prepares for a dentist visit

• January 28 2023

Prepares for a dentist visit

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How to Prepare for Your First Visit to the Dentist: A Comprehensive Guide

• May 18, 2023

Going to the dentist for the first time can be a scary and nerve-wracking experience for anyone. You may be wondering what to expect, what to do, and what to bring with you. However, with a little bit of preparation and knowledge, you can make your first visit to the dentist as stress-free and comfortable as possible.

So, how can you prepare for your first visit to the dentist? First, make sure to schedule your appointment well in advance, and let the receptionist know that you are a new patient. Next, gather any medical history or insurance information you may need to bring with you. Lastly, ask any questions you may have beforehand to ease any anxieties and prepare yourself for the visit.

Preparing for Your First Dental Visit: Why it’s Important

Going to the dentist may not be something you look forward to, but it is an essential aspect of maintaining good oral health. Dental check-ups allow for early detection and treatment of any problems and prevent them from becoming more significant issues down the road.

It is recommended that you visit the dentist once every six months for a regular check-up, and if you are experiencing any problems such as pain, swelling, or bleeding, you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Neglecting your oral health can lead to serious issues such as gum disease, tooth decay, or even tooth loss, so it is vital to take proper care of your teeth.

Finding the Right Dentist for You

Choosing the right dentist can make all the difference in your dental experience. With so many dentists out there, it can be challenging to find the one that best suits your needs. One key factor to consider is the dentist’s experience and qualifications. Look for a dentist who has several years of experience and is updated with the latest dental techniques and technology.

Another crucial factor to consider is the location of the dentist’s office. Choose a dentist who is located conveniently close to your home or workplace, so it will be easy for you to schedule appointments and keep up with your regular check-ups.

Finally, consider the services the dentist provides. Do they offer the specific treatments you may need, such as braces or oral surgery? Having a dentist who can perform all the necessary procedures in one place can save you time and hassle in the long run.

What to Expect During Your Dental Visit

Knowing what to expect during your dental visit can help relieve any anxiety or nervousness you may be feeling about your first appointment. Here is a brief overview of what will happen:

• You will first be greeted by the receptionist, who will ask you to fill out some paperwork, including medical history and insurance information.
• Next, a dental assistant will call you back to the exam room where they will take x-rays and perform a cleaning.
• The dentist will then perform an exam, checking for cavities, gum disease, and any other dental issues.
• If a problem is found, the dentist will discuss treatment options with you and schedule a follow-up appointment.
• Finally, you will be given instructions on how to maintain good oral health and schedule your next regular check-up.

Preparing for Your Dental Appointment

Now that you know what to expect during your visit, it’s important to prepare yourself beforehand to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience. Here are some tips:

What to Bring:

Make sure to bring your insurance card, ID, and a list of any medications you are currently taking. If you have any previous dental records, you may want to bring those as well.

What to Wear:

Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy movement, and avoid wearing jewelry or other accessories that may interfere with the exam. It’s also a good idea to wear short sleeves to make it easier for the dentist and assistant to access your mouth and take x-rays.

How to Prepare:

If you’re feeling anxious or nervous about your appointment, consider practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or visualization. It may also be helpful to talk to your dentist about any concerns you have beforehand, so they can help put you at ease.

By following these tips and knowing what to expect during your visit, you can feel confident and prepared for your first dentist appointment.

Dental Insurance and Costs

Before visiting the dentist, it’s important to understand how your dental insurance policy works and what it covers. Check with your insurance provider to see what services are covered and any out-of-pocket costs you may incur. Some policies require a co-payment for certain procedures, while others have deductibles that must be met before coverage begins.

Additionally, it’s important to ask your dentist about payment options and what forms of payment are accepted. Some dental offices offer payment plans or financing options to help manage the cost of more extensive dental work. Be sure to inquire about these options beforehand so you can plan accordingly.

What Your Dentist Needs to Know About You

It’s crucial for your dentist to know about your medical history and any medications you are currently taking. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, can affect your dental health or the procedures your dentist may recommend. Additionally, some medications can impact your dental health or interact with medications given during dental treatments.

Be sure to inform your dentist of any surgeries, illnesses, or conditions you have been diagnosed with, as well as any current medications or allergies. This information will help your dentist develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and ensure your safety during dental procedures.

If you’re unsure about what information to share with your dentist, consider bringing a list of your medications and medical history to your appointment. This can help ensure that you don’t overlook any important details and allow for a more thorough assessment of your dental health.

Common Dental Procedures and Treatments

Knowing what to expect during a dental visit can help ease any anxiety you may have about the unknown. Some of the most common dental procedures include teeth cleaning, X-rays, and cavity filling.

Teeth Cleaning

A teeth cleaning is a preventive measure taken to remove plaque and tartar build-up that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. During a cleaning, the dental hygienist will use special tools to polish your teeth and remove any stains.

X-rays are commonly taken to help diagnose dental issues that may not be visible to the naked eye. These include cavities, impacted teeth, and bone loss. The amount of radiation exposure during a dental X-ray is very low, so there’s no need to worry about potential harm.

Cavity Filling

If your dentist finds a cavity during your visit, they will recommend a filling to prevent the cavity from getting worse. The procedure involves removing the decayed area and filling it with a material, such as silver amalgam or tooth-colored resin. The process is quick and usually doesn’t require any anesthesia.

Dealing with Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety is a common issue that can make visiting the dentist a stressful experience. Here are a few tips to help you manage your anxiety:

Communicate with Your Dentist

Let your dentist know about your anxiety before your appointment. They can work with you to find ways to make the experience more comfortable and may be able to prescribe medication to help you relax.

Breathing Techniques

Deep breathing exercises can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Try taking slow, deep breaths from your belly and exhaling slowly. This can help calm your nerves and decrease your heart rate.

Distraction Techniques

Bring headphones and listen to calming music or a podcast during the appointment. Some offices also offer TVs or tablets to help distract patients during the procedure.

With these tips in mind, you can be better prepared for your first visit to the dentist and feel confident in maintaining good oral health.

Caring for Your Teeth and Oral Health

One of the best ways to prepare for your first visit to the dentist is by adopting a regular daily routine for oral hygiene. This routine should include brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once a day to remove plaque, and using mouthwash to kill bacteria. These habits will help prevent cavities, gum diseases, and bad breath. Don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every three to four months as worn or frayed bristles won’t clean your teeth effectively.

Along with a regular daily routine, your diet plays an essential role in maintaining good oral health. Eating a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamins can help keep your teeth healthy and strong. Avoid sugary foods and beverages like candy, soda, and cakes as they can lead to tooth decay. Instead, opt for a healthier choice like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and dairy products. Drinking enough water also helps to clean your mouth and keep it hydrated.

In addition to good oral hygiene and a healthy diet, regular dental check-ups are crucial in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Visiting the dentist every six months can help detect any dental problems early and save you from expensive treatments in the future. Your dentist will also clean your teeth and advise you on any necessary dental procedures or hygiene practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should i bring to my first dental appointment.

On your first visit, it’s essential to bring your dental insurance information, a list of your medications, and any medical conditions you have. It’s also important to inform your dentist of any allergies you may have or any concerns you might have about your teeth or oral health.

Are dental x-rays safe?

Yes, dental x-rays are safe. Dentists use a minimal amount of radiation that poses no risk to your health. The American Dental Association recommends bitewing x-rays every two years and a full-mouth x-ray every three to five years, depending on your dental health.

What happens during a routine dental check-up?

During a routine check-up, your dentist will examine your mouth, teeth, and gums for any signs of decay, gum disease, or oral cancer. They will also clean your teeth and remove any plaque or tartar build-up. If any dental procedures are necessary, your dentist will discuss them with you and make any necessary recommendations.

Importance of Follow-Up Visits

Now that you have successfully completed your first visit to the dentist, it is important to understand the significance of follow-up visits to maintain good oral health. Regular dental check-ups can prevent oral health problems from developing into serious issues. Your dentist can detect and diagnose any early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and other potential problems that you may not be aware of. Regular dental check-ups can ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy and can help identify any problems that may require treatment before it becomes too late.

Dental check-ups are recommended every six months or as determined by your dentist’s assessment of your oral health. Children may need to visit the dentist more frequently, depending on their dental needs. During each follow-up visit, the dentist will carefully examine your mouth, teeth, and gums to look for any signs of decay, infection, inflammation, or other issues. They may also take X-rays to check for any issues that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Your Next Steps

Tips on how to schedule your next appointment.

Once you have completed your first visit, it is time to start thinking about scheduling your next appointment. Make sure to schedule visits well in advance, so that you don’t have to rush or squeeze in an appointment at the last minute. If you prefer to schedule appointments online, check if your dentist’s office has an online portal. If not, you can call or email the office and schedule an appointment that way. Make sure to let them know if you are experiencing any discomfort or have any concerns regarding your oral health.

The importance of following the recommended treatment plan

During your follow-up visits, your dentist may recommend specific treatments or procedures that will help maintain good oral health. Make sure to follow your dentist’s recommendations and adhere to the treatment plan. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to ask your dentist for further information. Following the recommended treatment plan can help prevent oral health problems from developing into serious issues and can ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy for years to come.

By understanding the importance of follow-up visits and adhering to the recommended treatment plan, you can maintain good oral health and enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile.

What to Expect During Your First Dental Appointment

Now that you have prepared yourself to visit the dentist, let us give you an idea of what to expect during your first visit.

Dental History

The dentist will ask you about your medical history and your dental history during the first visit. It is important to be honest about your dental habits, including how often you brush and floss, as well as any past dental procedures you’ve had. This information will help the dentist provide you with the best possible care.

In addition, you will be asked about any current dental problems or concerns you may have. Do you have a toothache? Are you experiencing sensitivity? Do your gums bleed when you brush? Make sure to share any dental concerns or issues you have with your dentist.

Finally, the dentist may also ask you about your diet and lifestyle habits, such as whether you smoke or chew tobacco, which may affect your oral health.

Dental Examination

After discussing your dental history and any concerns you may have, the dentist will conduct a thorough examination of your mouth. During the examination, the dentist will look for any signs of decay, gum disease, or other oral health issues. You may also receive dental x-rays to check for problems that may not be visible to the naked eye.

Based on the examination, the dentist will provide you with a diagnosis and treatment plan, if necessary. This may include recommendations for dental work, such as fillings, root canals, or extractions, as well as advice on how to improve your oral hygiene habits.

Now, armed with this knowledge, you are ready to take the first step towards maintaining a healthy and happy smile. Don’t forget to schedule your regular dental check-ups and cleanings to keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape!

Final Thoughts

Congratulations on taking the first step towards good dental health by scheduling your first visit to the dentist. It’s natural to feel a little nervous, but don’t worry! With these tips on how to prepare and what to expect, you’ll be well on your way to a successful appointment.

Remember to bring your insurance information, arrive early, and communicate any concerns or questions you may have with your dentist. Taking care of your oral health is an important part of overall wellness, so keep up with regular appointments and good dental habits at home. Best of luck on your journey to a healthy smile!

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First Visit to a Dentist: What to expect for your appointment

Dr. craig parlet.

• November 3, 2021

Home » First Visit to a Dentist: What to expect for your appointment

First Visit to a Dentist: What to Expect

I would like to share my ideas on what a first visit to the dentist should be like for the patient. With my 30 plus years of experience as a private practice general dentist to shape my views. I am continually striving to improve my abilities and methods, but I feel I have a good grasp of this procedure. 

