Haven’t been to the dentist in some time, and stressed out about going again? You don’t have to be — no judgement — but here are a few things to do to help you get back into the dental routine.
- Start small: Floss just one tooth. After a week or so, you’ll start to notice that it feels a lot better, and you’ll be able to increase the routine to other teeth and eventually your whole mouth. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to be willing to stick to a routine.
- Convenience: If going to the dentist is already an emotional struggle, don’t make it a physical one as well. Try to find a dentist you like near you, or if that doesn’t work, find a dentist near a favourite store or a friend’s house. When you make appointments for the dentist, make a plan to go to the store afterwards or meet your friend for something fun. You’ll get two things done in one visit!
- Game It: Sometimes we have to go back to our roots, and we need tangible results. If your mouth is sensitive, focus on one area and put all your brushing habits there. When you get a positive result — celebrate! Your teeth are that much better, and this can be an opportunity to treat yourself to something nice.
- Find The Right Dentist: Your comfort matters — because if you’re not comfortable with your current dentist, no wonder you don’t want to go! Do your research and find a dentist who talks to you as a person, not just about your teeth. If you struggle with dentalphobia, consider finding a dentist with a therapy dog, who will be able to comfort you as you’re going through the appointment
