You know that saying, “Better late than never”? Well, that is not necessarily true for dentistry. The longer you leave untreated dental work, the more painful and the more expensive it will be. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), it is recommended to visit the dentist once every six months (yes, it may be technically more often than your medical doctor—but do you realize how often you utilize your mouth and teeth?!). If a toothache is the only reason you visit the dentist, you may want to continue reading, then follow up by scheduling your next dental visit ASAP. Whether it’s your very first visit, or your 100th visit, here’s what you can expect to happen at your next dental appointment.

Check-In/Paperwork

Any reputable dental office has some form of paperwork, or a general check in process. If the one you’re planning to visit does not, then run for the hills and find another office as soon as you can. The paperwork generally includes basic demographic information, past medical history and any consents you may need to sign for treatment. Depending on the office, someone may go through the paperwork with you, or you may complete the paperwork alone. Some offices offer online options, where you can fill out your paperwork ahead of time, and at your own pace, before you even make it to your appointment. At this time, the office may ask you to provide your dental insurance information, if any.

TIP: This is also the perfect time to ask about payment options and whether there are any payment plans available!

Chief Concern: Reason for Your Visit

So once you’re all done with paperwork, you should be met by a dental assistant (or hygienist) who will ask you a series of questions about your dental history, as well as the reason for your visit that day. The assistant may inquire about your last known visit (if any) to a dentist, and whether or not you’ve have any minor or major dental procedures in the past. If you’re a teenager or an adult and you can’t remember whether or not you’ve have dental work completed, no worries! Thanks to great technology, most X-rays can show all the previous dental work you have no recollection of (well, if the dental work was done correctly…).

Diagnostic X-rays

The dental assistant will then move on to the interesting stuff—dental X-rays (or radiographs). The assistant generally takes two types of X-rays: bitewings and a full mouth (or panoramic) X-ray. Both X-rays are important and necessary in order for your dentist to get an accurate representation of your teeth.

Diagnostic X-rays help the dentist perform a thorough, and comprehensive oral exam, ensuring you get the most accurate diagnosis. These X-rays not only show your dentist any previous dental work, but it can also show tooth decay (aka cavities) and the status of any wisdom teeth. The dentist usually performs the exam shortly after the assistant completes the X-rays. The dentist will use a series of instruments to complete the dental exam.

Dental Exam

This will honestly feel like the shortest part of your entire appointment. Some dentists are more thorough than others, so the exact time length of your appointment will vary depending on their skill and attention to detail. The dentist may begin with an oral cancer exam, which usually takes about a minute or two to complete (if your dentist does not, request that they complete this exam!). Dentists usually perform dental exams with the help of a dental assistant, but this too can vary, depending on your particular dentist. A great dentist will review your X-rays with you, while pointing out areas of concern for you to visualize. It is extremely important to pay close attention and ask plenty of questions about any diagnosis while you’re still in the room with the dentist.

Treatment Presentation

After your exam, you should have a clear idea of exactly what’s going on with your teeth (if anything) and what your dentist has planned to fix it. If you don’t, ask questions! Eventually, you will be presented with a treatment plan your dentist will come up with. A treatment plan is practically a game plan for all of your dental work. The treatment plan usually has a specific order of appointments, based on the dentist’s recommendations, and the expected costs for each treatment. Be sure to ask for a copy of this treatment plan so you can keep for your records. Remember: this is your health!

Shortly after your treatment presentation, you should be able to set up and schedule your next appointment. It’s extremely important to maintain regular visits with your dentist for optimal oral health and hygiene. Be sure to schedule your appointments in a timely manner—the sooner, the better!