Make Your Check-Up Easy With This Preparation Guide

So you’ve finally scheduled that appointment you’ve been putting off for a long time, but you aren’t sure what you need to do to prepare? We know it can be a bit challenging and even nerve-wracking to be something for the first time, or just the first time in a long time, and that’s why we’ve put together the following handy guide. You don’t need to stress about your next dental visit, you’ve made a great decision to protect your teeth and keep your smile bright by scheduling it! Follow this check-list, and you won’t have anything to worry about!

Check-In
Like all appointments, you should always try to get there early, but just like all medical appointments, expect it to run 15-30 minutes later than the scheduled time. With you, you’ll want to have your dental insurance information, your identification, and any medical records you can acquire before you arrive. You should also have spent some time thinking about who you’ll want to be able to speak on your behalf to schedule appointments, get results, etc. You’ll have to fill out that information at the office.

Meet With The Hygienist
The first person, after the receptionist, that you’re likely to see is going to be the dental hygienist. They’ll spend their time examining your teeth, and cleaning tartar and plaque from your teeth if they’ve determined you need a cleaning. They’ll follow this up by rinsing out your mouth and making your teeth clean for the dentist to examine. At this point, the dentist will determine the overall state of your dental health, suggest procedures in the coming months, and otherwise ensure that you’re on the road to a healthy mouth.

Finishing the Check-Up
As part of your initial check-up, you’re also likely to get x-rays to check on the status of your teeth and determine the health of the structures your dentist can’t see with the naked eye alone. This can include identifying tumors, cysts, abscesses, and the most common ailment, decay. Throughout they’ll ask you questions about your dental health practices and suggest ways you can work at keeping your mouth in great shape until the next appointment.

Check-Out
Congratulations! You’ve gotten through your first appointment, and your teeth are fresh and sparkly white, or at least cleaner than they were when you came in. The next step of the process is scheduling your next appointment. If everything in your mouth is fine, you can expect this to be about six months later, or maybe sooner if you have medical complications that require greater vigilance. If you have any dental work that needs to be done your dentist will let you know and then you can schedule it with the receptionist.

If it’s time to schedule your next check-up, give Dr. Deborah Tabb a call at Bethesda Family Dentistry today. Their team has been trusted by the families of the Bethesda, MD area to take care of their teeth and protect their dental health and that of their children. Become part of the Bethesda Family Dentistry Family today by picking up your phone and scheduling your next check-up!