Personally I don’t believe in scheduling a new patient examination with the hygienists and the Dr. appears for 5-10 minutes to do his evaluation. Rarely is this adequate time to perform a thorough evaluation of the patient’s oral health.

How Long is the First Visit to a Dentist?

I believe most new patients value the amount of time I allow for a new comprehensive patient evaluation, approximately 1 hour. We often receive compliments on how thorough the examination was. I enjoy getting to know the patients and hearing about their jobs, stresses, kids, hobbies, etc. I try to slowly build a relationship with my patients to get to know them and their priorities. 

Part of the fun of being a healthcare provider is discovering we all have things in common. We are all just human. We often share happy stories and sad stories. Most of the time we can express something that will make us all laugh and maybe reduce the patient’s anxiety a little. 

A First Class First Visit Examination

I think every new patient deserves a first class examination. The process begins with the initial phone call and relies on the skills of my front desk person to gather all the data necessary for my office to be prepared for a new patient visit. A variety of paperwork and forms must be filled out including insurance information, dental history information, medical history, and various consent forms. 

Some things can be delegated to staff members, but my time commitment for the initial examination is usually about 1 hour for an adult. This is a different experience for many patients and must be explained to them prior to the appointment. The quick 5-10 minute exam just doesn’t fit my style.

More than Just a Visit to the Dentist

My initial meeting with the patient includes an introduction to the patient by my assistant. Before sitting a patient back in the dental chair I like to review their personal information, medical history, dental history and any areas of concern. I also like to know what their job entails, family details like parents, kids, grandkids and if they are native Coloradoans or have relocated from elsewhere. 

I also like to ask what their special interests are, which is fascinating to hear. Many patients like to hear about my family, hobbies, and activities and I am happy to share info with them. Being a cancer survivor also lets them know I can empathize with them on many levels.

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Expect to have x-rays taken.

After this fairly brief conversation I like to focus on why they are here and begin my examination with a very brief look in their mouth before I request any radiographs(x-rays). The patient is still in the chair and upright. The x-rays are taken and thanks to the nearly instant digital x-rays I can then review the x-rays with the patient and point out good things and potential problem areas. Patients usually like to see the x-rays and ask a variety of questions. After questions are answered we can sit the patient back and begin the evaluation.

An Oral Health Screen

My oral examination consists of documenting many things present including:

• Orthodontic jaw relationships,
• Excessive spacing
• Excessive wearing of enamel or dentin

We will also take jaw movement measurements and palpate the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and do a screening for temporomandibular dysfunction by checking for joint sounds, erratic movements, lack of mobility, and a muscle palpation. This evaluation also incorporates an extra oral cancer screening, checking for growths or lymph node involvement. It is surprising to me how many patients have not had this done before, or not had it explained.

First Dental Visit Examination Steps

I can now move to the mouth itself. I’ll continue the cancer screening intra orally including gum tissue, cheeks, lips, tongue, palate, tonsil area, and under the tongue. 

I once detected enlarged submandibular lymph nodes on a patient and made her an appointment with a specialist. The diagnosis was lymphoma cancer. They had to move away, but her husband called several years later to thank me as the oncologist told him to. She had made a complete recovery- possibly my most rewarding day in dentistry ever!

Next I will examine the periodontal tissue- gum tissue. This generally requires probing the teeth to check for periodontal health. We also check gingival recession, mobility, amount of ginigva remaining, etc. Some patients require more time than others for this evaluation, but healthy gum tissue is the foundation point for a healthy mouth.

Now, I can finally move to checking the teeth. This process includes charting existing restorations, decayed areas, broken teeth, cracked teeth, potential root canal problems, missing teeth, etc. Depending on the extent of existing work or teeth needing treatment, this will take a few minutes.

The last part of the exam is using a small intra oral-extra oral camera to take as many pictures as necessary. These pictures help document conditions and be able to show and explain possible treatment options to the patient. The majority of patients like to see “their” teeth in pictures and usually have great questions when they are initiated by viewing their pictures. I am happy to answer their questions while viewing pictures.

A Final Assessment

At this point, I now have somewhat of an idea of my patient’s oral conditions. I will review the pictures-one-on one and then move on to treatment. If the patient needs a routine cleaning and a filling or two I will present that at this time. If there are more advanced issues, such as endodontic, periodontic, or restorative issues then I will have the patient reappoint for a consultation appointment as it may take me an hour or more to evaluate pictures, x-rays, and clinical notes to be able to formulate a treatment plan.

Overall, your first visit to a dentist should be about you! You are trusting them with your oral health and expecting them to make the best decision. You want a dentist that will take the time to understand your medical history. Someone that will put your needs first and want to build a long lasting relationship.

Dr. Craig Parlet is a recently retired private practitioner after practicing dentistry for over 3 decades. He attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and received a Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 1983. Dr. Parlett was a member of two different study clubs, RAZA Study club and S.T.A.T study club. Both clubs dealt with overall accountability and critiquing dental work. 

Written by: Dr. Craig Parlet

General Dentist

Curator: The DentalScout Team

25+ years of dental experience

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The Patient's First Visit

Guidelines for Practice Success | Managing Patients | Patient Intake

The patient’s first visit to your practice sets the tone for the future of the relationship. A positive initial experience translates to a positive, long-term relationship. Remember that the new patient’s first visit should always end with them being given a special welcome packet that includes the basics (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, etc.) as well as any pamphlets, brochures, and other appropriate informational materials that relate to the patient’s needs. Avoid materials that depict the less attractive side of dental work, e.g., blood.

A warm welcome puts patients at ease and makes them feel like they’re part of your practice family. When you make the best first impression you can, patients will feel comfortable and confident that they’re in the right place for their oral health care.

• Train your receptionist to use the new patient’s name to greet them as soon as they arrive.
• Your front desk staff should welcome each patient with a smile, state his or her name, and ask the patient’s name. Whenever possible, approach new patients before they get to the reception area and shake their hand.

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• Managing Patients: The Patient Experience, Best Practices [ADA Store]

How to Prepare for a Dentist Appointment in 7 Easy Steps

A little preparation for your dentist appointments can go a long way. this guide explains how to prepare for a dentist appointment in 7 easy steps..

Less than 65% of American adults went to the dentist in 2019.

Are you guilty of not going to the dentist as often as you should? It's ok to admit it!

The good news is that even if you haven't been in a while, you can get back on track by scheduling a dentist appointment. And what's even better is that there are a few key things you can do to help prepare for your appointment to make it go smoothly. 

Keep reading to learn about the 7 things you should do prior to your next dental appointment. 

1. Understand What Your Insurance Covers

If you have dental insurance, most of the time, preventative care is covered under your plan. That means you shouldn't have to pay for cleanings and x-rays out of pocket. 

However, it's a good idea to double-check your coverage, just to make sure.

If your appointment is for other types of treatment, like getting a cavity filled, a root canal, etc., then you should try to find out what your insurance covers and what you'll be responsible for paying yourself.  This helps eliminate a surprise bill at the end of your appointment.

If you don't have insurance, look into our membership plan , which helps cover out-of-pocket expenses.

2. Make Sure Your Dental Records Are on File

If you're going to a new dentist for the first time, you'll want to make sure that they have your dental records from your previous dentist. 

Most of the time, the new office will coordinate with the old office, but they may need some information from you in order to do so. Well before your appointment, make sure they have access to your files, x-rays, and any other important information. 

This helps ensure they have an accurate view of your dental history. Then, they can give you a proper treatment plan accordingly.

If you're visiting the same dentist, but's it's been a while since your last appointment, they should have everything they need on file already.

3. Communicate About Dental Anxiety

Up to 20% of Americans  put off visiting the dentist because they experience some type of dental anxiety. One of the best things you can do to help reduce dental anxiety is to talk about it with your dentist. 

Before your appointment, be upfront with your dentist about your fears or concerns. When they know how you feel, they can help make you feel more comfortable once you're in the office. 

Remember, dental offices understand how to help people cope with dental anxiety. But if they don't know how you're feeling, they won't be able to offer you the support you need. 

4. Confirm Your Appointment

Usually, about 24 hours before your appointment, your dentist will reach out, asking you to confirm your appointment. Don't forget to do so!

If you have a schedule change, make sure to communicate that with the office as soon as possible. And if you do have to cancel your appointment, don't put off rescheduling it. 

Get it back on the calendar as soon as possible so you don't go too long between appointments. In general, you should schedule cleanings every six months. 

5. Write Down Questions

Is there something in particular you want to discuss with your dentist? If so, make sure you jot it down prior to your appointment. 

Once you get in the chair, it can be easy to forget about any questions or concerns you may have. So if you put them in a note, it'll be easier for you to discuss everything with your dentist when the time comes. 

And don't forget to make note of concerns throughout the year, not just in the weeks leading up to your appointment.

For example, if you noticed some pain while eating that eventually went away on its own, it's still not a bad idea to bring that up with your dentist. But without a written reminder at the time, you might forget about it by the time your appointment comes around.

Instead of relying on remembering to bring a piece of paper with you, you could start a dental notes list on your phone, so you can add questions or concerns when they arise. Then, everything will be in one place for your appointment.

6. Practice Good Dental Hygiene Habits

Of course, it's a good idea to brush and floss your teeth right before your appointment. However, you should be practicing good oral health habits in the weeks and months leading up to your appointment as well. 

Yes, that's our way of saying you should never skip a day of taking care of your teeth!

You already know the importance of brushing and flossing, but there are a few other healthy habits to remember as well. When you brush, try setting a timer to make sure you're brushing for at least 2 minutes. 

And don't forget to replace your toothbrush every 3 months. If you can't always brush your teeth between meals, consider chewing sugar-free gum, which can help remove bacteria from your mouth that stays between teeth after meals.

7. Bring Dental Gear With You

If you have special dental gear like retainers, mouth guards, or a sleep apnea mouth device, it's a good idea to bring them with you to your appointment.

Your dentist can take a look at them to make sure they're still in good condition.

They can also help you keep the devices clean by running them through an ultrasonic cleaner. This will help your gear last longer and help keep your teeth healthy, by making sure the gear doesn't contain harmful bacteria. 

Now You're Ready for Your Next Dentist Appointment

After reading through this guide, you know all the most important things to do to help you prepare for your next dentist appointment. 

If you're looking for a new dentist, look no further than the Axiom Dentistry team! With 8 convenient locations around the greater Raleigh area, we're here to help you have a healthy smile for life. 

Take the first step by downloading our new patient form today.

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What Should You Do Before a Dentist Appointment (And What To Avoid)

Table of contents.

Feeling nervous about dentist appointments is normal, and you’re not alone. Most people feel overwhelmed and don’t know what to do beforehand. But knowing how to prepare for the next dentist appointment might help you relax. 

Preparation is vital, so you should know the answers to frequently asked questions.Be sure to continue reading in preparation for your next dental appointment. 

When You Can Eat Before Dentist Appointments

To eat or not to eat, that is the question. In many cases, you can eat before your dental appointment, with a few conditions, of course. 

You can eat before your dental appointment if it’s a routine checkup and cleaning . As long as you brush your teeth afterward, you can go about your daily dietary schedule. Brushing and flossing after eating help eliminate food particles stuck between teeth, which makes your local dentist’s job easier. 

