Blog

What to Expect From Your First Dental Appointment

Posted by Dr. Julie Boudreault On 7-06-2023

Routine dental appointments are a key component to maintaining a healthy smile for life. However, it’s normal for patients to feel anxious before setting foot into the dental office for their scheduled visit. This is especially true if they are seeing a new dentist or haven’t visited the dental office in a while.

This article will go over what you can expect from your first dental appointment at Milltown Dental. When you become informed and aware of the standard procedures that take place at our dental office, you can feel more relaxed and confident about your visit with us!

What to Expect When You Arrive at Milltown Dental

Upon arriving at our dental clinic in Milton, you’ll first be greeted by a friendly staff member at the front desk to check-in. You may need to fill out some necessary patient paperwork and have an opportunity to discuss and verify insurance if applicable. Our team will be notified about your arrival, and you will kindly be asked to briefly take a seat in the waiting room.

Once we are ready for you, you will be escorted from the waiting room into a treatment room. This is when you will be asked to go over your medical and dental history with us and when you should fill us in about any oral health issues or concerns you may be dealing with, as this will be critical information for us to know.

After discussing potential concerns and goals, our dental assistant may recommend that you have a series of digital X-ray images taken for our dentist to get a clearer idea of what’s happening inside your mouth. However, if you’re concerned about radiation exposure from X-ray machines, there is no need to be.

Today’s modern digital radiography machines, such as the one we employ at Milltown Dental, are extremely safe and typically emit less radiation than what the average person would receive in a day from the natural environment.

What to Expect During Your Dental Examination

Every routine dental visit includes an oral examination portion performed by our dentist and a cleaning portion performed by our hygienist (although you may not receive this cleaning during your first visit).

During the examination portion of your visit, our Milton dentist, Dr. Julie Boudreault, will review your dental and medical history with you, in addition to assessing the radiographic images of your teeth, if applicable.

Dr. Boudreault will take a look inside of your mouth to examine your teeth and gums for any potential problem areas, which may include areas of demineralization or decay, indications of gum disease, or signs of damage or wear.

Furthermore, our dentist will perform a routine oral cancer screening (recommended for patients to undergo once a year), which involves an examination of the neck, jaw, tongue, and tissues inside the mouth, each tooth individually, gum exam, photos, scan with either the Itero or Prime scan.

Once Dr. Boudreault has completed this thorough examination of your mouth, she may decide whether you require treatment for a specific dental concern or multiple ones. This is when she will recommend a personalized treatment plan for you or may simply inform you about any necessary next steps or procedures that will play a key role in ensuring the health of your teeth.

What to Expect During Your Teeth Cleaning

During the hygiene portion of your visit, you will first have a chance to discuss any oral hygiene concerns that you may have with our dental hygienist, such as any sensitivities with brushing and/or flossing. During the cleaning, our hygienist will perform a scaling treatment using a scaler to eliminate plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums.

Following this procedure, she will polish your teeth using a polishing paste along with a rotating brush or a rubber cup to smooth out the enamel and remove any stains that may be remaining. To complete the treatment, our hygienist will give your teeth and gums a good flossing, and a fluoride treatment may be applied to help strengthen the tooth enamel and protect it from decay.

Throughout your dental cleaning, our hygienist may provide tips or advice on how you can make improvements to your at-home oral hygiene routine, including instructions on proper brushing and flossing techniques or habits. She may even recommend additional treatment(s) if your teeth are in need of further care.

At the end of your visit, you will be provided with an oral hygiene kit containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. You will be escorted out of the treatment room to the front desk, where you can book any follow-up appointments and review financing options.

Reach Out to Our Team at Milltown Dental Today

Are your teeth due for some professional oral health care and maintenance? It’s best not to put off your appointment for any longer.

To schedule your dental visit with our expert Milton dentist, Dr. Julie Boudreault, please call Milltown Dental at 833-318-3281 or contact us here.

9 Comments

Share Us On