What to Expect at Your First Visit to K Street Dental
Knowing what to expect at your first dental appointment can help you understand how it works and put you at ease — especially if you have any anxiety about going to the dentist.
At K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group in Washington, DC, your oral health is our top priority. We’re a team of dental professionals who help you feel comfortable at each office visit and give you the best care possible.
Whether it’s your child’s initial visit or your first time to come in and see us as an adult, you can feel confident about the care we offer.
Your initial visit
Your first appointment with our team involves our learning about your oral health, answering your questions, and offering guidance on how to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
The consultation
At your first visit, we provide a sitdown consultation, when you can ask questions about any concerns you might have about your oral health. We also find out if you have any issues with your jaw, teeth, gums, bite, tongue, or cheeks.
Your initial visit with us is the beginning of our lifelong relationship with you for your dental care. Your records stay on file at our practice, making it easy to track any changes with your oral health at each visit.
The examination
Before we look at your teeth and gums, we learn about your dental and medical history. We also take X-rays to get an inside view of your oral health. Throughout your visit, we check on your comfort level to keep you relaxed and calm.
During your oral screening, we can identify concerning issues, including:
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Mouth sores
- Loss of tooth structure
- Tooth sensitivity
- Oral cancer
We can also determine if you might need braces to cosmetically correct your teeth or bite and improve your oral health.
The last step of your visit includes a professional teeth cleaning and polishing. We remove existing plaque that can turn into tartar to help you avoid gum disease.
The education
We teach you how to take care of your oral health on a regular basis to keep your teeth in the best condition possible. We offer advice such as:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Floss at least once a day
- Rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash daily
- Don’t bite down on hard objects like pens or pencils
- Don’t chew hard foods, such as ice or hard candy
- Don’t use your teeth as tools to tear open bags or snap a top off of a bottle
Depending on the condition of your oral health, our recommendations may vary. We tailor each visit to your specific needs.
Your continued visits
After your first visit, we schedule routine visits. You should come in to see us once every six months for a cleaning. We also take X-rays once a year during your teeth cleaning appointments to check for issues we can’t see with the naked eye.
You’re always welcome to talk with us about your oral health at any of your visits. You can also call our team, especially if you have an emergency. We’re here to help you achieve and maintain optimum oral health.
To hear what others say about us, take a moment to watch these testimonials. To book your first appointment, contact us by phone. You can also send us a message if you have questions before you come in. We look forward to serving you at K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group.