What Foods Should I Avoid Before Going to the Dentist?

Some foods are better for your dental health than others. While you can eat almost anything in your daily routine, avoiding some foods on the day of your appointment is best. 

Usually, it’s best to avoid eating the following foods before going to the dentist:

• Sugary drinks and foods
• Food that gets stuck between your teeth, like popcorn or toffee
• Food containing food coloring, 
• Foods and drinks that are too hot or too cold, and
• Anything that makes your teeth feel sensitive. 

These foods can lead to plaque buildup, gum infections, tooth stains, and sensitivity. By avoiding these foods, you help make your dentist’s job easier.

You might also want to read this: Why sugar is really bad for you and your teeth!

When You Can’t Eat Before Dentist Appointments

Although many can eat before their next session, some are not so lucky. Some have to avoid eating for a few hours before seeing the dentist. But how do you know if it applies to you? 

Avoid eating if you’re scheduled for dental surgery, anesthesia, and blood tests:

• With anesthesia, your body’s reflexes stop temporarily, and food in the stomach can cause nausea and vomiting.  
• The nutrients and minerals in food and drinks can alter the levels of the blood tests. 

Ask your dentist if you’re unsure whether you should avoid food before your appointment. They will tell you everything you need to know before going in. Here’s more information about what to expect on your next deep cleaning at the dentist .

How Many Hours Before Dental Surgery Should I Stop Eating?

Now that you know not to eat before some dental appointments, the next question is how long you should avoid food. 

It’s best to avoid eating food at least 5 hours before dental surgery or anesthesia. That gives your body enough time to metabolize the food in your stomach and prevent anesthesia-related complications. 

What to Eat as My Last Meal Before Dental Surgery?

You might not have thought about this, but your last meal before dental surgery is crucial. The same goes for dental appointments that might last a few hours. And the last thing you want to do is get hungry while your dentist works on your teeth. 

Eating a protein-rich meal as your last meal before dental surgery is best. It includes chicken, eggs, fish, soy, legumes, etc. Increasing the protein will help you feel satiated for longer, ensuring you don’t get hungry too quickly. 

How to Make Your Teeth Look Good Before a Dentist Appointment?

When you prepare to go to the dentist, it’s natural to want your teeth to look as good as possible. No one likes the embarrassment of having food stuck in their teeth or plaque on the surface. 

You can make your teeth look good before a dental appointment by brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash. Brushing and flossing will eliminate any food particles stuck between the teeth, and mouthwash will freshen up the mouth. 

Unfortunately, there is no quick fix to make your teeth look good the day of. The best way to ensure good-looking teeth is by keeping up with oral hygiene daily. That includes brushing, flowing, and using mouthwash. The more you do this, the better your teeth will look at the next dental appointment. 

What NOT to Do Before a Dentist Appointment

Like any other appointment, there is a list of things you should not do, whether for your own sake or your dentist’s. You make your and dentists’ jobs easier by not doing certain things. 

It is best to avoid doing the following before your dental appointment:

• DO NOT brush or floss excessively. 
• DO NOT forget to check if your medical insurance covers the visit.
• DO NOT put on too much makeup
• DO NOT keep any medical history from your dentist. 
• DO NOT drink alcohol beforehand. 
• DO NOT take painkillers. 
• DO NOT smoke before the appointment. 
• DO NOT be afraid to ask your dentist questions for clarity. 
• DO NOT drive yourself to the dentist (if you’re getting anesthesia). 
• DO NOT go to your appointment if you’re sick. 
• DO NOT forget to take your dental gear, like retainers or mouth guards. 

There might be other things you should avoid doing, depending on your dentist. The best way to know these things is to ask your dentist. It’s better to ask too many questions and be informed than not ask enough. 

What NOT to Wear Before a Dentist Appointment

Going to the dentist isn’t a time to impress people around you, meaning there is a dress code to keep in mind. While you might be tempted to put on your best outfit, remember that some clothes are not practical.

Do not wear tight, expensive, or uncomfortable clothes at the dentist. You will probably be lying down for a while, so wearing something comfortable and inexpensive will make you feel more at ease. 

At the same time, dentists try their best to keep their workstations clean, but accidents happen. If you don’t want an accidental spill on your clothes, it’s probably not the best outfit to wear on this day. 

How to Relax and Calm Yourself Before Dental Work

For some reason, many people get nervous before dental work. While knowing you are not the only one experiencing this stress doesn’t help alleviate it. So, how do you relax before seeing your dentist?

You can calm yourself before your dental appointment by doing the following:

• Try deep breathing exercises to eliminate the feeling of being overwhelmed.  
• Tell your dentist you’re anxious . They will help you cope with this stressful experience. 
• See if you can take a friend or family member with you for moral support. 
• Making morning appointments help get it over with and avoid overthinking. 
• Being on time gives you time to settle in and avoid the stress of being rushed. 
• Come up with a hand signal with your dentist indicating you’re nervous. When they see that signal during the appointment, they can stop and reassure and calm you down. 

Think about anything else that might put you at ease when you’re nervous. The more effort you put into calming yourself down, the better the dental experience will be. 

The Bottom Line

Although you might be nervous before a dental appointment, you can ease the tension by being prepared. Knowing the answers to the frequently asked questions will help you better prepare for your next visit. 

Remember that everyone is different, and you might have more questions than we covered. If that is the case, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist. The more questions you ask to inform yourself, the easier the appointment will be for you.

If you live in the area and are looking for a dentist in Ellicott City , reach out to our office by clicking the button below and filling out a quick form, or by calling (410) 740-9400 .

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Preparation 101: 7 Things You Should Do to Prep for Your Dentist Appointment

Going to the dentist can be a stressful experience for some people. Fortunately, the anticipation is almost always worse than the actual thing.

Regardless, there are a few things that everyone should do before going to their dentist appointment. Your dentist is there to help you and having access to dental care is a blessing. Oral health is essential to our wellbeing and quality of life.

Read on to find out how you can prepare before you get back into that dentist’s chair.

Caring For Your Pearly Whites

Our teeth are so important to our lives.

They are often taken for granted until something happens to them and we can’t eat the foods we love.

Also, your smile is your calling card .

It is one of the first things we notice about a person’s face. Studies have shown that clean, healthy-looking teeth do wonders for the first impressions we make.

Seven Things to Do Before You Next Dentist Appointment

Do you know what to do before going to the dentist?

If not, have no fear. We compiled this list of the most important things to do before your next dentist’s appointment.

1. Confirm the Appointment

Before anything, make sure you have all the right information.

Some offices have text and email systems in place but you should still call the office within 24 hours ahead of time to confirm.

Also, make sure you have the right address and know how to get there. There is nothing worse than showing up at your dentists’ old office, for example.

2. Know What You Are Going For

Are you scheduled for just a regular cleaning or you going in to get a certain procedure done?

Either way, it is imperative that you are aware of what is going to happen.

There are procedures that may require you to prepare in some way. This might include not eating for several hours before the appointment.

If you aren’t sure why you are going, your best bet would be to call the office and ask!

3. Clean That Mouth Out

Just like before going to see any medical professional, it is important that you wash up beforehand.

This is a common courtesy to whoever is going to be up close and personal with you but it is also a matter of hygiene.

A dentist appointment is no different. They are going to be really close to your face and mouth, so you don’t want to go with all types of food in between your teeth.

So, make sure you brush and your teeth, floss, and maybe even use some mouthwash.

4. Don’t Be Late!

Nobody likes to have to wait for anybody.

Dentists are generally very busy people and some see dozens of patients per day.

Any delay will cause the dentist to fall behind with their schedule and may cause other people inconveniences.

To avoid this, make sure you have the right time and address. It’s a good idea to arrive 10-15 minutes early so you can check-in. Check for traffic and other delays.

5. Have Your Information Ready

When you make a dentist appointment, you will have to fill out some forms about your personal information.

Be sure that you are prepared to respond.

You will need to know your address, phone number, email address, insurance information, and other details.

Failure to supply the office with your information may cause trouble for the staff.

6. Share a Thorough Medical History

You are going to supply the dentist staff with all your past medical history.

This includes any medical conditions you have been diagnosed with, past and present.

Also, they will need to know any medications you are taking. There are certain drugs that increase your risk of bleeding and/or serious interactions with medications they may administer.

Be sure to let them know if you have any drug allergies so that you don’t have any type of reaction.

7. Be Open and Honest

Many people are afraid of the dentist.

Although this is common and normal , it may hinder open communication between you and the dentist.

If you feel nervous, say it! They are used to dealing with patients that struggle with anxiety, so don’t be embarrassed. They will treat you accordingly by being gentle and calmly explaining everything.

Also, let the dentist know if you are experiencing pain.

Certain parts of the procedure may be uncomfortable and even painful, but you should communicate any intense pain with the staff as it may be abnormal.

Final Advice

If you follow the aforementioned steps, the entire process will go more smoothly and it may help with the anxiety you could be feeling.

Pay close attention to any advice the dentist and/or the hygienist may give you. There is a chance that, even during a routine cleaning, they will find something to requires more attention. They may have you come in for an x-ray, for example.

Before leaving, stop at the secretary’s office for your next appointment.

Be sure to save the date and, if you can’t make it, reschedule ahead of time so you don’t miss your appointment.

Take Charge of Your Dental Health

Having the opportunity to see a dentist is something that should not be taken for granted.

Dental health is of utmost importance, so you need to take it very seriously.

Brush your teeth, floss, and make sure you don’t miss your next dentist appointment. Take the advice we mentioned and prepare accordingly.

Visit our facility here in Chattanooga, TN and meet our staff of well-trained professionals. Also, check out more of our posts for more information on all things dental-related.

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How to Prepare for a Dental Visit and Talk to a Dentist About Your Condition

Think of it as one among the many conversations you have. In fact, a conversational tone is the best way to prepare for a dental visit and how to talk to a dentist about your condition.

Preconceived ideas about dentistry can leave you feeling “tongue-tied” or anxious on occasion. And most dentists understand that you might carry that mindset into a dental visit.

What your dentist wants you to know

Start with the understanding that your dentist is all-ears. They’re prepared to listen to your concerns, questions, and general feelings about your dental health.

Like a medical appointment, your dental visit relies on two essentials.

• A professional diagnosis

Your personal input provides a talking-point for the remainder of your appointment. From the information you provide your dentist will proceed to ask you related questions leading to a solution for your problem.

Some symptoms will be obvious. Others will require further conversation and skilled observation by your dental provider.

And keep in mind that providing detailed information doesn’t mean more costly treatment. Hiding or avoiding a dental problem is what often leads to increased treatment costs.

Again, your dentist understands cost, insurance, and budget concerns. Most, such as an online dentist, offer a cost-effective initial appointment to work towards an oral health solution.

How to prepare for your dental visit and talk to the dentist about your condition

1-prepare a list of specific questions or dental health issues you’re concerned about.

You’ll likely discover that your particular issue is common and can be solved without extensive treatment. On the other hand, it’s important to be transparent so that any underlying (or more serious) symptoms are part of the conversation.

Start with these:

• “Why do my gums bleed when brushing and/or flossing?”
• “My teeth are sensitive or I feel a ‘zing’ when biting down or when eating/drinking something hot or cold.”
• “I’ve had this sore spot in my mouth that’s not healing.”
• “Brushing and flossing are a challenge for me.”
• “My jaw and neck ache first thing in the morning.”

