It’s time for your routine dental appointment. As we get older, we start to wonder if there are things we should and shouldn’t do before a trip to the dentist office near me in Shoreline. Should you eat or drink? What about brushing your teeth before you go?
There are some things you’ll want to avoid before heading to the dentist. Other things aren’t all that worrisome. Here are the top tips before you go to your dental appointment.
Brush and Floss Your Teeth Before the Appointment
When you were younger, did your parents always get you to brush your teeth before you went to the dentist. It didn’t matter what time of the day the appointment was. There was always the rush home from school, the need to brush, and then head out to the dentist. It would have seemed odd for many children.
There is some benefit to brushing and flossing before heading out to the dentist office near me in Shoreline. You’ll remove the food particles from the day, and they do build up. Even if you’re only going for a routine clean, you’ll want to get rid of the food particles. You’ll find the cleaning process at the dentist is much smoother.
If you don’t have time to brush before you go, don’t worry too much about it. The cleaning process is good enough to get rid of everything. It’s just helpful if you can do it.
Avoid Eating Before the Trip
When you have your appointment booked for the dentist office near me in Shoreline, you’ll want to think carefully about the time of day that it is. It’s important to avoid eating or drinking as much as you can.
Some dentists recommend going five hours without food or drink before your visit, drinking only water. This helps to avoid a build up of debris in your teeth. However, there are times that you can’t avoid that, such as if you have the appointment after school or work and you need to eat lunch.
If you are anxious of the work being done, it’s best to keep an empty stomach. This can help to avoid nauseousness while in the chair.
Avoid Smoking Before Your Appointment
If you are a smoker, try not to smoke before the appointment. You know it’s bad for you anyway, but it’s going to leave debris and staining on your teeth. You’ll make it harder for the dentist to do their work.
Cigarette smoke also damages the enamel of your teeth. Don’t lie to your dentist about not being a smoker if you are. Your dentist will be able to recommend products to help manage the damage while you decide if and when you want to quit.
You don’t have to do a lot before you visit the dentist office near me in Shoreline. The trick is to make sure your teeth are as easy to clean as possible. It will mean less time in the dentist chair, and it could also lead to a slightly smaller dental bill.
