Having your tooth poked and prodded with scary-sounding and pointy instruments could make even the bravest individuals squirm of their seats (or on this case, a dentist’s chair). As nerve-racking as dental appointments will be, although, it’s vital to schedule a check-up each six months. And maybe a very powerful issue that’ll decide whether or not or not you’ve a cushty versus scary go to is the supplier you select, Marina Gonchar, DMD, a board-certified orthodontist and proprietor of Pores and skin to Smile in New Jersey, tells SELF.

“So many individuals are petrified of going to the dentist for quite a lot of causes, together with earlier unhealthy experiences, lack of understanding about what to anticipate, and even worry of the prices related to many therapies,” Dr. Gonchar says. These are very legitimate considerations, in fact, however discovering a dentist who helps you are feeling protected and supported can alleviate quite a lot of these stressors—and most suppliers ought to exit of their technique to decrease any discomfort or nervousness, she provides.

On the flip aspect, a dentist who retains pressuring you into pointless procedures or leaves you at the hours of darkness about how painful a root canal really is will be sufficient to scare you off for good. With that in thoughts, listed below are some main crimson flags to be conscious of earlier than you e-book your subsequent dentist appointment.

1. They don’t have correct credentials.

A flowery diploma on the wall and a crisp white coat could make anybody look legit; however simply because a dentist appears spectacular doesn’t imply they’re. As a normal rule, you’ll be able to lookup their license and renewal standing on-line as a result of it’s public info, Chrystle Cu, DDS, a dentist at Younger Dental Group in San Mateo, California, and founding father of Cocofloss, tells SELF. (You’ll find these details for each state right here or right here).

In case you’re undecided what precisely to search for, or if this complete vetting course of is critically intimidating you, Dr. Cu recommends first checking their diploma—and particularly ensuring you see DDS (physician of dental surgical procedure) or DMD (physician of medication in dentistry) after their identify in the event that they’re working towards within the US or Canada. (In line with the American Dental Affiliation, each levels are just about the identical and contain comparable coaching.) So solely having a PhD in oral biology, as an example, doesn’t qualify somebody to take a drill to your mouth, no matter how educated they’re in regards to the discipline.

2. They don’t talk about your dental historical past.

Any certified dentist ought to be capable of instantly spot a very unhealthy cavity or unfastened filling. However they may not be capable of see your predisposition for gum illness or dangerous habits like tooth grinding at first look—and even when they’ll, that’s one thing they need to talk about with you throughout your first go to, Dr. Cu says.

For one factor, failing to contemplate your well being historical past earlier than treating you will be harmful. Sure supplies generally utilized in dentistry, like latex, can set off an allergic response in some individuals, for instance, whereas people could reply badly to explicit ache meds, comparable to opioids. And in case you have a situation like diabetes or hypertension, that may additionally impression your oral well being, in addition to your remedy choices, Dr. Cu says.

3. They push you to get a non-emergency process on the spot.

It’s one factor to wish a fractured or contaminated tooth handled ASAP, particularly in case you haven’t been to the dentist shortly and your well being is at stake. For essentially the most half, although, any complicated process (comparable to knowledge tooth extraction or dental implants) will likely be deliberate weeks prematurely, Dr. Gonchar and Dr. Cu say. Speeding you right into a non-emergency remedy at your first appointment could also be an try and prioritize income, since surgical procedures and different invasive measures sometimes contain increased charges than routine checkups, Dr. Gonchar provides.

4. They maintain suggesting beauty therapies that you just didn’t ask for.

A few of us go to the dentist in pursuit of the sparkliest, straightest, pearliest of whites. Others simply need the naked minimal: An expert to inform us whether or not or not our tooth are wholesome so we will transfer on with our lives.