These shared concerns or issues will trigger your dentist to ask more probing questions. Your answers combined with their expertise can lead to a solution.

2-Make sure your medical history and related information is current

Some medical conditions have an impact on your dental health (and vice-versa). For example, if you’re experiencing dry mouth it could be related to certain medications. Untreated, the condition could cause cavities.

• Be open about your family medical history. Some symptoms could be traced to a related family health issue.
• Share any lifestyle changes since your last dental appointment. Diet/nutrition, fitness/exercise, and other habits or routines can be an oral health factor.
• Reveal any medical diagnosis you’ve received. Related medications and/or treatment can have affect your oral health conditions or treatment.
• Provide a list of all prescription medications, vitamins, and supplements that you use.

3-Get a heads-up about payments, financing, and insurance

Your dentist wants to be sensitive to dental care costs. The more you know about their initial visit fees, payment options, and insurance network the better.

• Ask up-front about whether your dentist accepts insurance coverage and if your insurance provider is in their network.
• Be open about your cost concerns. And request all possible options for financing your dental care.

4-Be proactive about how you can improve your oral health

Your initial dental visit is the best starting point for improving your oral health. The initiative you take by scheduling and following-through with your appointment confirms your commitment.

• Ask about products and services that can improve your dental health.
• Schedule your next dental check-up or treatment during your current appointment.
• If available, subscribe to your dentist’s blog/newsletter updates, request text and email notifications, and follow your dentist on their social media channels.

Your dentist is your advocate for health and wellness. Get comfortable engaging with them and be willing to ask and seek answers to your questions.

Virtual dental care with an online dentist is a convenient first step solution for immediate dental care and/or a follow-up second opinion to a previous diagnosis.

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Preparing for a Visit With the Dentist

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Proper oral health can positively contribute to your mental, physical and social well-being. It may allow you to eat, speak and socialize without discomfort, pain or embarrassment. Maintaining healthy teeth and gums with proper oral care is a  lifelong commitment . Eating nutritious foods, brushing and flossing and having routine dental visits are all vital parts of your ongoing oral care to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Whether it’s your first visit or you’ve been going to your dentist regularly for many years, a comprehensive examination, thorough cleaning and follow-up check-ups can help keep your gums and teeth healthier and your mouth feeling fresh. Preparing for a visit with the dentist is almost as essential as showing up. Below are some steps to follow to ensure your dental appointment goes as smoothly as possible.

What to Do Before Going to the Dentist for a Cleaning

Are you unsure how to prepare for a dentist appointment? Here are some tips to help.

1. Choose a Trustworthy Dentist

The dentist you choose should have excellent communication skills and be competent in managing any anxiety you may feel. Dentists who maintain an open line of communication can reinforce your confidence and help you establish a long-term patient-dentist relationship.

2. Confirm Your Dental Appointment

Call the dental office a day before your appointment to confirm the time if the office hasn’t already called you. You don’t want to show up to your appointment a few hours early — and you don’t want to show up late.

3. Provide your Dentist With Your Dental History

Make sure you provide your dentist with access to your dental records. If this is your first visit, this may mean contacting a prior dental office to have your dental history records transferred.

4. Bring Your Payment and Insurance Information

You’re either going to have the dentist bill your insurance provider or send you the bill, so be sure you have this information with you at your appointment.

5. Provide Your Dentist With a List of All Medications and Doses

It’s crucial your dentist knows what medications you’re taking and the exact dosage. Bring along your medications or write the names of each down, along with the dosage and how often you’re taking them.

6. Sleep Well the Night Before

Giving your brain enough time to rest can help dispel anxiety and calm your nerves. A lack of sleep could affect your cognitive ability in terms of creativity, problem-solving and judgment. Good sleep can help invigorate your body, setting you in a good mood.

7. Ask Your Dentist If You Should Clean Your Mouth Beforehand

Because each dentist has their preferences of whether or not they would like to work on a clean mouth (you’ll see why below), you should ask beforehand if you should brush and floss your teeth before your appointment.

8. Arrive a Little Early

If you’re a new patient, you’ll likely need to fill out some paperwork. Even if you’re not, it’s still a good idea to show up a little early to your appointment so you’re not rushing. Feeling hurried can feed your anxiety.

9. Write Down All Questions or Concerns

Part of how to prepare for a dental check-up is writing down all questions and concerns you have so you can go over them with the dentist before your appointment. Having your concerns and questions addressed can help ease any fear or anxiety you have and prepare you better for what’s to come.

10. Avoid Caffeine Before Your Visit

It’s probably not a good idea to be jittery while you’re sitting in the dentist’s chair. Too much caffeine can cause that to happen, and this could make it harder for the dentist to work on your teeth properly.

11. Let Your Dentist Know If You’re Anxious

The dentist can help ease any dental anxiety or fear you have. Your dentist has different ways of doing this, such as sedatives, TV, music and earphones and other ways. Sometimes, just sitting down with the dentist and having them go over what the visit entails is enough to calm the nerves.

12. Be Open and Honest With the Dentist

While this could be embarrassing, it’s necessary. Always be honest with your dentist about your oral hygiene habits and what’s going on with your mouth. For the best check-up possible, the dentist needs to know about hygiene, pain and other concerns.

13. Bring Along Your Oral Appliance

Many dental offices provide sleep apnea treatment that involves wearing an appliance during the night to help keep your airway open. Additionally, some individuals wear retainers after they’ve had orthodontic work. Others wear mouth guards to avoid clenching and grinding.

If you wear an oral appliance, no matter for what reason, make sure you bring it with you to your dental appointment so your dentist can give it a good scrub as well. These devices do form tartar, just like with teeth. Your dentist could put your appliance in an ultrasonic cleaning device so it will be ready when your appointment is over.

14. Consult With the Dentist

Sit down with your dentist to discuss your upcoming dental procedure, if you’re not simply having a routine check-up. Find out how long the procedure will last, if there are any pre- or post-operative guidelines you’ll need to follow and if you should bring someone along with you to your appointment.

15. Schedule an Appointment for Your Next Check-up

Before you leave the office, schedule your next check-up or cleaning and ask to be sent a reminder. This will ensure you keep up on your routine visits.

Dental anxiety, fear and phobia are pervasive. Individuals with dental fear or anxiety can experience a sense of uneasiness when their appointment comes around. They’ll experience unfounded or exaggerated fears or worries.

Causes of Dental Fear and Anxiety

You may develop dental fear and anxiety for various reasons. During an interview, researchers talked with patients about their dental anxieties and fears. There were a couple of common reasons, which were:

• Embarrassment:   Many individuals feel embarrassed or even ashamed of their mouth and how their teeth look. They are self-conscious about the dentist looking inside. During a treatment, the dentist’s or hygienist’s face could be only a few inches away, and this can make people uncomfortable and anxious.
• Feelings of loss of control and helplessness :  When sitting in a dental chair, people have to sit still. They can’t see what the dentist is doing or predict if something’s going to hurt. Because of this, it’s common for individuals to feel out of control or helpless, which could trigger anxiety.

How Can I Calm My Nerves Before Going to the Dentist?

Fortunately, you have some ways to calm your dental anxiety and fear, including these ideas:

• Share how you’re feeling.  If you’re anxious or tense, let your dentist know. Expressing your worries and concerns can help your dentist adjust the treatment for your needs.
• Breathe slowly and regularly during your procedure.  If you’re nervous, it could cause you to hold your breath, which reduces your oxygen level and further increases your feelings of anxiety and panic. Focusing on regular, slow breathing, like with meditation, could help reduce your stress level.
• Listen to music.  If the sound of the cleaning equipment or any potential drilling makes you anxious, bring your earphones and music to listen to.
• Pay attention to what you eat and drink.   Eat foods high in protein, which help to produce a calming effect, unlike sugary foods. Avoid caffeine before your appointment as it can make you jittery.
• Use hand signals.  Agree on hand signals with your dentist beforehand to let them know when you’re feeling uncomfortable and need a break.
• Schedule your appointment at a low-stress time.  Choose your dental visit time when you’re less likely to feel pressured or rushed, such as an early-morning appointment or a Saturday.
• Ask for some good reviews.  If this is your first time and you need a dentist, ask your relatives or friends for recommendations. A useful review can help you trust the dentist more and could reduce your anxiety.
• Understand advancements.  Keep in mind, over the past several years, there have been several advancements in dental procedures, and they’ve improved greatly. Dentistry today provides new treatment options and methods to help you feel more comfortable.
• Ask for medication.   Talk to your dentist about medicine to help you relax. Many dentists suggest sedation, nitrous oxide or anti-anxiety medication if you’re extremely nervous. When searching for a dentist, find one who provides these options.
• Take it slow.  If you’re nervous, your dentist should be more than willing to take things slowly for you. If possible, schedule an easy appointment first like a dental cleaning. This helps you build trust with your dentist and establish a relationship before you move on to more complex procedures.

Should I Floss Before Going to the Dentist?

The answer to this question can go both ways:

• Some say, yes, you should brush and floss before your dentist appointment. Proponents say brushing and flossing a couple of hours before your appointment is important. However, if you don’t usually floss regularly, then flossing before your appointment won’t do you any good. It may even harm your teeth if you overdo it. Of course, it’s ideal to floss daily to prevent plaque buildup and bad breath.
• Other dentists prefer you don’t brush or floss before your appointment because they would like to see where food becomes stuck in your teeth. This will show them where the problem areas are and where decay is likely to set in. Some dentists even say to have your breakfast or lunch and then come in to see them.

Is It Okay to Eat Before a Dental Appointment?

Many individuals believe they can’t eat before their dental appointment. Some eat the wrong foods before their appointment. Unfortunately, not eating before your appointment or consuming the wrong types of food can both lead to certain issues.

Just because certain foods are “good for you,” doesn’t mean they’re the best choice of food to eat before your appointment. Below are some foods to avoid before going to the dentist.

From a tall glass of grapefruit juice, orange juice or lemonade to a fresh ripe mandarin, citrus foods and beverages shouldn’t go in your mouth before you visit your dentist. Citrus fruits contain a high level of acid, which can weaken your tooth enamel.

Typically, it takes around a half hour for your enamel to harden back up again, but if you drink a glass of orange juice before heading out to your dental appointment, your teeth might not recover in time before the hygienist begins to scrape away at your enamel, potentially causing permanent damage.

2. Beef Jerky

With so many individuals going Paleo or low-carb, beef jerky is gaining popularity again. Even though beef jerky can be relatively healthy and provides a good protein punch, it’s probably not the best food to consume before your appointment. Because of beef jerky’s sinewy nature, it can naturally become caught in between braces wires and teeth.

While popcorn is a fairly healthy snack if it isn’t covered in salt, oil and butter, it can easily become stuck in your teeth. If you’re on your way to a dental visit, forget the popcorn until your appointment is through. Having to pick corn shells out of your teeth will probably not make your hygienist too happy.

With that said, go ahead and eat protein.

Protein Can Keep You Full

Consuming a high-protein meal or snack before going to your dentist can help keep you full for several hours. And, if your dental appointment is going to be long, a high-protein snack or meal like nuts, eggs or fish can help keep you full during the procedure.

Since you’ll likely still feel full after your dental visit, you won’t need to eat right away. Therefore, you allow your anesthesia to wear off, preventing you from biting or chewing your lip because your mouth is still numb.

