There are several things that you can do to prepare yourself for a visit to the dentist that is going to include a tooth filling.
Visiting the dentist can be one of the most difficult and anxiety-provoking tasks that you have to do to keep yourself healthy. Generally, you should visit the dentist at least twice per year for a cleaning and to check for issues. Most people don’t mind these visits. However, you may also need to visit the dentist when something is wrong, especially if you have a cavity and need to get a tooth filling. There is nothing unusual about suffering from dental anxiety and, if you do, remember that you’re not alone. There are several things that you can do to prepare yourself for a visit to the dentist that is going to include a tooth filling. Read on to learn more.
Understanding Why You’re Getting A Filling
One way to decrease or limit the anxiety you’re experiencing about the trip to the dentist is to understand exactly why you’re going. If you need a tooth filling, it is because you have tooth decay. In most cases, this tooth decay causes a cavity and causes pain in the tooth or the mouth. When something hurts, it is natural to resist having someone look at or touch it, but removing the decay and filling in the cavity that was created is the best way to stop the pain. Also, leaving tooth decay unchecked can cause other serious health problems like infections.
Understanding The Process For Getting A Filling
Just like it can help your anxiety to understand why you’re going to the dentist, it can help to understand what will likely happen when you get there. The first step to getting a tooth filling is to drill out the decayed portion so that there is no more decayed or decaying tissue left in the cavity. Typically this is done after you get a Novocain shot, which is a numbing agent so that you don’t feel any potential pain from the drilling process. Once the decayed tissue is gone, they flush out the cavity so there is no debris or bacteria to get trapped inside. Finally, they fill the cavity with the filling material (typically a silver amalgam or composite) that usually goes in in layers and gets cured with a special light. The final step is to shape and polish the surface of the filling material so that it looks and feels like a natural tooth.
Preparing For Your Visit
Finally, the last thing that you should do to prepare for your tooth filling is to brush your teeth. This is especially important if your visit is later in the day. Make sure that your dentist has a clean mouth to work in. And then, once you get there, be honest with your dentist about your anxiety. They understand how frightening the process can be for some people, and they may be able to help.
You Can Trust Olney Dental for All of Your Dental Care Needs
For all of your oral care questions and concerns, Olney Dental has the expertise and professionalism to get them the answers they need. Olney Dental is ready to supply you with expert service in a professional environment. Schedule an appointment online today! For more information on how we can give your family the best dentist experience available, give us a call at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online. For more dental tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest.