What to Expect When You Haven’t Been to the Dentist in Years

A few years ago, Health Policy Institute reported an alarming statistic: 77% of adults had stated they planned to visit the dentist the following year, while only 37% actually do. In other words, thousands of Americans have failed to visit their dentist for at least one dental visit per year. Yet, the statistics don’t end there.

In 2018, Delta Dental reported that 33% of unplanned visits to the dentist are a result of a pain in the mouth. Meaning, adults don’t visit the dentist until they absolutely have to—until their teeth issues become so severe that it’s an emergency.

With these statistics in mind, we’d like to inform our readers about what they should expect when they haven’t been to the dentist in years. Trust us: it’s never as scary as it seems and at North Pointe Dental Associates, we’re only here to improve your smile and make you feel as comfortable as possible in the process.

How Should I Prepare my First Dental Appointment Back?

Our first bit of advice is to absolutely be on time for your appointment. When you’re returning to your dentist after years of being away, you’re more than likely feeling nervous. Running late will add to those nerves and we want you to feel as calm as you can feel.

Our second bit of advice is to, if possible, be even early for your appointment. New patients should expect to spend some time filling out any necessary paperwork. This is because your dentistry of choice would like to get to know your dental history and medical information better for a thorough visit.

What Can I Expect During the Cleaning and Exam?

If you’ve neglected to see your dentist in quite some time, you’ve likely acquired a buildup of plaque. Due to the plaque buildup, your visit may take longer than usual. When plaque builds in your gums, you may experience slight bleeding.

We’ve experienced that many patients who have not attended regular dental visits have shown one or multiple cavities. This is completely normal if a patient has neglected their dental checkups. To address the issues of cavities in your mouth, your dentist will suggest getting fillings. If you factor properly cleaning your teeth from plaque and filling your cavities, your first dental visit may become longer than you anticipated.

A Healthy Smile After Your First Visit

That’s it! Just one dental visit and boom—your smile is healthier than ever before! We encourage our readers to take the time to make their first dental appointment before the health of their smile declines.

A great dentistry will make you feel at ease after some time away from the dentist. It’s important to know that your dentistry only has your best interest in mind. It’s quite common to feel anxious and fearful about that first trip back into the dental seat—but believe us: you’ll thank yourself later.

Getting your first appointment set up is easy. Give us a call and before you know it, you’ll have a more healthy smile you can feel confident about.