Schedule Your Appointment With Dental Choice

Dental health is an essential part of physical wellness. For over 20 years, Dental Choice has been focusing on the advancement of family dentistry, with the goal of enhancing all family members’ dental health, taking care of oral health from toddlers to the oldest members of your home.

Our relationship with you is valuable to us, which is why we commit to making each one of your visits with us as comfortable and pleasant as possible. We want you to feel appreciated in our office, and we welcome both existing and new patients.  Contact us today to schedule your appointment at one of our locations in Calgary, Edmonton, or Red Deer .

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How To Get Your Teeth Clean Before The Dentist

Top articles, more articles.

Medically Reviewed By Colgate Global Scientific Communications

You might be diligent as far as your oral hygiene goes, but even the most frequent flosser forgets every now and again. You may not even think about the quality of your dental hygiene until it comes time for your scheduled dental visit. So, whether you're a habitual brusher or you've been known to skip a session, put your best smile forward and learn how to get your teeth clean before the dentist to ensure the best checkup possible. Use these techniques and your dentist and dental hygienist are sure to be impressed.

Proper Brushing

Brushing your teeth is one thing, but brushing them properly gives you completely different results and clean teeth for your checkup. A quick once-over with your toothbrush won't cut it, so schedule a little extra time to give your smile the attention it deserves. Here are the steps for proper toothbrushing :

• Squeeze a strip of toothpaste onto a soft-bristled brush. Avoid using hard-bristled brushes, which can be too abrasive and damage tooth enamel.
• Start with the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, beginning at your gumline. Gently brush your gums back and forth before moving up the surface of your teeth.
• Focus first on the outside surfaces of your teeth, and then make sure to clean the insides, as well.
• Reach back and brush all sides of each of your molars, making sure to brush all the way to the back of your mouth.
• Don't forget to brush the biting surfaces of all teeth to clean the pits and crevices.
• Gently brush your tongue to remove lingering bacteria, film, or debris for fresher breath and a cleaner mouth.

Along with proper twice-daily brushing, making flossing at least once a day a priority is important. Brushing is great but can leave food particles, and plaque stuck in the small spaces between teeth. To impress your dentist, give your teeth an excellent flossing before your appointment. Here are some steps for proper flossing technique:

• Stretch a piece of floss between two fingers and wind the floss around your pointer fingers for a secure hold.
• Start between your back two bottom teeth, gently slide the floss down between each space and then move it upward to remove the floss and debris.
• Continue the process and work toward the front of your mouth and around to the other side.
• Switch to your top teeth until every space between your teeth has been properly cleaned.
• Make sure you are using a new section of the floss each time you go between two teeth, so you don't transfer debris from space to space.

Finally, put the finishing touch on your deep cleaning by swishing with a mouthwash to rinse and disinfect your mouth . It'll remove any lingering bacteria and ensure that you have fresh breath for your checkup. Pour a small amount in a small cup and swish it forcefully between your teeth and around your mouth for 30-60 seconds. Spit out the mouthwash, and you're ready for your dental closeup.

Your dental hygienist may also ask you to do a pre-procedural rinse before your cleaning. This step can significantly reduce the number of microorganisms (bacteria) that are introduced during professional dental cleanings or tooth restorations. A simple 30-to-60-second rinse can reduce contamination on dental equipment, dental personnel, and surfaces in the operatory.

Visiting the dentist should be anything but nerve-racking, but if your oral hygiene has been less than exemplary, you might be feeling a little nervous. By knowing how to get your teeth clean before the dentist, you can be sure that you'll have the best appointment possible. A deep clean is the key to a smooth dental appointment and the perfect way to renew your commitment to good oral hygiene.

Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician or other qualified healthcare provider. 

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Preparing Your Kid for Their First Visit to the Dentist

Dentist visits, like annual physicals, are a regular part of taking care of our health.

Explaining a dentist visit to a child—especially their first visit—should be simple and reassuring, helping them feel comfortable and prepared. It should also encourage checkups throughout their life.

We spoke to Amy Herbert, DDS, MHA , to learn more.

When should a child first see a dentist?

When the first tooth comes in, typically around six months, or by the time the child turns one.

What do all parents ask you about a child’s first dental appointments, and what do you tell them?

Why start going when children are young?

In addition to identifying early concerns, it is good to establish the practice of visiting the dentist and establishing a positive routine. This first appointment helps get a child used to visiting the dentist.

It is also an opportunity to teach a parent about their child’s oral health: various kinds of toothpaste, diet, and nutrition (snacking habits and food and drink choices), and when and how to brush effectively are discussed.

We may also talk about teething, non-nutritive sucking habits (thumb sucking and pacifier use), sippy cups, utensils, and transitioning to table food and regular cups.

After the first dentist visit, you always have someone to call if your child has a dental injury.

Is there a best time or day of the week for the first dentist visit?

Typically, the morning is the best time for young patients, not only because they are fresh and alert, but so is the caretaker!

Try to avoid taking your child to the dentist the same day you take them to the pediatrician or other doctor. It can be too much.

How long does the first dentist visit last?

30 to 45 minutes.

What happens at the first dentist’s visit, and how should a parent or caregiver explain it to a child?

Depending on their age and level of cooperation, the child may be seated on the parent’s lap or in the dentist’s chair on their own. Like all visits, the first visit usually includes an exam of the teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues to check growth and development. If needed, a child may also have a gentle cleaning. This includes polishing teeth and removing any plaque, tartar, and stains.

The dentist should show the child and parent or caregiver how and when to properly clean teeth, floss, and brush at home. Sometimes, there may also be X-rays. But typically, they aren’t done until a child has contact between their teeth (they are touching). If there are any issues or concerns, the dentist will discuss treatment options.

What should I say or do for my kid to prepare them?

Here are a few things you might want to cover with your child:

• A dentist looks at your teeth and gums to see if everything is okay and healthy.
• A dentist—or dental hygienist—cleans teeth with special tools that remove tartar and plaque and floss and polish your teeth to help keep them healthy.
• “sugar bugs” (bacteria)
• “spinny brush” (handpiece)
• “vitamins for teeth” (fluoride treatment)
• Use a book to help
• Read books together about a character going to the dentist , such as Curious George Visits The Dentist  or Peppa Pig’s Dentist Trip .

What age should dental X-rays start?

X-rays usually start when the contact areas (where the teeth touch) are not visible. That’s typically after all primary teeth have come in. This happens at different ages. The schedule of follow-ups is decided based on individual risk and diagnoses.

If the dentist sees signs of decay or other pathology in the primary dentition, they may decide to take radiographs sooner.

Early loss of baby teeth can lead to other oral health issues. Additionally, untreated decay in baby teeth increases the likelihood of a child experiencing cavities in their permanent teeth.

What do all kids ask you, and what do you say?

Is it going to hurt?

To help them relax, we explain what will happen during the exam, show the instruments, and allow them to touch them if they wish. The key is explaining things in a language they can understand: “special pen” instead of the probe; “go for a ride” when manipulating the dental chair.

Preparing children and not surprising them is important.

What’s the best way to pick a dentist for your child?

Many people find their dentist by word of mouth, from their pediatrician, and by treatment philosophy. In addition, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Board of Pediatric Dentists have search tools on their websites.

Amy Herbert, DDS, MHA , is an assistant professor of dental medicine at Columbia.

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How to prepare for your next dental visit.

Posted February 28, 2024 .

So, you’ve got a dental visit coming up, huh? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Preparing for your next dental visit is not as daunting as it may seem. In fact, with a few simple steps, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free experience. Whether it’s a routine check-up or a more extensive procedure, I’m here to guide you on how to prepare for your next dental visit like a pro!

First things first, gather all your dental records and bring them along with you. This includes any x-rays, previous treatment plans, and insurance information. Having all your paperwork in order will help your dentist get a clear picture of your dental history and provide you with the best possible care.

Next, it’s time to brush up on your oral hygiene routine. Remember, a clean mouth is a happy mouth! Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily leading up to your appointment. This will not only impress your dentist with your dedication to oral health but also help prevent any last-minute dental issues from popping up.

By following these simple steps, you’ll be well-prepared for your next dental visit and ready to show off your pearly whites. So, sit back, relax, and let your dentist do their magic!

How to Prepare for Your Next Dental Visit

Preparing for your next dental visit is essential for a smooth and comfortable experience. Follow these simple steps to make the most of your appointment:

• Research your dentist: Look up your dentist’s qualifications, reviews, and any specializations they may have.
• Review your dental history: Take note of any previous dental procedures, allergies, or concerns you may have.
• Make a list of questions: Write down any questions or concerns you want to discuss with your dentist during the visit.
• Update your medical information: Inform your dentist of any changes in your medical history or medications you are currently taking.
• Practice good oral hygiene: Brush and floss regularly leading up to your appointment to ensure your teeth and gums are in good condition.
• Arrive early: Give yourself plenty of time to fill out any necessary paperwork and relax before your appointment.

By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared and ready for your next dental visit. Remember, regular dental check-ups are essential for maintaining your oral health.

Going to the dentist can be a daunting experience for many people. However, with the right preparation, you can make your next dental visit a more comfortable and stress-free one. By taking certain steps before your appointment, you can ensure that you are well-prepared and ready for any dental procedures or treatments that may be required. In this article, we will discuss some helpful tips on how to prepare for your next dental visit, so you can have a positive experience and maintain good oral health.

• Plan ahead to choose a convenient date and time.
• Provide accurate information about your dental concerns.
• Mention any specific questions or requests when booking.
• Collect previous dental records, x-rays, and medical history.
• Bring insurance details and identification for a smooth check-in process.
• Prepare questions about procedures, pain, or oral hygiene.
• Communicate any anxiety or nervousness to your dentist.
• Adhere to instructions like fasting, diet control, or dietary restrictions.
• Seek clarification from your dentist if needed.
• Brush and floss regularly to maintain oral health.
• Avoid staining foods or drinks before the appointment.

Preparing for your next dental visit is essential for a smooth and successful experience. By scheduling your appointment in advance, gathering your dental records and insurance information, making a list of questions and concerns, following any pre-appointment instructions, and practicing good oral hygiene, you can ensure that you are well-prepared and ready to receive the best possible dental care. Remember, open communication with your dentist and dental staff is key to addressing any concerns or anxieties you may have. So take the necessary steps to prepare for your next dental visit and maintain optimal oral health.

Key Takeaways: How to Prepare for Your Next Dental Visit

• Brush your teeth thoroughly before your dental visit to ensure a clean mouth.
• Make a list of any concerns or questions you have for your dentist.
• Bring your dental insurance card and any necessary paperwork with you.
• Arrive on time or a few minutes early to allow for any necessary paperwork or updates.
• Relax and communicate openly with your dentist to address any fears or anxieties you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Preparing for your next dental visit can help ensure a smooth and comfortable experience. Here are some common questions about how to prepare for your next dental visit:

1. What should I do before my dental appointment?

Before your dental appointment, it’s important to take a few steps to prepare. First, make sure to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly. This will help remove any food particles or plaque that may be present. Additionally, it’s a good idea to review your medical history and any medications you are taking, as this information may be relevant to your dental treatment. Finally, if you have any questions or concerns, write them down so you can discuss them with your dentist during the appointment.

