What to Expect at Your First Dental Appointment

What Will Happen During the Dental Examination

Once you go through to the examination room, you’ll meet your dentist who should do everything they can to help you through any nerves you may be experiencing. You’ll have a chat about your dental history and any problems or goals you may have. Then it’s time for the physical exam.

This will involve tools such as a dental mirror so the dentist can see all areas of your mouth with ease and various probes to check the health of your teeth and gums. Seeing all these tools laid out can make people nervous, but during a routine examination there shouldn’t be any pain. Some people find having their mouths open wide a little uncomfortable, and you may have some discomfort when the dentist inspects your gums depending on their condition.

What to expect during your exam:

• Physical examination using mirrors and probes (painless for routine checkups)
• X-rays to see beneath the surface and understand your mouth’s structure
• Optional cleaning (can be scheduled for a separate visit if preferred) 
• Discussion about any immediate concerns or discomfort

If you’re feeling apprehensive about this part of the process, let your dentist know and they’ll be able to use distraction techniques to help take your mind off it. They will be as quick as they can during the examination, and if you need to take some breaks, they should accommodate you.

After the examination, it’s likely that your dentist will take x-rays. As it’s your first appointment with them, this lets the dentist see what’s going on under the surface of your teeth, such as small cavities, and helps them understand the structure of your mouth. After this first appointment, you’ll likely have x-rays every 2 years, though some patients need them more often. X-rays are quick and painless, so they’re nothing to worry about.

Some patients also have a cleaning after their first examination, but this is entirely up to you and your dental team. Some patients don’t want to spend too long in the clinic for their first visit and just want to meet the team and get comfortable with the setting. Dental cleanings are recommended at least once a year for good plaque reduction and improved oral hygiene, but you can always book this for another time.

Understanding Your Treatment Plan & Next Steps

Once your first examination is complete, your dentist will discuss your ongoing treatment plan with you. You should know that you can ask questions at any time while they’re going through next steps to ensure you both feel confident with the plan.

Your treatment plan will include any issues like cavities or alignment problems and explain in detail how they will be addressed. This helps you understand the cost involved and how many appointments you’ll need to schedule to fit in with your other commitments.

Your treatment plan will cover: 

• Priority issues requiring immediate attention
• Cosmetic goals (whitening, alignment) as secondary priorities
• Preventive care recommendations
• Timeline and cost breakdown for all procedures

If you’ve discussed cosmetic goals with your dentist, such as teeth whitening, these will be included too but will be lower down the priority list than more important structural work. A good foundation is needed before cosmetic work is undertaken, but if you’re unsure why certain decisions have been made, it’s perfectly fine to speak up and ask for an explanation.

Your dentist is the one drawing up the plan, but you should view it as a collaboration. If the financial cost is difficult, speak to your dentist about breaking up the procedures over time.

If you don’t have any major issues when you attend your first appointment, you’ll still have a treatment plan to ensure your oral health is maintained. This can be adjusted depending on your goals and any issues that arise in the future. Your dentist is also likely to give you advice on caring for your teeth between appointments. Following this advice and sticking to your treatment plan is the best way to maintain good oral health.

Special Considerations for Children’s First Appointments

If it’s a child’s first appointment, this same process applies, although you’ll be filling in all their medical paperwork as their guardian. The dentist likely won’t go into as much detail on a treatment plan because children’s mouths change quickly, making it harder to predict what treatment will be needed in a few months.

Most dental clinics offer special accommodations to ensure your child has a positive first impression, such as child-friendly waiting areas with bright walls and toys, TVs on the ceiling showing cartoons during examinations, and allowing comfort items like teddy bears. You’ll be able to stay with your child for most of the process, though you may need to step out briefly for x-rays.

Whether it’s you or your child, you should leave your first dental appointment feeling comfortable with the team and clear on your next treatment steps. At Dental @ Niddrie, we pride ourselves on patient care from our warm, friendly staff to our cutting-edge equipment. Whether it’s your first appointment or you’ve been with us for years, we’ll greet you like an old friend and ensure you feel comfortable while you’re with us.