to go over their findings.
Technology might have changed
Gone are the days of toxic metal fillings and long, loud dental work. Dental technology is always advancing, so the patient experience may have changed a bit since your last visit, even if it’s only been a year or two. For example, Messina says dentistry is more aesthetically focused than ever before. Most dentists offer basically invisible, tooth-colored fillings for cavities, and if your dentist recommends braces, you can opt for Invisalign.
Dental work might feel different too, but in a good way. “Everything in the dentist’s office now is faster, quieter and easier than it ever used to be,” Messina says.
You’ll probably get a cleaning too
After your exam and X-rays, your dentist may send you to a dental hygienist for a cleaning. Sometimes your dentist’s office might break up your first appointment into two: one for an exam and X-rays, and one for a cleaning, both of which usually take about an hour.
At your cleaning, the hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth with a scratchy tool called a scaler. Next, they’ll polish your teeth with an electric brush before flossing them thoroughly. Finally, you’ll likely get a lesson on how to correctly brush and floss at home. Pay attention: Kiat-amnuay says keeping up with dental hygiene is the best way to prevent dental problems (and extra trips to the dentist). “The right technique makes a big difference in causing problems to subside,” she says.
You’ll work together to come up with a treatment plan
Since you haven’t had routine dental care in a while, you might need to make up for lost time with more frequent maintenance appointments, depending on what the dentist finds in your exam and X-rays. Typically, your dentist will chat with you toward the end of your appointment to fill you in on recommendations for your next appointment.
You might need fillings or another procedure at your dentist’s office, or your dentist might refer you to a specialist, like an oral surgeon or an orthodontist.
“Depending on how long it’s been, there might be some deferred maintenance,” Messina says. “Once we have a plan of attack, we can work to get patients back to 100 percent.”
The last thing to worry about is that your dentist will make you feel bad or judge you for your lapse in treatment. Messina says most dental providers totally understand that life happens. People often get out of the rhythm of going to the dentist. You might have every intention of rescheduling your six-month cleaning, but it slips your mind. Then, it’s two years later. Dentists also know that issues like cost concerns and dental anxiety can get in the way of frequent care. Just be upfront.
“We’re just going to be happy you’re back,” Messina says, “and we’ll help you to get caught up and stay in the dental system.”