A lot of people feel embarrassed to make a dentist appointment if a long time has passed since their last check-up or if they’ve never been back to the dentist since they were children.
Don’t worry. This is a really common circumstance for a lot of people, especially people who are afraid of the dental chair.
I know so many people who have avoided going to the dentist for years simply because they hadn’t been there in a while and were afraid of being judged or criticized for neglecting their oral health. They think the dentist or hygienist is going to take one look in their mouth and be appalled at what they see.
Let me tell you, that’s not the case. As health care providers, our primary goal is to make sure your mouth is healthy. We want to make sure you are disease-free and out of any discomfort. We are not here to scold, pass judgment, or make fun of you and we do not think any less of somebody if they require a filling, a root canal, or an extraction. Remember, most people, including most dentists, have had some form of dental treatment at one time or another themselves.
So don’t be embarrassed to come in and don’t wait until it becomes an emergency.
Remember that if you do have a problem, the longer you wait to have it checked-out, the worse it is likely to get. Don’t let your fear of being judged stand in the way of getting the proper care you and your mouth deserves.