Access to oral health services is a blessing, and your dental professional is there to help you. Visiting the dentist can cause anxiety and stress for many people. However, the experience is usually smoother than the anticipation. There are a few tips that you can follow before scheduling a dental appointment. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on what to do and what to avoid before your dentist appointment.
When to Eat Before Your Dental Appointment
In many situations, you can eat before your dental appointment with a few restrictions, of course. If your visit is for a routine cleaning and examination, you are typically allowed to eat beforehand. However, it's important to resume your regular eating routine only after brushing your teeth. This is because brushing and flossing help to remove any food particles trapped between your teeth, making it easier for your dentist to work during your appointment.
When It's Not Appropriate to Eat Right Before a Dental Appointment
While many people are fortunate enough to eat before their next dental checkup, others are not so lucky. Some individuals have to wait a few hours before they can eat before visiting the dentist. If you have a dental operation, anesthetic, or blood test scheduled, it is important not to eat beforehand.
When under anesthesia, your body's reflexes momentarily stop, and having food in your stomach can cause nausea or vomiting. The nutrients and minerals in one's diet and beverages can affect the levels of blood tests. If you're unsure whether you should eat before your appointment, you should ask your dentist. They will provide you with all the necessary information before you enter.
Recommended Duration of Time To Avoid Eating Before Dental Surgery
The next thing to consider is how long you should refrain from eating before certain dentist appointments. It is recommended to avoid eating for at least five hours before any dental procedures or anesthesia are administered. This gives your body enough time to digest the food in your stomach and helps prevent any issues with the anesthesia.
What To Eat the Night Before Dental Surgery
You may not have considered it, but it's important to think about your final meal before dental surgery. The same applies to multi-hour dental appointments. Having dental work done is already stressful, and it's best not to add hunger to the mix. You can have a final meal before dental surgery that is high in protein. This can include foods such as fish, poultry, eggs, beans, soy, and others. Increasing your protein intake will help you feel fuller for longer and prevent excessive hunger.
How to Take Care of Your Teeth Before a Dental Appointment
It makes sense to want your teeth to look their best while you're getting ready for a dental appointment. Nobody enjoys the embarrassment of having plaque or food particles stuck in their teeth. Before a dental appointment, it is important to maintain proper oral hygiene. This can be done by flossing, brushing, and gargling with fluoride mouthwash. Mouthwash helps to refresh the mouth while flossing and brushing effectively removes any food particles that may be caught between the teeth.
Unfortunately, there isn't a simple way to have flawless teeth on the big day. The best defense against unsightly teeth is consistent daily dental hygiene, which includes using mouthwash, flossing, and brushing. The more you prioritize these habits, the better your teeth will look at your next dentist appointment.
Things to Avoid Doing Before a Dental Appointment
There is a list of things you should and shouldn't do at your appointment to ensure both your safety and the safety of your dentist. By avoiding certain items, you can simplify both your job and the tasks of the dentist. Before your dental consultation, you can refrain from doing the following:
Not Getting Your Teeth Brushed
It is crucial to brush your teeth the night before any dental appointment for two reasons. First, it helps reduce bacteria and plaque buildup on your gums and teeth, which can save time during the cleaning process. Second, it helps prevent bad breath, which can be bothersome to both you and your dental professional.
Taking in Sugary Drinks
Consuming a lot of sugar-filled beverages before a dental consultation can interfere with the blood tests conducted for examinations. These tests provide dentists with vital information about your white blood cell count and glucose level, which is beneficial in providing appropriate care.
For example, a comprehensive set of blood tests can help the dentist determine if any additional precautions are needed during your oral surgery, especially if you have diabetes or an inflammatory disease. Additionally, depending on the nature of your treatment or the location within your oral cavity, a thorough series of pre-dental exams can help address specific issues.
Sugary drinks cause an increase in blood glucose levels, which in turn lowers the pH in your mouth. One common dental test that can be affected by low pH levels is plaque analysis. Therefore, to ensure the safety and accuracy of all tests during your dental consultation, it is recommended to avoid consuming sugary meals and beverages beforehand.
Taking Food Right Before Surgery
Before undergoing any type of surgery, it is strongly recommended that you fast for at least 8 hours. This allows your body enough time to digest any food that may have been in your stomach before the surgery.
Eating right before surgery can have adverse effects, including nausea and vomiting, due to the combination of anesthetics with food particles. Moreover, your body will need to work harder than usual to eliminate toxins from the bloodstream, which can result in a longer recovery time from anesthesia after surgery.
Consuming Anything That Causes Teeth Sensitivity
When teeth are sensitive, certain foods, beverages, and temperatures can cause discomfort or irritation. It is advisable to avoid any meals or beverages that could make your teeth feel sensitive when you visit the dentist. Not only will this help you feel more comfortable during the appointment, but it will also allow our dental professionals to accurately assess the current state of your oral health.