On the day of your appointment, it’s best to arrive a few minutes early to allow time for any necessary paperwork or updates to your information. This will help ensure that you can start your appointment on time and make the most of your time with the dentist.

2. Should I avoid eating or drinking before my dental visit?

It’s generally recommended to avoid eating or drinking for at least one hour before your dental visit, especially if you are having a procedure that involves sedation or anesthesia. This is because eating or drinking too close to your appointment time can increase the risk of complications during sedation.

However, if you are simply going in for a routine check-up or cleaning, there is no need to fast beforehand. In fact, it’s important to have a healthy meal before your appointment to ensure that you have enough energy and avoid feeling lightheaded during your visit.

3. How can I manage dental anxiety before my appointment?

Dental anxiety is a common concern for many people, but there are several strategies you can use to help manage it before your appointment. One approach is to practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, in the days leading up to your visit. These techniques can help calm your mind and reduce anxiety.

It can also be helpful to communicate your concerns with your dentist. Letting them know about your anxiety allows them to take extra steps to ensure your comfort during the appointment. They may be able to offer techniques or options, such as sedation dentistry, to help you relax during the visit.

4. What should I bring to my dental appointment?

When you go to your dental appointment, it’s important to bring a few items with you. First, make sure to bring your dental insurance card, if you have one, as well as any necessary payment information. You should also bring a list of any medications you are currently taking, as well as any changes to your medical history.

Additionally, if you have been referred by another healthcare provider or have any relevant medical records or x-rays, it’s a good idea to bring those as well. This information can help your dentist make informed decisions about your treatment and ensure that you receive the best care possible.

5. How can I make the most of my dental visit?

To make the most of your dental visit, it’s important to come prepared and be proactive in discussing your oral health with your dentist. Before your appointment, think about any concerns or questions you may have and write them down. This will ensure that you don’t forget anything during the visit.

During the appointment, be sure to communicate openly with your dentist. Discuss any symptoms or concerns you may have, as well as any changes to your oral health routine or medications. Your dentist can provide valuable advice and guidance to help you maintain a healthy smile.

How To Prepare For Dental Appointments (5 Tips from a Dental Hygienist)

Final Summary: Are You Ready to Ace Your Next Dental Visit?

So, you’ve learned all about how to prepare for your next dental visit. From scheduling your appointment to practicing good oral hygiene, you now have the tools to make your visit a success. Remember, it’s not just about maintaining a healthy smile, but also about taking care of your overall well-being. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to acing your next dental visit and keeping those pearly whites shining bright.

Preparing for your next dental visit doesn’t have to be daunting. By following these simple steps, you can ensure a smooth and successful visit. Your oral health is important, and by taking the necessary steps to care for your teeth, you’re investing in your overall well-being. So, remember to schedule your appointment, gather any necessary documents, maintain good oral hygiene, and communicate openly with your dentist.

With these tips in mind, you’ll be well-prepared to ace your next dental visit and keep your smile shining bright for years to come.

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• Ultimate Guide to Prepare for Your Dentist Visit
• Health and Fitness

Visiting the dentist can sometimes be an unnerving experience, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right preparation, your dental appointment can be smooth, stress-free, and even enjoyable. Whether it’s your biannual check-up, a complex dental procedure, or your first-ever visit, this guide aims to equip you with the necessary knowledge and tips to make your dentist visit seamless and productive. Keeping your pearly whites shining bright has never been easier!

Know What to Expect

Understanding what to anticipate during your dental visit can greatly reduce anxiety. First-time visitors should expect their dentist to perform a thorough dental examination, which may involve X-rays to look for any hidden problems. Regular check-ups usually involve teeth cleaning and a quick assessment of your dental health. If you’re due to have a more complex procedure, your dentist will explain the process in detail and might even show you a video or diagram to give you a clear idea of what to expect.

Specialist procedures might require more than one appointment, so be prepared for the possibility. It’s best to ask your dentist about the length of the procedure and how many visits it’ll require. This way, you can plan your schedule accordingly. Always remember, the key is to communicate openly with your dentist, because the more you know, the less frightening it seems.

Preparing for Your Appointment

Preparation is key to a productive dentist visit. Brush your teeth thoroughly before your appointment to give your dentist a clean work area. If you’re going in the morning, avoid coffee or other foods that might stain your teeth. It’s also important to eat a small meal before your appointment, especially if you’re going in for a long procedure, as this will help prevent feeling lightheaded or nauseous. But avoid foods with strong odors to maintain a pleasant environment for your dentist.

Compile a list of all your current medications and any allergies you have, and bring it with you to the appointment. Your dentist needs to know this information to prevent drug interactions or allergic reactions. Also, make sure to bring your dental insurance card if you have one. Preparing all this in advance will make your visit smoother and more efficient. If you live in Solana Beach, CA, for example, looking up for a Del Mar dentist should yield some results. Make sure to research and choose a reliable dentist.

After Your Visit

Take note of any instructions or recommendations your dentist gives you after the appointment. This might involve adopting a new brushing or flossing technique , using a specific type of toothpaste, or adjusting your diet. Follow through with any prescribed treatments or medications to ensure the continued health of your teeth and gums.

If you’ve had a procedure done, such as a tooth extraction or root canal, make sure to ask about the healing process and any signs of complications to watch out for. Remember that it’s perfectly normal to feel some discomfort or sensitivity after certain procedures, but if the pain persists or gets worse, don’t hesitate to call your dentist. Good aftercare is just as important as the visit itself for maintaining your oral health.

Your oral health is a vital part of your overall well-being and visiting the dentist is an essential step in maintaining it. While the idea may seem daunting, being well-prepared can make a world of difference. Understand what to expect, prepare appropriately, and follow through with aftercare instructions.

Remember, communication is key – don’t hesitate to ask your dentist any questions or raise any concerns. With the right approach and mindset, your dentist visit can become a seamless, stress-free, and even enjoyable part of your health routine. Remember, a healthy smile is always worth it!

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How To Prepare For Your First Visit To A Local Orthodontist

Thinking about getting braces? That’s awesome! A killer smile can do wonders for your confidence. This guide will help you prepare for your first local orthodontist appointment, so you can breeze through it feeling informed and excited about your journey to a straighter smile! It’s normal to feel a little nervous, but with a little prep, you’ll be a pro in no time.

Gathering Your Dental Records

Imagine you’re meeting a new dentist who specializes in braces. They might ask you all sorts of questions about your teeth, but wouldn’t it be easier if they could see your dental report card? That’s what X-rays and past records are like.

By getting copies beforehand, the orthodontist gets a sneak peek at your dental history: past treatments, any current problems, and even how your teeth have grown over time. This gives them a much clearer picture of your smile and what kind of treatment might be best for you. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Your dental records are crucial for the  local orthodontist  to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals. Bringing all your dental records to the consultation is a great time-saver. That way, the orthodontist can spend more time talking about your treatment options and answering any questions you have about getting a straighter smile. Think of it as having everything you need for a productive meeting!

Preparing Physically

A clean mouth is essential when visiting an orthodontist. Brush and floss your teeth thoroughly before your appointment so your orthodontist will get a much clearer picture of what’s going on down there if your mouth is minty fresh. If you tend to turn into a nervous wreck at the dentist’s office, bring along some calming tunes or practice some deep breathing exercises.

Knowing What To Expect

The first visit typically involves a consultation and initial examination. Here’s a breakdown of what might happen:

Meet the Orthodontist and Team

You’ll have a chance to introduce yourself and chat with the orthodontist and their friendly staff.

Consultation

The orthodontist will discuss your concerns and goals for treatment. They’ll examine your teeth, jaws, and bite.

Imaging Tests

X-rays and possibly digital scans will be taken to create a detailed picture of your teeth and jaw structure. These images help the orthodontist develop a personalized treatment plan.

Being prepared for these steps can help alleviate any anxiety and ensure that you are informed about every aspect of your upcoming treatment.

Communicating Openly With Your Orthodontist

Clear communication with your local orthodontist is crucial. Don’t hesitate to express any concerns or preferences you have regarding treatment. For example, if you prefer a less visible  treatment option like Invisalign , mention this during your consultation. Be open about your daily routine, as it can influence the choice of treatment — such as removable devices if you often speak at public events.

The more your orthodontist knows about your expectations and lifestyle, the better they can tailor the treatment to your needs. Discuss any past experiences with dental care that could affect your current treatment, ensuring that your orthodontist has a comprehensive view of what works best for you.

Considering Your Budget And Financing Options

Orthodontic treatments can be a significant investment. Before your visit, review your financial situation and consider how you’ll manage the costs associated with your treatment. Many orthodontists offer financing plans or accept various types of insurance. Here are a few tips to further assist with your financial planning:

Explore Insurance Coverage

Check with your  dental insurance  provider to understand what orthodontic benefits are available under your plan. Some plans cover a portion of orthodontic treatments, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

Ask About Payment Plans

Many orthodontic clinics offer payment plans that spread the cost over several months or even years. These plans often come with low-interest rates or interest-free periods, making them a manageable option for many budgets.

Look for Promotional Offers

Sometimes orthodontists provide special discounts or promotional offers, especially during certain times of the year or for first-time patients. Don’t hesitate to ask if any promotions are available that could help lower the costs.

Knowing your budget and payment options during the consultation will help prevent any surprises and ensure the treatment plan fits your financial circumstances.

Understanding Treatment Options

Orthodontists offer a variety of treatment options to address different orthodontic needs. Here’s a quick glimpse at some of the most common choices:

Traditional Metal Braces

These are the most familiar type of braces, and they’re highly effective for most orthodontic corrections.

Clear Braces

Nearly invisible, clear braces are a popular choice for adults who want a more discreet treatment option.

Self-ligating Braces

These braces use a special clip mechanism to hold the archwire in place, potentially reducing discomfort and shortening treatment time.

This system utilizes clear, removable aligners that gradually shift your teeth into the desired position.

Choosing the right orthodontic treatment depends on individual needs and preferences. Your orthodontist can help you understand the benefits and limitations of each option to ensure the best outcome for your smile.

Consider Your Lifestyle

Be upfront with your orthodontist about your lifestyle and any activities you participate in that might affect treatment. For instance, if you play contact sports, you might need special mouth guards to protect your braces. Discussing these factors helps the orthodontist tailor a treatment plan that fits seamlessly into your life.

Caring for Your Smile During Treatment

Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial throughout orthodontic treatment. Brushing and flossing become even more important, as food particles can easily get trapped around braces or aligners.

The orthodontist will provide specific instructions on how to brush and floss effectively with your braces or aligners. They may also recommend using special dental tools, such as interdental brushes or floss threaders, to ensure thorough cleaning.

Furthermore, regular dental checkups are essential during treatment. Your dentist will monitor your progress, clean your teeth professionally, and address any oral health concerns that may arise.

By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared for your first visit to a local orthodontist. Remember, this is an opportunity for you to ask questions, learn about treatment options, and feel confident about your decision. With a little preparation, you can take the first step towards achieving a straighter, healthier smile!

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• What Is Local Anesthesia Dental? (Common Uses & Side Effects)
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Bastrop City Council strips some duties from Mayor Lyle Nelson after ethics reprimand

BASTROP — The Bastrop City Council on Monday night limited and stripped some duties from Mayor Lyle Nelson during a packed meeting attended by both supporters and opponents of the mayor.

The move came after the city's ethics commission issued a letter of reprimand against the mayor on April 10 for interfering in an investigation involving a city contractor.

