Top 3 Best Things About Visiting the Dentist

If you’re like sixty-eight percent of Americans, you put off going to the dentist longer than you should.

Although it is recommended for everyone to visit their local dentist twice a year for routine cleaning, only twelve percent of Americans report that they make their biannual visit.

Thirty five percent of people polled said that they only went to the dentist when they were in serious pain. More than half of these people said that they almost always ended up having major work done when they did stop by.

It can be hard to see the benefits to getting your teeth looked at by a professional. Many of us have fears of being in the chair that extend way back, all the way to our childhoods. It can be hard to break that association.

But it’s important to try, because there are so many benefits we can see in our everyday lives if we commit to routine dental care.

In this article, we’re going to talk about three things that totally rock about visiting the dentist. 

Catching Up On Your Reading

When was the last time you left work in the middle of the day and just sat around reading magazines? Sure, it’s not quite as fun as ditching work to go to the movies, but it’s a lot more responsible.

Most waiting rooms come equipped with magazines to keep you entertained while you wait. Just sit back and enjoy it. When was the last time you got to read Guns and Ammo? Or O, the Oprah Magazine? Even if it’s not your normal flavor of reporting, why not sample it while you’re there?

You may find a great recipe for how to make pretzel sticks look spooky for a kid’s Halloween party or an interesting expose about the public water system in Racine, Michigan. Maybe you’ll see a great picture of Seth Rogan carrying paper towels out of a department store in the Stars: They’re Just Like US! Column in US Weekly.

Whatever it is you find yourself getting interested in, don’t forget to listen for your name!

New Technology

If it’s been a while since you’ve had your teeth x-rayed, you’re in for a bit of a pleasant surprise.

Remember when you used to have to bite down on a plastic plate in order for the technicians to be able to take a picture of your teeth? It could be uncomfortable or downright painful trying to get that plate all the way in the back of your jaw.

Well, you’ll be happy to know that the process is much faster and more comfortable these days.

Now a technician will instruct you to stand in the center of a large machine. You will be directed to hold onto two handles to help you keep your face in place. You will bite down on a small plate and keep your jaw in one position for the duration of the imaging.

You will not have to wait for it to be adjusted several times in order to take a series of pictures. Instead, the camera on the arm of the machine will make a loop around the front of your face, scanning as it goes. The whole process only takes a few seconds.

This is just one of the ways that dentistry has advanced in the last few years. Click here for more information about this process.

A bonus technological innovation is one we can all enjoy. Many offices now feature a chair that is positioned below a monitor. You may be able to play Netflix or other streaming services from your device to help distract you while the doctor is at work. Pretty neat, right?

Showing off Your Smile

The best thing about going to the dentist is about the end result.

Whether you’re in for a cleaning or because you’re getting new implants, you’re going to walk out the door feeling like a new person.

Our smile says so much about us. It can draw people to us and help communicate beyond our words. So when we’re self-conscious about our smiles, it’s like a part of us is missing.

If you’ve ever been missing a tooth, or had one damaged in an accident, you may have found yourself covering your mouth when you laughed. You may have even, over time, noticed that you didn’t smile as much in order to conceal the things you didn’t like about your smile. 

Yes, the best thing about going to the dentist can be the opportunity to bring your real self back.

In fact, there are even places that offer twenty-four hour smiles. That means instead of waiting for up to ten months for your implants, you’ll get them within a day of extraction.  Check out Nuvia Smiles to find out more about this process.

Bonus: The Toy Chest

If you’re reading this article, you may be a little too old to appreciate the wonders of going through the toy chest.

Many dentists have a prize box or goodie grab bag located by the exit. They often keep stickers, pencils, or other small toys there for the children that behaved well during their visit.

You may have fond memories of picking out the best tooth-related sticker to go onto your school binder. Even if you’re too old to get offered a treat, you can surely keep an eye out for it on your next visit. Maybe it will give you a nostalgic blast back to the past.

It seems like self-care is on everyone’s radar these days. People love talking about lighting a vanilla scented candle as being self-care. Or how turning off your phone for a few hours can be self-care. And while those things are great, we know that Americans are ignoring a more pressing problem.

One of the best ways to take care of you is to make sure that your teeth and jaw remain healthy for years to come. Do yourself a favor and make an appointment at your dentist today

Recommended: Why You Should Have a Family Dentist: Benefits and Advantages