Excessive Use of Cosmetic Products
Applying makeup can be a regular part of your day, but it can also have an impact on the doctor's work. For example, during a cavity-filling surgery, the doctor may need to hold your face still for a few minutes. If you're wearing a lot of makeup, it could transfer onto the doctor's gloves and any medical equipment being used.
This disarray may make it more difficult to handle medical equipment and could potentially jeopardize patient care. To ensure that every dental appointment is stress-free, please refrain from wearing excessive makeup.
Putting on Fitting Clothing
Depending on the treatment, a patient may need to stay in one position for an extended period. Wearing tight clothes that cling to the body or restrict movement can lead to excessive sweating and trap heat close to the skin. This not only causes discomfort but can also result in skin irritation.
Loose-fitting clothing is usually made from lightweight, breathable fabric that allows for air circulation and helps maintain a comfortable body temperature. Additionally, wearing loose clothing allows for greater freedom of movement, reducing the risk of muscle strain when in potentially uncomfortable positions during treatment. This makes it easier to stay still for longer periods without being distracted by the discomfort caused by tight clothing pressing against various parts of the body.
Taking Alcohol
Alcohol affects the body in various ways, ranging from minor to severe. Consuming alcohol can lead to numerous health problems, including dehydration, exhaustion, decreased coordination, mood swings, and depression. These issues can vary depending on the quantity and frequency of alcohol use. When it comes to dental procedures like surgery, the harmful consequences of alcohol use are amplified. Drinking alcohol before dental work can shorten the healing period and increase bleeding during the procedure.
Alcohol can hinder the absorption of anesthetic, reducing the amount that enters your system. As a result, you may need stronger doses of anesthesia during dental surgery to achieve optimal results. Additionally, the effects of anesthesia may take longer to kick in, which means you'll likely spend more time in the doctor's office.
Smoking
Smoking can lead to numerous oral health problems, including gum disease, tooth discoloration, and an increased risk of oral cancer. However, the negative effects of tobacco extend beyond just our mouths. It can also have detrimental effects on our bodies, such as heart and lung conditions, a higher risk of stroke, a weakened immune system, and reduced fertility.
Smoking can greatly hinder the effectiveness of dental procedures such as fillings or surgery. This is because smoking reduces oxygen and blood flow to the body's tissues, increasing the likelihood of surgical complications. Additionally, smokers may experience longer recovery times due to their compromised immune systems. Furthermore, tobacco smoking raises the risk of infection following surgery.
Using Pain Relievers
Controlling your pain before your visit could seem like a smart idea, but it can be ineffective. Painkillers have the potential to mask the underlying problem, making it more challenging for us to identify and address any issues.
A competent dentist takes the time to evaluate the needs of each patient to provide the best possible care. Their main focus is always ensuring that patients are comfortable during their visit. Dentists are aware of the anxiety and nervousness that some patients may experience, so they strive to create a peaceful atmosphere and address any concerns or health issues that patients may have.
To ensure that patients receive the appropriate treatment for any discomfort they experience during specific operations, a dentist can also discuss the various anesthetic options available. These options include oral sedatives, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), local anesthetics, and general anesthesia.
Clothing to Avoid Before Your Dental Appointment
There is a dress code that needs to be followed when visiting the dentist because it is not an occasion to make an impression on others. While you may feel tempted to dress to impress, remember that some outfits may not be practical.
When visiting the dentist, it's best to avoid wearing anything too tight, expensive, or uncomfortable. Instead, opt for something cozy and affordable. Since you'll likely be lying down for a while, wearing comfortable attire will help you feel more at peace during your visit.
Dentists make every effort to maintain a clean workstation, but mishaps sometimes happen. If you want to avoid any accidental spills on your clothes, it's probably not the best idea to wear them on this particular day.
Tips for Relaxing and Getting Comfortable Before Oral Surgery
Many people experience anxiety before dental procedures for unknown reasons. However, knowing that you are not alone in feeling this way doesn't make you feel any less stressed. Before your dentist appointment, you can relax by doing the following:
- To alleviate the feeling of being overwhelmed, try practicing deep breathing techniques.
- Inform your dentist about your anxiety, and they will support you in overcoming this challenging time.
- To receive moral support, try to have a friend or family member accompany you.
- Setting up early appointments facilitates getting things done and prevents overanalyzing.
- Arriving punctually allows you to relax and prevents the stress of being rushed.
To convey your feelings of anxiety to your dentist, you can make an anxious hand gesture. If they notice this signal during your appointment, they can pause, provide comfort, and help ease your anxiety. Additionally, when you're feeling anxious, consider other relaxation techniques that could help you. The more effort you put into relaxing, the better your overall oral health experience will be.
Find a Dentist Near Me
A skilled dentist can assist you in achieving a beautiful and healthy smile, and our team at Washington Dental offers a wide range of dental procedures. From routine cleanings to root canals and crowns, we are dedicated to ensuring that every smile looks its best. Our dentists provide services throughout the Carson, Torrance, Lomita, and Los Angeles areas. Call us at 310-217-1507 to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists.
