Getting to your appointment

Visiting your dental office for routine check-ups and cleanings—both with your hygienist and dentist—is recommended twice a year, every six months. While this might not seem like a lot, scheduling these visits can often feel stressful. Many dental offices book appointments months in advance, and if you’re not already in the system when your cleaning is due, you might face a frustrating wait. This can be discouraging, but there are ways to stay ahead of the game.

Here’s a helpful tip: if you’re an established patient, always schedule your next cleaning before leaving your current appointment. This ensures you're on the calendar and helps avoid the hassle of last-minute bookings. On top of that, most offices send reminder calls or texts as your appointment date approaches, making it easier to stay on track.

If you’re a new patient and can’t book a cleaning for a few months, consider asking if you can come in earlier for x-rays and an exam. This approach opens up more scheduling flexibility, as most offices can fit you into the doctor’s schedule rather than waiting for a hygienist. During this visit, an assistant can take your x-rays, update your records, and sometimes even have a hygienist perform quick gum tissue readings before the dentist completes the exam. This setup not only helps assess your oral health (tissue and bone health included), but it also shortens the time needed for your cleaning appointment. Instead of requiring 90 minutes, your hygienist may only need an hour, making it easier to find an available slot for your cleaning.

Now that you’ve secured an appointment, let’s talk about preparing for it—especially if you feel anxious about dental visits. Many dental offices offer options to help ease nerves, such as nitrous oxide (commonly referred to as "laughing gas"). Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective way to help you relax during your appointment. It works quickly and wears off just as fast once you stop breathing it in, so there’s no need for a designated driver, and it won’t put you to sleep. Nitrous helps relax the body and distorts the brain’s perception of time, making the experience feel shorter and more manageable.

That said, nitrous isn’t for everyone. For some, it can increase anxiety instead of reducing it. The sensation of wearing the nosepiece may feel uncomfortable or even suffocating for certain patients. If you decide to try nitrous and find it’s not working for you, let your dental team know immediately. They’ll turn it off and provide pure oxygen for about five minutes to clear the nitrous from your system. This transition can feel challenging if the nosepiece itself is part of the issue, but rest assured, your dental team will do their best to make you comfortable during this process.

For many patients, the thought of visiting a dental office can be overwhelming, often due to past experiences or general anxiety. However, your dentist can help make the experience more comfortable by prescribing an oral sedative—a medication you take before your appointment to help you relax.

It’s important to note that if you choose this option, the sedation requires you to have someone drive you to and from your appointment for safety reasons.

Your dental office should prioritize making appointments as seamless and stress-free as possible for patients. Personally, I am committed to ensuring my patients' comfort and well-being every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek a second opinion if needed — your peace of mind matters.

Go ahead, you have all the proper tools now. Schedule that appointment today!