Have you been avoiding a trip to the dentist? If so, you’re not alone. At Staley Dental, we’ve heard all the reasons why patients skip out on or reschedule their visits to the dentist. In most cases, patients tell us they are too busy. With hectic schedules at work to a demanding social life, it’s easy to deprioritize those trips to see your dentist regularly.

But making time to protect your oral health is critical and can positively affect your work and social life. We care about your oral health and want you to be able to prioritize it too. It’s essential to see your dentist regularly, so whether you are having trouble making the time or facing another roadblock, follow our advice.

Why don’t you see your dentist regularly?

As we said earlier, we’ve heard almost every excuse in the book as to why patients can’t make it to the dentist. But a dental cleaning and oral evaluation are critical to your overall health. A good professional cleaning by your dentist is the only way to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth effectively. Of course, brushing, flossing, and using a fluoridated mouthwash at home is where it all starts, you can’t remove all of that plaque on your own. And when plaque is left to build up, it turns into dental calculus and is that much harder to remove. Plus, tartar can cause tooth decay which could mean a cavity that could have been otherwise avoided.

So now that we understand why it is essential to see your dentist regularly, let’s talk about the primary roadblocks that patients state as to why they avoid their dental evaluations. We hope our recommendations can help patients overcome their concerns and procrastination, making that next dental visit a priority.

1. Dental Anxiety

If you have dental anxiety, you’re not alone. It is estimated that nearly 50 to 80% of adults in the United States alone suffer from dental anxiety. Over 20% of those adults don’t make it to the dentist regularly. Nine to 15% avoid trips to the dentist altogether. If you have a fear of the dentist, the first thing you should do is let us know. Healthy communication between patients and their dentist can help to strip away those fears. We also recommend our patients try the following at their next visit.

• Schedule your trip to the dentist at a less busy time – our team can help you find a dentist appointment time that is convenient and less busy to help make you more comfortable.
• Practice deep breathing exercises before and during your dental appointment to help induce a state of calm.
• Try meditation or guided imagery during your visit to create a state of heightened awareness, focus, and muscle relaxation.
• Ask us about our latest dental technology such as microsurgery and laser technology that can create less time and more comfort in the dental chair.

2. Jaw Pain, Headaches, and Chemical sensitivities

If you have experienced jaw pain, headaches, chemical sensitivities or any other discomfort before, during, or after your trip to the dentist, be sure to let us know the next time you are in. In some cases, jaw pain and headaches are simply a result of the tension that patients carry related to their dental visit. In these situations, practicing one of the techniques for dental anxiety can help.

We also understand that some of our patients have MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities). We take extra steps to make this a bit easier for our patients. For example, our employees do not wear fragrances at work. Further, we use air purifiers and water filters in the office. We can also use non-latex gloves and rubber dams if needed.

3. Health Conditions

We are accustomed to working with patients with various health concerns. And we know that medical conditions are nothing to be embarrassed about. We also encourage our patients to be upfront and honest about any condition they may have, as the more we are in the know, the better we can tailor your dental experience to accommodate your individual needs.

Also, don’t be concerned if you require restorative dental work. More than 36 million Americans do not have any teeth, and 120 million people in our country are missing at least one tooth. So fear not, as you are not alone! And we are here to help.

4. Busy, Busy, Busy

We get it. Today’s lives are more demanding than others. Between work schedules, social commitments, carting the kids to and fro, and other tasks that take up calendar time, we know all about busy schedules.

But it is essential that our patients understand that people who visit the dentist regularly take less time off of school and work for dental appointments than those who go only when a toothache strikes or a dental emergency. So if you feel too busy to go to the dentist, know that one hour every six months is far less time than you will need if you have a dental emergency, gingivitis, or other oral health concern.

Despite your roadblocks, your family dentist in Boise, ID, is here to help you improve and maintain your oral health.

There is no better way to say it. Routine dental attendance is associated with better oral health. This means a visit to the dentist every six months for a dental cleaning and oral evaluation. Make it a priority to see your dentist regularly, and overcome those roadblocks by requesting an appointment with Staley Dental in Boise, Idaho. Let us know your fears and what makes you uncomfortable. Together, we can create a positive dental experience that gives you the peace of mind you need to maintain and protect your oral health. We look forward to seeing you.