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Things You Should Never Do Before Going To The Dentist

Ah, the dentist. The haven of good dental hygiene, and for many, one of those places you really don't want to go. Despite a visit to the dentist being essential for maintaining good oral health, and most dentists doing everything in their power to make your visit as stress-free as possible, a huge amount of people are scared of the chair. One 2014 study published by Medical Principles and Practice found that 36 percent of people experience dental anxiety when in the dentist's office or before a visit, and 12 percent of those experience extreme fear.

Yet despite this trepidation, Americans seem to understand the importance of getting their teeth checked. As Delta Dental reported, approximately 93 percent of Americans plan on visiting the dentist in 2021. But in your fear of opening wide and saying ahh, you might be tempted to do some things before your check-up which could prove less than useful. If you're due for an appointment soon, sink your teeth into the following things you should never do before going to the dentist.

Avoid putting on too much makeup before seeing the dentist

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You might not think twice before putting on a face full of makeup before heading to the dentist, but it's a surprisingly annoying factor for your dentist. According to Savannah Dental Solutions, a dental practice in Savannah, Georgia, run by Chad and Alexandra Schnabel, "Dental procedures involve placing hands, tools, and water inside your mouth. Depending on exactly what you are having done, your mouth may also be numbed. Since the area around your mouth will likely get messy, it's best to skip the lipstick, foundation, and full face powder." That said, the dentists noted that blush and mascara are fine.

Try your best to arrive with a mostly bare face to avoid any unwelcome mess for the professionals perfecting your smile, and consider packing your makeup bag if you have to head somewhere else after your appointment. As Savannah Dental Solutions explained, "If you're heading to work or a social engagement after your appointment, you can always freshen up and apply makeup in the restroom on your way out."

Don't bring a picture of your dream teeth to a cosmetic dental consultation

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The Hollywood smile is a much-coveted look for some people, which is why it's not surprising that dentists are routinely asked how they can get an A-lister's stunning grin when stopping in for a cosmetic dental consultation. According to doctor of dental surgery Jay Grossman, however, bringing in a picture of your "dream teeth" isn't exactly a feasible way to approach dental work.

In an article for The Healthy, he explained, "Patients come in with pictures of celebrities and say, 'I want to look just like her.' I'm sitting there thinking, You can't have a smile that looks like Angelina Jolie's, because you don't have a face that fits those teeth. It's like when you get your hair color done — you can't just put the same highlights or lowlights in everybody's hair." Of course, having an idea of what you're hoping to achieve is wise, but don't get too set on a specific look.

Never keep your medical history a secret from your dentist

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A dentist appointment is a medical appointment, and should be treated as such. Unfortunately, though, when it comes to oral procedures, patients can forget that they need to be as open and upfront about any medical history as they would be with their primary doctor. Not doing so can be downright dangerous.

According to Martin Hogan, dentist and division director of the Oral Health Center at Loyola University Medical Center in Illinois, it's vital to share information beforehand so your dentist knows how best to treat you. In an interview with Medical Xpress, he explained, "If you have experienced a serious health condition such as a surgery or been diagnosed with a chronic condition, you need to tell your dentist before you come for your appointment. Depending on the illness, you may need to be premedicated with antibiotics to prevent infection."

This premedication, according to Hogan, is important. "Pretreatment one hour before the appointment with an antibiotic is recommended for patients with certain health conditions," the dentist revealed. Without it, your appointment "must be rescheduled ... resulting in a wasted trip."

If you're going to need medication, don't drink alcohol before your dentist appointment

This may seem like a no-brainer, but considering the anxiety that can surround a trip to the dentist, it's easy to see why people would be tempted to indulge in a drink or two before an appointment. However, doing so could mean trouble when you arrive at the practice, particularly if you're visiting to undergo treatment that requires medication.

