Scheduling a dentist appointment means more than just making a reminder on your calendar. Whether you are going in for a routine check-up, a cleaning, or a more complicated procedure, what you do beforehand significantly affects your experience. It is expected you will be anxious or nervous if you have not been to a doctor for quite a while. You might be wondering how best to prepare, what to expect, and what to avoid before the appointment. Knowing these factors can help reduce anxiety and help you have the best experience. 

Your dentist is focused on maintaining your oral health, but your preparation plays a crucial role in this process. Taking the proper steps and avoiding specific actions helps create a more comfortable and efficient appointment. This guide will give you some idea of how to proceed and what not to do in the lead-up to your visit.

Engage Your Insurance Provider 

Before you confirm your dental appointment, check with your insurance provider to confirm that your procedure is covered. Knowing what is covered can help you avoid surprises on the day of your procedure. Engaging your insurance provider can also help you manage your expenses. 

If your insurance provider does not cover the procedure or offers limited coverage, you should talk to your dentist about other ways to pay for it. Most practices offer ways to pay for procedures, including paying in installments depending on the charges. Considering these choices beforehand helps you proceed with the treatment without worrying about the costs. 

Confirm Your Dental Appointment

You should confirm your dental appointment to ensure a seamless experience for you and the dental office. Confirming the date and time reduces the chances of a clash on the time to be used or the time not being well understood, potentially resulting in no appointments or delays. This confirmation also allows you to review any special pre-appointment instructions that may have been given to you, including fasting, avoiding certain medications, or preparing for a procedure, among others, when you get to the clinic. 

Moreover, it is essential to double-check the appointment to ensure that there are no last-minute concerns that may worry you that remain unaddressed. Doing so will help you prepare for what to expect when you get to the facility. This will make the appointment comfortable and efficient, thus improving overall satisfaction. 

From the dental office’s point of view, confirmed appointments benefit them because they assist the office in organizing its schedule correctly. This helps them prepare for your needs, have all the necessary equipment ready, and have the correct number of employees. If you decide to reschedule, inform the clinic beforehand to allow them to schedule another patient at the same time, and thus, the day is not wasted. 

Eat Meals as Per Your Dentist’s Recommendations

Whether or not to eat before a dentist appointment depends on the type of visit and the scheduled procedures. Several patients believe in having a meal, especially if they expect a more involved procedure, like a filling, root canal, or extraction. You can have a light meal before a regular check-up or cleaning session. However, you should avoid foods that leave residue on your teeth or cause bad breath, as this can be uncomfortable for you and the dentist. 

If you have an appointment that requires anesthesia or sedation, like oral surgery or other major dental procedures, your dentist could advise you to fast for some time. Fasting reduces the chances of nausea and vomiting associated with anesthesia. 

Eating right before the visit can also affect your comfort during the visit. Eating a heavy meal, especially if you will be seated or lying down for a while, will make you uncomfortable. However, skipping a meal may make you feel dizzy or weak. 

Brushing your teeth before you visit your dentist is also good practice. Brushing and flossing clean the teeth and gum line and remove debris and plaque so your mouth is ready for the visit. A clean mouth makes it easier for the dentist to work and perform procedures comfortably. It reduces the time needed for the initial cleaning and lets your dentist focus on the examination or treatment. Besides, keeping your teeth and gums clean helps the dentist diagnose any problem or concern quickly. 

Below are some of the foods you should avoid before your dental visit, although they are foods you should generally avoid for your overall oral health:

  • Sugary foods and drinks — Cookies, candies, cakes, carbonated drinks, and juices are some foods that contribute to plaque formation and raise your chances of developing cavities. If you consume too much sugar, it promotes bacterial growth, which leads to the formation of more plaque and tartar. This, in turn, makes your dental checkup difficult and might need scaling.

  • Sticky foods — Caramel, gummy candies, and taffy stick to the teeth and are hard to remove after eating them. These residues can give your teeth the appearance of being dirty and prolong your dental cleaning, potentially impacting your examination.

  • Acidic foods and drinks — Sour fruits, including oranges, lemons, lime, and soft drinks, cause dental enamel to demineralize. This process may make your teeth sensitive and uncomfortable while in the dental chair, affecting your dentist’s ability to assess your oral health accurately.

