{"id":33,"date":"2019-04-22T16:45:35","date_gmt":"2019-04-22T16:45:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wethersfielddentalgroup.com\/blog\/?p=33"},"modified":"2019-04-22T16:46:28","modified_gmt":"2019-04-22T16:46:28","slug":"what-to-expect-during-your-first-visit-to-a-dentist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wethersfielddentalgroup.com\/blog\/2019\/04\/22\/what-to-expect-during-your-first-visit-to-a-dentist\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Expect during Your First Visit to a Dentist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"dentist<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Your first appointment with a\nnew dentist<\/a>\nis a time for you and the staff get to know each other, to learn more about\nyour oral health needs and how to care for them. It\u2019s also the time to discuss\nfinancial matters, such as dental coverage or payment arrangements. At the end,\nyou\u2019ll leave the office feeling good about yourself for taking an important\nstep toward your long-term well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What to Expect During the Initial Oral Exam<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The oral exam is the\nfoundation of a routine dental visit. Its purpose is to uncover not only\ncavities but other potential threats to your health, such as signs of skin or\nmouth cancer. Your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, tongue, palate, lips,\nface, and throat. Many dentists now use digital imaging or cavity detection\ntools to detect problems that eyesight alone may miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your dentist will also check the\nalignment of your upper and lower jaw and may ask if you experience pain or\nsoreness when opening or closing your mouth. People of any age can suffer from\ndental misalignment issues. Modern dentistry offers low-profile alternatives to\ntraditional braces for many patients. Remember to mention any concerns you have\nabout your oral health during this stage of the appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Expect during a Routine Teeth Cleaning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The second stage of a routine\ndental visit is the teeth cleaning procedure. This plays an important\nsupplementary role to self-care steps such as daily brushing and flossing. Over\ntime plaque and tartar build up on the teeth, requiring professional care to\nremove.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your teeth are especially\nstained, or if your dentist suspects the presence of gum disease, that he or\nshe may perform a procedure known as a scaling and root planing or a \u201cdental\ndeep cleaning.\u201d It removes plaque both beneath and above the gum line. Your\ndentist may prescribe a special mouthwash to use as a follow-up step. It\u2019s\nimportant to follow the doctor\u2019s recommendations precisely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tending to Business Matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no secret that\nprofessional dental care costs money. Fortunately, patients have a number of\noptions for dealing with this aspect of the appointment. Besides traditional\ndental insurance, the office manager can tell you about private financing or\npay-as-you-go plans. The staff will do everything possible to make regular\ndental care an affordable part of your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Look for in a Dentist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just as every patient is\nunique, so is every dental practice. What works well for one patient may be inappropriate\nfor another. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a dentist:<\/p>\n\n\n\n