Visits to the Dentist

Whether you love or loathe going to the dentist, you know a visit every six months for a checkup is a good idea. If you’re like us, we can snap our fingers and instantly think of five other things we’d rather do, but we go anyway because we always leave with a broad smile and healthier teeth.

To make our visits the best they can be, quality dental professionals — dentists, hygienists and dental assistants — adhere consistently to cleanliness procedures (hand washing, for example). They also always wear dental safety glasses regularly since they know Eye Safety in a Dental Office is a must.

Partnering With Professionals

What can we as patients do to partner with our dental professionals in their efforts to promote a healthy and safe environment for the care of our teeth?

Dentist and Patient Wearing Safety Glasses

  • Wear safety eyewear during dental care. Request safety glasses or bring your own.
  • Refrain from visiting the dentist when you’re sick. From small cold to the stomach flu, dental work can wait until you’re better.
  • Try not to touch more than is necessary. Keep your germs to yourself, and avoid picking up germs from others as possible.
  • Tell your dentist about any cold sores or cuts in your mouth. Your dentist and hygienist will do their best to avoid aggravating it as well as the germs the sore contains.
  • Brush and floss before your visit. A clean mouth is not only excellent hygiene, but it gives your dentist a clearer picture of your dental health.

While a healthy and safe dental office is the responsibility of dental professionals, patients can partner with them in that effort. It really only takes some straightforward approaches such as those listed above.

Professional Advice?

Are you a dental professional? We’d love to hear more ways that patients can help increase dentist office hygiene and make those six-month checkups a breeze. Take off your dental safety glasses and rubber gloves, and leave a comment below.