  • Strongly colored foods — Certain foods can cause teeth to discolor. These include blueberries, beets, and red sauces. These stains obscure your dentist's view, and thus, he/she may be unable to see things like plaque deposits or early signs of decay.

  • Hard foods — It is also important not to consume hard substances, including candies and ice, as they can hurt your teeth. Do not consume these foods before your appointment, as they can lead to chipped teeth or dental discomfort, complicating your visit.

Opt for light, easily digestible options such as: 

  • Soft foods — Avocados and mashed potatoes are soft foods you can eat before a dental procedure. These are friendly options that are easy on your digestion system. You will thus be more comfortable during the procedure.

  • Lean proteins — You should eat lean proteins like chicken breast, fish, or eggs. These provide nutrients without being too heavy, help maintain energy, and assist digestion.

  • Low-fat foods — Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain products. High-fat foods can slow digestion and increase the risk of nausea, especially if you need to fast before the procedure.

  • Hydrating foods — Eat foods that contain a lot of water, like cucumbers, watermelon, and soups. Drinking water can make you feel good and calm and help with digestion.

  • Complex carbohydrates — Include sweet potatoes, yams, and whole grains. These provide a continuous energy supply and do not bring about any form of discomfort.

Why You Should Avoid Eating Before a Major Dental Procedure

You should avoid food for several reasons before major dental procedures, especially those with anesthesia. Anesthesia can often cause nausea, and having food in your stomach raises the risk of vomiting. In case you vomit, food particles are likely to go into your lungs, which is unhealthy. Anesthesia affects your swallowing reflex, making it easier for food to go down the windpipe, leading to breathing difficulties or infections. This risk is reduced if your stomach is empty, thus keeping you safe during the procedure. 

Consuming food before the procedure can also be problematic since it may cause discomfort. Eating might make it difficult to stay comfortably reclined and affect the effectiveness of anesthesia. Food in the stomach slows the effectiveness of the anesthetic, so it is advisable to fast so that the anesthesia works well. 

If you are going to be put under general anesthesia or sedation before the dental surgery, you should fast at least 5 hours before the surgery. This fasting period is crucial to reduce the likelihood of complications and improve the course of the procedure. 

Skip the Makeup

As much as you want to look your best for a dental visit, skipping your makeup for this day is reasonable. Not wearing makeup, especially around the mouth, keeps your dentist’s working area as clean as possible. When you are at the dentist, your dentist works around your lips, chin, and cheeks. Makeup can interfere with this. The makeup could smudge or rub off, which may cause discomfort or complicate the procedure.

Most dental procedures require water sprays and suction, among other equipment that could interfere with your makeup. For example, makeup can smudge or be washed off during the cleaning or other more thorough process. Going without it enables the dentist to see the natural color of your skin, which helps assess your health and identify any potential issues.

Moreover, not wearing makeup prevents those particles from getting into your mouth or eyes, thus reducing the risk of being irritated or experiencing an allergic reaction. 

Avoid Self-Medication Before a Dental Appointment

While it is expected to develop anxiety when going for a dental appointment, you should avoid taking medicine or alcohol to overcome this. When you take some medication without informing your dentist, you risk suffering some complications when the procedure starts. Some drugs could either interfere with the effects of anesthesia or complicate your treatment during the operation. 

Likewise, getting a drink before your visit can be a problem. Alcohol could also interact with anesthesia and other medications, making them ineffective and posing higher risks of side effects. It can also lead to dehydration, which complicates your treatment. 

Do not resort to treating your anxiety on your own. Talk to your dentist about it. Many dental practices have measures in place to deal with stress, including customized sedation or calming methods. Discussing with your dentist is very important because it is possible to devise other safer and more efficient ways of handling your anxiety so that your treatment can be as comfortable as possible. 

Avoid Smoking 

Smoking is generally harmful to your health, and you should especially avoid it before a dental procedure. The substances contained in cigarettes, like nicotine and other chemicals, can affect your dental treatment in the following ways:

  • Smoking impairs healing by restricting blood flow to your gums — This delays your recovery time and exposes your gums to other health issues like infections and slow healing.

