At Cuffley Village Dental we’re always happy to see people step into our practice, but we know that most of you are not equally pleased to see us. And we understand why. When you come for a visit, it usually means there is something wrong with your teeth and that’s not a pleasant thing. Or you may just be seeing us for your routine dental visit. Even so, it’s no one’s idea of a good time to have a stranger (or at least not someone you’re intimately acquainted with), poking and prodding around in your mouth.
That why we’ve put our heads together at Cuffley Village Dental Practice and come up with a few ideas for making your experience with us, or any other dentist you may see, a bit less unpleasant.
1. Clean your teeth properly before you see the dentist.
Yes, we know you’ve heard this one before, but it really can make a difference to your overall experience. It will mean we can focus on the really important stuff and you’ll feel more confident on the dentist’s chair. You may also want to avoid having strong smelling foods (like garlic, onions or cheese) before your visit.
2. Do some jaw relaxing exercises.
Keeping your mouth wide open for an extended period of time is quite unnatural for most of us. As a result you may experience some discomfort during your dental treatment. Doing a few simple jaw exercises can help relieve some of this.
Simply open your jaw as wide as you can a few times to stretch the muscles. You can also hold your thumb against your chin and push your jaw against it in all four directions: up, down, left and right. But remember, you’re always in charge and can tell your dentist or dental hygienist when you need a break.
3. Keep sugar, coffee and other stimulants to a minimum.
Yes, all of the above will stain or otherwise damage your teeth. But for a change, that’s not why we’re mentioning it. You may not have considered this before, but since you have to sit in the dentist’s chair for quite a long time while we either clean your teeth, give you a filling or perform whatever other dental procedure may have brought us to our practice, your energy levels will contribute significantly to how you experience your visit. The last thing you want is to get fidgety and uncomfortable when you’re half-way through a root canal.
Have a balanced meal or healthy snack before your visit and try to stave off anything that typically makes you feel perky and energised.
4. Make a note of any things you want to mention.
Even if you usually have a great memory, it’s a good idea to note down any questions you may want to ask your dentist or dental hygienist before your visit. Then make a point of discussing these. Most of our patients only see us twice a year, so making that one visit count is really important to us and to them.
Keep smiling,
The Cuffley Village Dental Team