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Visiting a dentist for the first time is the best thing you can do to get started on the road to proper dental care. If you have anxiety about going to the dentist, you are not alone. Many people feel nervous about getting into the dentist’s chair. Fortunately, an experienced dentist can help ease your anxiety.

Here are a few tips and tricks for a positively memorable first visit to the dentist.

Call Ahead

Call the clinic a few days ahead of time and ask for tips on how you can best prepare for your first visit. Preparations could include gathering your medical history information or making sure you take your government identification and insurance card with you to the clinic. During the first visit, you will be asked to fill out some forms for the dentist to get to know your medical history. They will need to know about any illnesses or diseases you have and all your current prescriptions. You can fill out the clinic’s patient forms before your first visit to save time. You can also make a list of your conditions and medications to prepare for the appointment. If you don’t have insurance, ask how much the visit will cost to be better prepared.

Ask About Sedation Dentistry

If you have severe dental anxiety, let the clinic know and find out what options are available to you. You want a dental clinic that will be extremely patient so that you can experience the least amount of anxiety as you go through the appointment. Your dentist should take the time to explain everything involved in the dental appointment, answer all of your questions, and help you understand why your fear is irrational. Many times, this is enough to alleviate most people’s anxiety.

When selecting a dentist, you want to choose one that offers sedation dentistry, which allows you to relax in the dentist’s chair throughout procedures. Not every dentist can offer sedation as it requires additional training and certification. Sedation also benefits patients with a very strong gag reflex and low pain tolerance.

Ask Questions

It is not recommended that patients keep changing dentists. Ideally, your dentist will be your partner in oral health for years to come. Choose a dentist with who you feel comfortable communicating. If you have any questions in your head about diet, lifestyle habits, and cosmetic procedures, ask away. To make sure you don’t forget anything, write your questions down and bring them with you to your first appointment.

Get Quality Sleep

Lack of sleep can cause greater anxiety and make you feel uncomfortable, jittery, and overall unwell. It can even make you forget things that you’ve prepared beforehand. If you sleep at least eight hours the night before your appointment, you are more likely to wake up refreshed and in a good mood, which sets the tone for the rest of the day.

Dentist in Plantation FL

Dr. Ernie Soto and our team are dedicated to giving you the best dental experience in our clinic. We take care of your oral health while also ensuring you are comfortable and calm throughout the appointment. We are proud to offer sedation dentistry to patients who have dental anxiety and cannot get procedures done due to their fear.

If you have an appointment with us, call us ahead of time, and our friendly and compassionate staff will help you prepare for your visit. For any questions or to schedule an appointment, call our dental clinic at (954) 368-6264 or use our online request form.