  • Smoking interferes with anesthesia — The chemicals in cigarettes can also interfere with how your body processes anesthesia. It makes them less effective, thus causing pain during the anesthetic procedure.

  • Smoking affects oral hygiene — Smoking worsens the conditions of the mouth and teeth. It contributes to the formation of tartar and gingivitis, making dental procedures more difficult and contributing to other issues. Smokers are also at a higher risk of staining their teeth, which may impact cosmetic procedures.

Smoking also extends to smoking marijuana or weed. It is not advisable to smoke marijuana before you attend your dental appointment. Cannabis has an impact on your treatment in several ways, including:

  • Smoking weed can lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of anesthesia. The substances present in cannabis could interact with anesthetic agents and make the numbing not as effective as desired and painful during the process.

  • Cannabis use can lead to dry throats because it inhibits saliva secretion. You should not allow your mouth to remain dry because saliva plays a very important role in oral health. It helps to neutralize acids, wash food particles from teeth and gums, and protect them. A dry mouth could complicate your treatment.

  • Smoking weed affects your ability to coordinate yourself and think rationally. This impairment could affect the ability to comprehend pre-procedure instructions and cooperate during the appointment, thus posing certain risks.

You should also avoid taking marijuana through edibles or other ways.

Prepare Your Children 

You should prepare your children for the dental procedures if you want a successful visit. Explain what will happen in simple, age-appropriate terms to ease their anxiety. To overcome this, you can engage your child in role play or read stories that depict dental visits in a familiar setting. This is very important because when your children know what to expect from the procedure, you can go through the process with a positive attitude. If they understand why the visit is necessary and what will happen, they will be willing to cooperate and maintain good oral hygiene. 

Let your children prepare for the appointment by encouraging them to ask questions or state what they are afraid of. Answering their questions also creates confidence and ensures they are comfortable with the procedure. Open communication reduces their anxiety and helps them feel more in control.

A well-prepared child will not be surprised or unsettled during the visitation. Adequate preparation makes the process easier for you, your child, and the dentist. 

Get Some Good Night's Sleep 

Part of the preparations includes having a good night's sleep. A good rest will help the body and mind be ready and thus make the experience better. It also means that you are well-rested and can easily deal with the anxiety and stress of the appointment. When you are well rested, you are not easily agitated, which makes the visit less threatening and more doable. 

Moreover, getting enough sleep will enhance your capacity to deal with pain during and after the procedure. A well-rested body can cope with stress and pain, hence the need for other forms of pain relief. It also helps to improve cognitive functions and the general level of alertness of the body. It can help you understand your dentist’s recommendations and instructions and voice any issues, thus ensuring that your dental care team can do the best for you. 

Remember that sleep also helps with quick healing after the procedure. People who sleep well have fewer complications and a shorter recovery time, making the process easy. 

Ask Someone to Accompany You to the Dentist

It is best to identify someone to take you to and be with after your dental appointment, especially if you are to be given sedation or anesthesia. These treatments could affect the ability to coordinate, response time, and even judgment, which is dangerous if you have to drive. Even if you feel fully awake, the effects can still be dangerous in one way or another. Having a trusted person to transport you reduces the risks associated with accidents on the road. 

Also, having a driver helps reduce the pressure accompanying the appointment. While performing the procedure itself, you do not need to worry about how to get there with someone else handling the car. This puts you at ease, which is important if you are anxious or nervous about the visit. 

A companion also assists with post-procedure side effects in the first few minutes or hours. Some side effects of sedation include drowsiness, discomfort, or confusion after the procedure. Your driver can solve these problems, and you will not have problems when going from the dental office to your home, thus making the recovery process more manageable. 

Find a Dentist Near Me

Dental appointments, especially major procedures, often spark anxiety. However, thorough preparation can significantly ease this stress. Getting the details of your visit right sets the stage for a more comfortable and efficient experience. 

At La Puente Advanced Dentistry, we believe in and ensure that all dental procedures are as comfortable and manageable as possible. Our services are tailored to suit and address your dental problems effectively. Be sure also to consider all the dos and don'ts discussed above. Should you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment, call us at 626-626-7075 for assistance.