Dental checkups and cleanings are one of the best and easiest ways to preserve and improve your oral health, and, according to dentists like Dr. Kyle Milson of Dental Depot in Kansas City, making the appointment is the first and most important step. The second is showing up, but for more than half of all adults, fears, concerns, or hesitation about visiting the dentist prevent them from seeking the routine care needed for good health.
That’s why Dr. Milson, along with all of the dentists at Dental Depot in Kansas City, are passionate about educating patients to help them eliminate barriers to care and feel more confident in their options and decisions regarding treatment.
Here, Dr. Milson addresses some of the most common reasons he sees from patients for putting off dental appointments.
Dental professionals recommend you see a dentist at least twice a year for an exam and cleaning. The cleaning helps remove harmful plaque and tartar that can cause decay and inflammation like cavities and gingivitis, while the exam helps your dentist identify any areas of concern that may need preventive or restorative treatment. Problems with your oral health generally won’t resolve themselves on their own and will eventually get worse, leading to even more costly, painful, and time-consuming procedures, so there are only benefits to catching issues early.
During an appointment, your dentist can give you helpful guidance and tips on everything from optimizing your at-home oral hygiene routine to educating you on how cavities form and making recommendations for preventing gingivitis and periodontitis.
Dentists also appreciate the opportunity to share how they can help improve your oral health. For example, says Dr. Milson, “nightguards can help with a multitude of issues, including temporomandibular joint disorders and migraines.”
What’s more, going to a dental appointment is easy. All you need to bring with you, Dr. Milson says, is “your teeth. And an open mind.”
When it comes to advice on caring for your teeth, Dr. Milson’s guidance is pretty simple and pretty standard across all patient demographics: Brush more, floss more, visit your dentist regularly, and avoid sugary drinks. Those instructions, he says, are the same for everyone every day, whether you’re one week away from your visit or one month after. Moreover, don’t save all your brushing and flossing for the morning of your appointment; not only will it not do any good as far as making your teeth cleaner, but it may actually make your teeth and gums tender and more sensitive than they would have already been.
Millions of people feel nervous or apprehensive about visiting the dentist. This can be for a variety of reasons, and in some people, the anxiety can be so severe it keeps them from ever seeking dental care. They may be worried about having cavities and needing treatment, or they may be embarrassed about their oral health. They may have had a bad experience in the past or been unhappy with previous treatment.
Whatever is causing the stress regarding a dental appointment, Dr. Milson wants people to know it’s normal, it’s nothing to be ashamed of, and it shouldn’t prevent you from getting care.
“Oral health is beneficial to overall health,” explains Dr. Milson. “The longer you wait for a cleaning or to treat that tooth pain, the more likely you are to develop more significant issues in the future.”
When Dr. Milson first meets with a patient, his primary goal is to make the patient feel comfortable.
“I like to start out with some lighthearted conversation and tell them I completely understand their apprehension,” he says. “I try to create a relaxed environment and treat them as gently as possible, probably throwing in some jokes or small talk as a distraction.”
He also assures his patients that he isn’t passing any judgment. “I tell them that the most important thing is that they are here now so we can address their concerns.”
Skepticism, especially about treatment, is one of the most common obstacles dentists like Dr. Milson come across, and it can be one of the biggest hurdles to helping patients achieve the best results possible.
“I wish more patients knew that we are there to help them,” says Dr. Milson. “We care about their oral health, and we’re not going to hurt them or gouge their wallets.”
To combat this, Dr. Milson takes the approach of transparency and honesty from the very beginning.
“First I ask the patient if any teeth are bothering them or if they have any concerns about their oral condition,” he says. “I ask when their last exam or cleaning was and if there is anything in particular they want to address. Then I do an intraoral and extraoral exam and review the radiographs, then share my findings with the patient.”
Dr. Milson usually does this by either pointing out areas of concern—such as decay or signs of gum disease—on the patient x-rays or with a dental mirror.
“I’ll say, ‘I want to show you exactly what I’m seeing so that you don’t have to take my word for it.’ Then I’ll fully explain all of their treatment options, including the pros and cons of each, as well as my personal opinion. Then, I leave the decision up to them.”
By educating and informing instead of forcing treatment plans, Dr. Milson hopes to show his patients that he truly cares for them, and he wants them to understand why he’s recommending what he is—so the patient can experience optimal oral health.
“The most rewarding part of my job is seeing a patient with a big fear of the dentist or with real skepticism and pessimism about my motivations lose that fear or distrust, accept my advice, follow through with the treatment, and completely change their oral health for the better.”
If for whatever reason a patient isn’t happy with the diagnosis or the treatment options, though, Dr. Milson encourages them to seek a second opinion.
“This is your mouth,” he says. “We want you to make the decision that’s right for you.”
With two locations in Blue Springs and Independence, Dental Depot of Kansas City is part of one of the fastest-growing doctor-owned dental support organizations (DSOs) in the country. Committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive dental services at an affordable price, Dental Depot of Kansas City delivers care for your entire family at every stage of life, from preventive treatments like fluoride and dental sealants to restorative procedures like fillings, root canals, and bridges.
At Dental Depot of Kansas City, we believe you and your family deserve the best. Find the location nearest you and schedule your next dental appointment today!
