Nobody likes going to the dentist – it’s uncomfortable, sometimes painful, and it can be quite expensive on top of that. However, it’s still something all of us must do regularly to keep our smiles healthy and beautiful.
If you have an upcoming dentist appointment soon, you’ve probably heard a lot of advice on how to prepare properly. Still, rarely does anyone tells you what NOT to do to keep your appointment as comfortable and quick for both you and your dentist.
Here we’ll talk about that in some more detail to help you get through your next appointment as easy as it’s possible.
So, without any further ado, let’s get right to the bottom of it!
1. Don’t drink caffeine
Coffee and other popular caffeine products don’t just leave unappealing yellow stains that make your dentist’s job harder, they also make you jumpy and make your dental anxiety worse. If you’re someone who suffers from nervousness and anxiety during dental procedures, you should skip your morning coffee completely(or at least drink a decaffeinated version of it).
Otherwise, you’ll be at risk of increased anxiety, panic attacks, and discomfort during your next appointment, which is something you’d certainly want to avoid. Even if you usually don’t have any anxious feelings when it comes to having dental work done, too much caffeine could make you feel a bit nervous. It’s always best to avoid it if you can help it.
2. Don’t smoke
Smoking isn’t just harmful to your lungs – it affects your throat, teeth, and gums as well. It’s not just about the yellow teeth and having a smoker’s breath: you could also end up with serious health issues such as periodontal disease that may cause you to lose your teeth later on. It’s absolutely clear why no dentist is a fan of smoking, especially when you do it right before your appointment.
Now, of course, we advise you to kick the habit completely if you’re able to, but your dentist will be grateful if you just avoid it before you’ve had your appointment for starters. All in all, if you’re a smoker, the best thing you can do before visiting a dentist is to NOT smoke. As hard as it can be, you’ll certainly manage to avoid cigarettes for a few hours.
3. „Do it yourself“ teeth whitening is a no-no
Teeth whitening has become increasingly popular in the last couple of years – everyone wants that pearl-white Hollywood smile nowadays. However, DIY teeth whitening is not a good idea when you have a dentist appointment ready. Your dentist won’t be able to notice some of the underlying oral issues you might be having, which could lead to many complications later on. It’s something that you should never risk – even a small unnoticed cavity in your tooth could grow into a serious problem if left unattended for too long.
Besides that, according to mybridgewaterdentist.com, teeth whitening, in general, is something that should always be done professionally. If it’s not done properly, it could lead to increased sensitivity, while giving you the opposite of what you wanted in the first place. For obvious reasons, this is especially bad before having an appointment with your dentist.
4. Eating minutes before you’ve reached the dentist’s office
Now, we’re not saying you shouldn’t eat anything at all before you’ve paid your dentist a visit (especially if you have issues with blood sugar), but you should still plan your meals for at least a few hours before you have your appointment scheduled.
Even if you brush and floss thoroughly, pieces of food could still linger and make your dentist’s job extremely hard. It’s not a pleasant experience for anyone involved, so keep it in mind the next time you schedule a dental procedure. Again, make sure you still do eat something a few hours before you leave your home, especially if you’re scheduled for a complex (and lengthy) appointment that day.
5. Don’t floss rigorously
All of us tried to intensify our oral hygiene routines before visiting our dentist at least once in our lifetime. Unfortunately, this won’t fool your dentist or help you get better results with your appointment. In fact, rigorous flossing and brushing could irritate your gums, in turn making your teeth more sensitive during your visit to the dentist. If you’re someone who has a low tolerance to pain, this is the last thing you’d want – trust us.
We advise you to do your regular teeth-care routine before you meet your dentist. If you have the need to suddenly step it up, then you’re probably not doing a good job in the first place. Oral hygiene is all about consistency – always remember that.
6. Don’t go if you’re feeling under the weather
Now, this is especially true now when we’re in a global pandemic, but you should never go to the dentist’s office if you’re sick. You’d be putting yourself and others at risk, so, if it’s not an absolute emergency, you could always postpone your appointment for when you’re feeling better.
f you don’t think your cold is transmissible, being sick and suffering through a dental intervention cannot be a comfortable experience whatsoever. It’s something that should be avoided at all costs.
7. Don’t come up with excuses for yourself
If your way of preparing for a dental appointment consists of coming up with lies and excuses to safe face with your dentist, you’re up for an unpleasant surprise. In most cases, your dentist will be able to tell you’re lying, and if they’re not, you’ll just be doing yourself a disservice by providing false information to someone who’s supposed to take care of you.
The bottom line
In this article, we’ve listed a couple of things you should never do before your scheduled appointment at the dentist in order to help you prepare better. We hope you found it to be useful and we wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors.