The council voted 4-1 on Monday to pull Nelson off any internal or external boards or committees, including the Bastrop Economic Development Commission and the Capital Area Council of Governments. In the same resolution, council members also approved barring Nelson from advocating for the city in the Legislature and to stop his participation in preparing the agenda for City Council meetings.

The resolution also makes it necessary for the mayor to have council approval for his expenses for business trips, conventions and other events. He also is now required to obtain council approval before speaking at any city functions or any city-sponsored events.

Nelson also is no longer allowed to sign and read proclamations at City Council meetings, according to another resolution the council passed unanimously. The resolutions that limit the mayor's duties can be reversed when a new City Council is elected.

"A public servant is expected to be honest, trustworthy and transparent in their actions," said Council Member Cynthia Meyer, who voted in support of the resolutions. "Lyle Nelson possesses none of these qualities."

Council Member Cheryl Lee was the only member to vote against the resolution that included stripping the mayor's membership on boards and commissions. "I am not fighting for the mayor," she said. "I am choosing in this moment to show grace and mercy in this situation."

Nelson said at the packed City Council meeting that he had not interfered in the investigation against a contractor for misuse of public funds. The council, he said, was trying to bully him into resigning. "I made a mistake of a personal and private nature," he said. Nelson said he had apologized to "friends and foes alike" and asked for forgiveness.

"I have decided tonight that I have no plans to resign as mayor of Bastrop," he said. "I have been beat up but not beat down."

More: Bastrop City Council files ethics complaint against mayor, says he interfered in inquiry

The council made its decision Monday after its members made a complaint in January saying Nelson refused to give officials eight and half months' worth of communications between him and Susan Smith, who is being investigated for misuse of public funds while she was the chief executive officer of Visit Bastrop. The marketing company promotes tourism and is funded by more than $1.5 million of the city's hotel occupancy tax.

The council approved the investigation in August after four Visit Bastrop employees complained to the city's human resources director, the city manager and a council member that Smith had misused public funds while pursuing an "inappropriate relationship with Lyle Nelson," the ethics complaint said.

During the investigation, a forensic audit of Visit Bastrop showed that from 2021 to 2023, approximately $70,000 in public funds from the city were spent on Visit Bastrop credit cards and approved by Smith without itemized receipts or other required documentation, the ethics complaint said.

More: 'You let us down'; Ethics panel reprimands Bastrop Mayor Nelson for inquiry interference

"Some amount of the misreported public funds have been identified to have been used in pursuit of a romantic relationship with Lyle Nelson while he was a city official," it said.

Nelson initially denied he had been involved with Smith until 232 pages of intimate text messages between them were discovered on her work iPad, the complaint said. He then admitted to the City Council "that there was a relationship that was sexual in nature and apologized to council for lying about the same," the complaint said.

The attorney hired by the city said in a report that there was no evidence that Nelson knew about the misuse of funds. Nelson said Monday that he had not misused any city money. He also said he had turned over to investigators all devices that he used for official city business, including his work cellphone, his iPad and his work computer.

Council Member Kevin Plunkett, who voted in favor of the resolutions, said that when a public information request had been made for Nelson's personal devices, including communications he had with other council members, Nelson said he had turned them all in. But Nelson did not do this, Plunkett said.

"He still has that information," said Plunkett. "He still has refused to provide it. I am all for forgiveness, but forgiveness has to come from fixing the problem that you created."

Council Member Jimmy Crouch, who also supported the resolutions, said Nelson did not offer an apology to the council until after "a stack of documents" (the text messages between Nelson and Smith) were placed in front of him and he could no longer deny that he had an intimate relationship with Smith. Crouch also said Nelson had chosen "to place himself above the city."

Mayor Pro Tem John Kirkland said there is an ongoing criminal investigation involving Visit Bastrop funds but did not say who was conducting it. The Texas Rangers have said they were looking into allegations against Smith.

Visit Bastrop has since been able to provide receipts and justification for much of the $70,000 in public funds that the forensic audit showed Smith had spent on Visit Bastrop credit cards without the proper documentation, Kirkland said at Monday's meeting.

The public funds now under investigation for misuse are some of the items contained within the receipts for the $70,000 and some contained in other Visit Bastrop spending reported by staff, Kirkland said.

A few members of the public on Monday asked Nelson to resign. "I would like you to quietly fade away into the shadows and let us heal," said Barbara Caldwell, who also is a member of the city's ethics panel.

Joe Grady Tuck, an attorney who served two terms as the district attorney for the 216th Judicial District, said the mayor should resign and said Nelson was "an embarrassment to the city."

But other people at the meeting supported the mayor.

"What is the rush toward judgment without any proof of wrongdoing?" asked Bastrop resident Stewart Bridges. Another resident, Debbie Moore, said at least one of the resolutions "denigrated the mayor."

"The mayor has contended that he didn't do anything wrong," she said.

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UK passes bill to send asylum seekers to Rwanda

Lawyers prepare for legal battles on behalf of individual asylum seekers challenging removal to east Africa

• How the UK government’s Rwanda deportation plan was fought in court

Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda deportation bill will become law after peers eventually backed down on amending it, opening the way for legal battles over the potential removal of dozens of people seeking asylum.

After a marathon battle of “ping pong” over the key legislation between the Commons and the Lords, the bill finally passed when opposition and crossbench peers gave way on Monday night.

The bill is expected to be granted royal assent on Tuesday. Home Office sources said they have already identified a group of asylum seekers with weak legal claims to remain in the UK who will be part of the first tranche to be sent to east Africa in July.

Sunak has put the bill, which would deport asylum seekers who arrive in the UK by irregular means to Kigali, at the centre of his attempts to stop small boats crossing the Channel.

The home secretary, James Cleverly, said it was a “landmark moment in our plan to stop the boats”.

In a video posted to social media, he said: “The safety of Rwanda bill has passed in parliament and it will become law within days.

“The act will prevent people from abusing the law by using false human rights claims to block removals. And it makes clear that the UK parliament is sovereign, giving government the power to reject interim blocking measures imposed by European courts.

“I promised to do what was necessary to clear the path for the first flight. That’s what we have done. Now we’re working day in and day out to get flights off the ground.”

Denisa Delić, director of advocacy at International Rescue Committee UK, said on Monday: “Irrespective of today’s passage of the safety of Rwanda bill, sending refugees to Rwanda is an ineffective, unnecessarily cruel and costly approach.

“Rather than outsourcing its responsibilities under international law, we urge the government to abandon this misguided plan and instead focus on delivering a more humane and orderly immigration system at home.

“This includes scaling up safe routes, such as resettlement and family reunion, and upholding the right to seek asylum.”

The Home Office has whittled the list down to 350 migrants who are deemed to pose the least risk of submitting successful legal challenges blocking their deportation.

Lawyers have told the Guardian that they will prepare legal challenges on behalf of individual asylum seekers. They can challenge their removal on a case-by-case basis, which could lead to their being taken off a flight list.

The bill allows challenges if a detainee faces a “real, imminent and foreseeable risk of serious irreversible harm if removed to Rwanda”.

They must lodge an appeal within eight days of receiving a deportation letter. The Home Office would then be given several days to respond. If their appeal is rejected, the person claiming asylum will then be given seven days to lodge a final appeal to an upper tribunal court, which will decide their claim within a further 23 days.

The deal will cost £1.8m for each of the first 300 deportees, the National Audit Office has confirmed.

Matthew Rycroft, the most senior civil servant in the Home Office who has overseen the scheme for two years, previously told MPs he did not have evidence to show that it had a deterrent effect that would make it value for money.

Home Office staff have privately warned that there is a risk of thousands of asylum seekers disappearing once removals begin, keen to avoid receiving notification that they are being sent to Kigali.

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Earlier, MPs stripped out amendments to the bill inserted by the Lords. Crossbench and Labour peers said they would reinsert similar changes in a battle of wills.

The government will not send those who are eligible under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap) to Rwanda, a Home Office minister told peers during one of the many debates held on Monday evening.

Lord Sharpe said: “Once this review of Arap decisions for those with credible links to Afghan specialist units has concluded, the government will not remove to Rwanda those who received a positive eligibility decision as a result of this review where they are already in the UK as of today.”

Lord Browne, a Labour former defence secretary who had been leading calls for such an assurance, said: “The minister does not believe this to be a concession, it is to him a restatement of what he has been telling us for some time, but in a different form.”

Meanwhile, leading lawyer and independent crossbencher Lord Anderson of Ipswich said of the Rwanda scheme: “Its benefits remain to be seen. Its costs will be measured, not only in money, but in principles debased: disregard for our international commitments, avoiding statutory protections for the vulnerable, and the removal of judicial scrutiny over the core issue of the safety of Rwanda.”

The prime minister also disclosed that the first flights removing asylum seekers to Rwanda were planned to depart in 10 to 12 weeks, missing his original spring target .

At a specially convened press conference on Monday morning, he said the government would “not let a foreign court” block flights to Rwanda and stressed that he would finally end the “legal merry-go-round” associated with deportation flights.

“Enough is enough,” he said. “No more prevarication, no more delay. Parliament will sit there tonight and vote no matter how late it goes. No ifs, no buts. These flights are going to Rwanda.”

Labour said Sunak was wrong to blame the party’s peers for delaying the Rwanda bill.

Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, said: “[The] Tories are the largest party in both Houses of Parliament and they could have scheduled the final stages of the bill a month ago but they voluntarily delayed it because they always want someone else to blame.”

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• House of Lords
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A dentist found an ancient human jawbone embedded in his parents’ tile floor

A dentist was visiting his parents’ newly renovated home in Europe when he noticed something odd: One of the floor tiles in a corridor leading to a terrace held what looked like a human mandible, sliced through at an angle, including a cross section of a few teeth.

Not knowing exactly what steps to take, the dentist posted a photo of the discovery on Reddit . The internet exploded with enthusiasm, interest and ick.

“It’s not so much the teeth that I noticed but the shape of the mandible that is very recognizable,” the dentist, known as Reddit user Kidipadeli75, wrote in an email. He spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect his family’s privacy.

He pointed out that the object in the tile bears a striking similarity to a slice of an image taken with a form of CT scan used in dentistry. “As I am specialized in implant dentistry I work with this kind of image everyday and it looked very familiar,” he said.

The tile, made of a type of limestone called travertine, was imported from a quarry in Turkey. Scientists are now working with the dentist to make sure the tile is properly studied — along with a few other suspicious-looking tiles installed in the house.

While this all may seem quite shocking, paleoanthropologists were both fascinated and a little unsurprised. Travertine can form quickly, but the stones used for commercial purposes tend to come from deposits that have formed over hundreds of thousands of years, ruling out a recent death.

This tile came from a quarry in the Denizli Basin in western Turkey, where the stone has previously been dated to 1.8 million to 0.7 million years ago, according to Mehmet Cihat Alcicek, a professor at Pamukkale University in Turkey who is part of the scientific team that plans to study the mandible.

This viral photo is a reminder that travertine, which forms near hot springs and is valued as an architectural material, often contains old fossils, and that digging it up can unearth ancient treasures. Those fossils can be anything that washes into the spring, from plants, freshwater crabs, deer and reptiles to — on occasion — human remains.