Dr. David Potts, dentist for County Family Dental Care in Libertyville, Illinois, explained, "Of course, you could drink wine before going to the dentist, but it will affect [your] treatment. There will be some counter-indications between the wine and some dental medication." This could leave you at risk of having to reschedule your appointment or worse, you could put your health in danger.

If you're feeling a little nervous around your treatment, Potts advised, "You might consider doing some form of sedation dentistry instead. That won't keep you from any form of treatment, but will give you the same relaxed feeling you can get from wine." 

If you're going in for a root canal, don't take painkillers

It seems pretty logical, right? For a procedure considered to be as frightening and painful as a root canal (although interestingly, only 17 percent of people actually consider it their "most painful dental experience," according to the American Association of Endodontists), taking some pain medication beforehand feels like the smart thing to do.

However, taking painkillers before arriving at the dentist may be an unwise move, and for more than one reason. As Downtown Dental, a dental practice in Greenville, South Carolina revealed, anesthesia is typically administered before a root canal begins, meaning there's no need for any over-the-counter medications. Also by taking painkillers, you're, well, killing the pain. This is a problem because your dentist may actually need for you to identify exactly where the pain is located before they can get to work. Even if you're nervous about the potential for pain, leave the medicating to the dentist.

If you're having dental surgery, don't wear contact lenses

It might seem like forgoing glasses and opting for contacts would be the more comfortable choice in the dentist's chair, what with the amount of stuff going on in and around your mouth during a procedure. The less on your face, the better, right? Well, this isn't quite the case, particularly if you're undergoing oral surgery.

According to Verywell Health, wearing contacts during surgery can be problematic if you're having to undergo a general anesthetic. This is because your eyes may need to remain closed for an extended period of time. While a short period of your eyes being closed isn't too risky, longer periods of wearing contact lenses with your eyes shut can raise your risk of eye infection, as well as being generally uncomfortable to remove afterward (via Healthline).

Also, if you're going to need oral surgery, make sure to wear practical, comfortable clothing, remove any jewelry beforehand, and if you have longer hair, tie it back so it's away from your face. The more you can help your dentist do what they need to do, the easier the procedure will be.

Don't step up your dental hygiene suddenly before seeing the dentist

Look, we get it. Going to the dentist strikes fear into the heart of even the most diligent flosser. And if it's been a while since you've had an exam, you might feel like putting in the hours on your dental hygiene just before your appointment. However, doing this is futile. After all, dental hygiene is a lifelong endeavor, and trying to make up for lost time may cause you a fair amount of discomfort.

More to the point, your dentist can tell. Martin Hogan, doctor of dental surgery and division director of the Oral Health Center at Loyola University Medical Center, told Medical Xpress, "Sometimes we will see the gum tissue slightly irritated and when asking patients about this, they mention that they have been flossing 'extra hard' the past few days in anticipation of their dental visit. Other times we may see the gum tissue slightly dried out, which often is caused by excessive use of alcohol-containing mouth rinses." So while we get why you'd do this, it isn't helping you and it certainly isn't fooling your dentist. Instead, focus on practicing good oral hygiene consistently. That's the way to save face with your dentist.

Don't smoke before coming to the dentist

Although smoking rates are on the decline in the U.S. — from 20.9 percent of adults in 2005 to 14 percent in 2019, per the CDC – it's far from rare. And with the myriad health complications that smoking can cause, it's little surprise that your dentist also isn't a huge fan of the harmful habit. As Ada Cooper, a New York City-based dentist and spokesperson for the American Dental Association, told The Healthy, "Smoking is something patients shouldn't do period, but definitely not before the dentist."

Smoking can lead to tooth staining, bad breath, inflammation of your salivary gland openings, and heightened plaque and tartar build-up on your teeth, all of which can cause headaches for your dentist when trying to administer treatment (via WebMD). And that's all before the fact that smoking can also lead to a higher risk of gum disease, longer healing times after dental surgery and procedures, and a higher prevalence of developing oral cancer. If it wasn't time to quit before, it could be now.

(09/12/2024)
by Health Digest

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