What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Visiting a new dentist for the first time can be a nerve-wracking experience. Whether this is the first time visiting a dentist or you are seeking to transfer dental offices, you’ll discover that each dental practice has its own policies and procedures. If you are visiting our Clermont family dentistry office for the first time, there are a few things you can expect while at your appointment.

Initial Paperwork

New patients must complete a variety of documents before seeing a dentist in Clermont. You may be asked to complete a new patient form that includes personal information, including insurance details. You may also be asked to complete a financial consent form, as well as a medical history form that allows the dentist to gain a better understanding of any prior medical or dental conditions that you may have experienced in the past.

If you are transferring from a different dental office, you may also need to complete a dental records release authorization form to allow the new office to gain access to your dental records. At Hancock Village Dental, new patient paperwork can be filled out online and electronically sent to the office to save patients time by not having to fill out these documents when they arrive for their appointment.

Exam and Cleaning

At your first dental appointment, you can expect to start with a physical exam. A dental hygienist will use a small mirror to check your teeth and gums for signs of inflammation or other concerns. During this time, your Clermont dentist may ask questions about your oral health routine. Additionally, they may provide tips on how to improve your dental health.

Next, the hygienist will use a scaler, along with the mirror to guide them, to get rid of plaque and tartar on the teeth and along the gum line. It’s normal to feel and hear some scraping during this process, especially if the plaque has hardened into tartar which is more difficult to remove.

Once the teeth have been scraped, your hygienist will perform a gritty toothpaste cleaning. Using a high-powered electric brush with a spinning head, the hygienist will clean and polish the tooth surfaces. This will help create a beautiful shine. While the tool may seem loud, the process is fast and painless.

The next step in a routine cleaning involves flossing between the teeth. Food and debris can become stuck between the teeth, increasing a person’s risk of decay. Having your teeth professionally flossed can help ensure that the spaces between the teeth are free of plaque.

Finally, your dental hygienist will allow you to rinse your mouth of any lingering debris and toothpaste. You may also be provided with a rinse containing liquid fluoride. This will help protect your teeth and make them more resilient against cavities. Patients at high risk for decay may be offered a fluoride treatment to further protect the teeth.

Dental X-Rays

Dental X-rays are commonly administered during a patient’s first appointment. These X-rays or radiographs provide images of your teeth that your dentist can use to better evaluate your oral health. Dental X-rays use low levels of radiation to obtain images of the interior of the teeth and gums.

How often you need dental X-rays will depend on a variety of factors. This could be your age, state of oral health, history of gum disease, and symptoms of oral disease. Children often undergo more frequent X-rays than adults as their teeth require regular monitoring as they grow.

During a dental X-ray, you’ll sit in a chair with a lead vest laid across you or hooked around your kneck. An X-ray machine will be positioned along your head to capture pictures of your mouth. Your dentist may acquire a variety of X-ray types, such as bitewing, panoramic, occlusal, and periapical X-rays.

Schedule Your First Appointment

If your first dental appointment is coming up or you are bringing your child for an initial visit, you may be wondering what to expect. The first visit allows patients and their providers to get to know one another. This will help create a better relationship built on trust. To learn more about what to expect at your first appointment or to schedule an appointment, contact Hancock Village Dental.