John Hawks, a paleoanthropologist at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, titled his blog post on the matter: “ How many bathrooms have Neanderthals in the tile? ”

“Every time I am in Home Depot, I go through the travertine tile looking for fossils!” said John W. Kappelman Jr., a paleoanthropologist at the University of Texas at Austin.

Fossils preserved in travertine

Scientists have found a menagerie of ancient fossils embedded in travertine from the Denizli Basin , including remains of mammoths , rhinos , giraffes, horses, deer, reptiles and turtles, according to Alcicek.

Researchers have also found at least one other ancient human in tile. In 2002, Alcicek began studying the formation of travertine in the Denizli Basin. Workers in a tile factory had been cutting stone when they noticed an ancient human fossil, part of a skull . The travertine had been sliced into a slab a little more than an inch thick, so parts of the skull had probably been destroyed — but fragments of the skull cap were recovered.

Alcicek and Kappelman studied the skull fragments, now known as the Kocabas hominin, and found it was the first specimen of Homo erectus to be discovered in Turkey. The skull fragments bore small lesions that were an indicator of tuberculosis, showing evidence of that pathogen in an ancient human. Recent efforts to date the specimen suggest it is more than a million years old .

“Who knows how much of the rest of it from the inferior portion of the cranium on down went unnoticed? We joke that maybe it was a complete skeleton, all the way to the tip of its toes,” Kappelman said in an email. “We literally spent weeks going through the discard pile at the factory looking for any additional bits but no go.”

It’s possible that other parts of the remains went on to be installed in kitchens.

Quarries elsewhere in the world have yielded similar finds. Parts of two hominin skulls and a mandible were discovered during excavations at a quarry in Bilzingsleben, Germany . Hawks said in his blog that they are thought to have been early Neanderthals or a different early human, Homo heidelbergensis .

But how common are incidental finds of ancient human remains in architectural tile?

“It’s twice as common as it was last week!” Hawks said in an email.

Buzz among paleoanthropologists

The latest find created immediate buzz among scientists who study ancient humans. Several paleoanthropologists said it was too tricky to hazard a guess from a photo as to the age or the precise species, but said it was absolutely worth following up on.

“It is clearly a human relative of some kind, but to rule out modern human or find out which ancient population it may belong to will take detailed study,” Hawks said.

Kappelman suggested that follow-up studies could include taking CT scans and 3D-printing the mandible, or perhaps even trying to see if ancient DNA could be recovered. The enamel of the teeth could be scrutinized to learn about what this individual ate.

The dentist who discovered the mandible said that he was inundated with interest from researchers from multiple universities after his Reddit post, and he is working with them now in hopes of learning more about the specimen. He said those researchers have also reached out to the company that sold the travertine to track the batch to the quarry and look for more pieces there.

Hawks said that, in general, if people see what might be human remains in their tile, they should contact local authorities. Laws vary, but in the United States, the process might involve a call to the state archaeologist or historical society.

Alcicek said that after the Homo erectus found in a factory was thoroughly studied, it was given to authorities and is now on exhibit in the Denizli Museum. He expected something similar would happen after the new specimen is carefully examined.

The entire episode is a reminder that construction projects and quarries have what Hawks calls an “ uneasy symbiosis ” with archaeologists. They can both expose and destroy ancient remains.

“The main constraint on finding the fossils is whether the travertine is being quarried!” Hawks wrote in an email.

The Olympics are nearly here. For a weary world, they can't come soon enough.

Start the countdown clock. In exactly 100 days, more than 10,000 athletes and tens of thousands of spectators will converge on Paris for the start of the 33rd Summer Olympic Games , a 16-day extravaganza that marks the first time the City of Lights has hosted the world’s pre-eminent sports festival in a century.

In keeping with the slogan for this year’s Olympics, “Games Wide Open,” the opening ceremony will take place outside a stadium setting for the first time. The plans are ambitious: a 3.5-mile boat parade along the Seine before as many as 325,000 onlookers on the river’s banks. The hundreds of athletic events — hosted by dozens of venues across Paris and other cities in metropolitan France — will likewise be open to large crowds.

In many respects, the Paris Games promise to be one of the most elaborate cultural rituals since Covid swept across the world beginning in late 2019. Health restrictions forced the organizers of Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 to sharply limit the scale of the festivities, with events largely closed to the public. Paris 2024, powered in part by pent-up demand for communal experiences, symbolizes an international post-pandemic vibe shift.

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But with that spirit of openness comes all-too-familiar challenges. The festivities in Europe’s most densely populated city are shadowed by security concerns . The International Olympic Committee and French officials have insisted that they are putting strict security measures in place. Yet the recent history of violence in France — including the 2015 terror attack in Paris that left 138 people dead and at least 416 injured — stalks public consciousness there.

The geopolitical backdrop for the Paris Games is no less troubling. The war between Israel and Hamas recently crossed the six-month mark, raising fears of a protracted conflict and wider regional instability. The devastation in the Gaza Strip has provoked international outrage, isolating Israel on the global stage. Meanwhile, Russia continues to gain ground in its military offensive against Ukraine as some Western nations worry about the rise of authoritarianism.

These international crises could come into play during the Games in the form of protests and other political demonstrations.

“It is certain that the international context is particularly tense today,” Tony Estanguet, president of the Games’ organizing committee, recently told Radio France . “I believe in this universal event. It’s up to us to preserve, to talk about sport and not to politicize the subject too much.”

Nevertheless, Olympics organizers are determined to put on a show that stuns the throngs assembled on the boulevards of Paris, not to mention the millions of people expected to watch the Games unfold on their televisions and mobile devices. If the surge of enthusiasm for the Super Bowl, Taylor Swift, March Madness and the solar eclipse is any guide, then audiences are craving spectacle — and the Paris Games could be just the ticket.

Going for the gold

The scale of the Paris Games is immense: nearly 40 sports and more than 300 events hosted in at least 35 venues in Paris and other cities across metropolitan France. Following two Games that were hampered by Covid protocols and other tight restrictions, Paris could resemble a colossal international party, heralded by five Olympic rings (fashioned from recycled French steel) that will be displayed on the south side of the Eiffel Tower.

“The last two Olympics certainly didn’t have the look and feel of what we expect from the Games,” said Jeremy Fuchs, a sports writer and the author of a 2021 book about the history of the Olympics. “I would expect Paris to go all out. … With fans back in the stands, we should expect one of the more raucous Games in recent memory.”

The iconic landmarks will be immediately recognizable to worldwide TV viewers. Beach volleyball players will show off their jump serves at a temporary outdoor arena at the Champ de Mars, a large public park at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Equestrian and modern pentathlon competitions will take place at the Palace of Versailles , one of the emblems of French royal history. The 124-year-old Grand Palais will host fencing and taekwondo.

At least one venue that hosted events during the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris will be put to use again: Stade Yves-du-Manoir, the home of the opening ceremony 100 years ago. (The stadium also hosted some of the races depicted in the Oscar-winning film “Chariots of Fire.”) This time around, the 117-year-old arena will stage field hockey competitions.

The sports themselves are sure to draw wide attention, from basketball and boxing to sailing and swimming. Breaking (also known as break dancing) is set to make its Olympics debut, and three recently introduced competitions — sport climbing, skateboarding and surfing — will be integrated into the Paris Games, too. (Karate, softball and baseball won’t be part of the lineup.)

The vast majority of events are set to unfold across France, though there is one exception. The surfing competition will take place in a village on the southwestern coast of Tahiti. Paris organizers chose to hold the surfing events on the French Polynesian island because it “offers an opportunity to engage French overseas territories and their communities in the Olympic Games — for the first time in history — while showcasing France’s rich and diverse heritage.”

Paris organizers have signaled that they are attempting to reach younger audiences by featuring sports that are “closely associated with youth and reward creativity and athletic performance.” But given that relatively few people in their teens and 20s watch traditional linear television, the IOC faces a steep climb in convincing viewers in that age bracket to tune in, according to David Goldblatt, the author of “The Games: A Global History of the Olympics.”

This year’s Games will be more widely accessible to at-home viewers thanks in part to streaming. Peacock, the streaming platform owned by NBCUniversal, plans to invest heavily in live coverage of the festivities, including a “multiview” feature that allows subscribers to watch up to four competitions at the same time.

Superstar personalities could help make the case for the Games as must-see TV. Simone Biles, the seven-time Olympic medal-winning gymnast, hopes to compete in Paris. The list of U.S. athletes who could make waves also includes swimmer Katie Ledecky as well as track-and-field sprinters Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson.

David Wallechinsky, a former president of the International Society of Olympic Historians and the author of “The Complete Book of the Olympics,” said he was most excited about the track-and-field competitions because he believes the sport has the most universal appeal — unlike, say, “swimming the 400-meter medley or participating in equestrian dressage.”

In total, more than 200 countries — known in IOC parlance as national olympic committees, or NOCs — plan to send their most elite athletes to Paris, where most will check into the Olympic Village on the banks of the Seine. Russia and Belarus were banned from the Olympics after Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022 — four days after the conclusion of the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

The final stretch

In recent months, preparations for the Games have arguably been overshadowed by the grinding realities of war and humanitarian disaster. Paris 2024 is just the latest in a long line of Olympic Games that have taken place against a backdrop of geopolitical turmoil, according to Wallechinsky, who pointed to several key examples.

The 1936 Summer Olympics were hosted by Berlin and opened by Adolf Hitler three years before the outbreak of World War II. Twenty-nine countries boycotted the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal to protest the fact that New Zealand’s rugby team had toured apartheid South Africa. The massacre of 11 Israeli athletes and coaches by Palestinian members of the Black September terrorist organization cast a pall over the 1972 Summer Games in Munich and underscored the violent tensions that are often inseparable from the athletic competitions at the heart of the Olympics.

In the Cold War era, the U.S. led a boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow and the former Soviet Union sat out the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

In the lead-up to the Paris Games, France announced it would deploy 45,000 police, military officers and army troops across the country. The country has requested reinforcements from 46 foreign partners — a “classic approach adopted by host countries when organizing major international events,” the Interior Ministry has said. Everyone involved in the Games — security officials, building workers, volunteers — will be put through background checks, too.

French government officials also decided to cap the number of people allowed to watch the opening ceremony at 325,000. Two years ago, organizers had proposed making the July 26 opening festivities accessible to as many as 600,000 people, a grand gathering that would span 6 kilometers (roughly 3.7 miles), stretching from the east of Paris to the Trocadéro.

In response to a request for comment on the security fears, an IOC spokesperson said French authorities had informed the committee that “they have been working for a couple of years under the assumption that the highest security measures will be required.” The spokesperson said that, per usual practices, “there is also very close international cooperation.”

“Based on this and the regular reports the IOC receives from them, we have full confidence in the French authorities and their strong collaboration with their international partners,” the spokesperson added.

In the run-up to the opening ceremony, organizers are also confronting markedly less existential issues — including high levels of “pollution of fecal origin” and other bacteria in the Seine , an environmental headache that might force officials to nix the triathlon swimming section.

“We are working hard on it. You know it’s one of the bigger challenges,” Estanguet told reporters this month.

In the end, though, spectators around the world will likely be focused on the pageantry and competition, savoring the first full-fledged Olympic Games in more than half a decade.

Disclosure: NBC News parent company NBCUniversal owns NBC Sports and NBC Olympics. NBC Olympics is the U.S. broadcast rights holder to all Summer and Winter Games through 2032.

Daniel Arkin is a national reporter at NBC News.