You probably know how important is to have healthy teeth and mouth in general for overall wellbeing. Healthy teeth and gums are not only important for good look, but also for many other things. Digestion starts in the mouth, so bad teeth can be a source of many problems. That’s why we all take care of them a lot, and one of the indispensable parts of our routine is going to the dentist every couple of months for a check-up and whenever we have a problem. Our dentist is very important to us, because we trust him to know the inside of our mouth well and that he will notice and solve every problem in time.
However, there are times when you need to change your dentist. The reasons can be various, and the two most common are that you are moving. And the second most common reason is that you are not happy with the service and that is why you want the change. Whatever your reason is, the steps you need to take at that point are the same. It is certainly something that needs to be taken more seriously than, for example, when changing the gym or cafe you go to. So read the things you should know when changing dentists so you don’t miss out on doing something important.
1. Reasons to change dentist
If you change it because you are moving, then the reason is clear. But if that is your wish, then you need to know what reasons are justified to do it as soon as possible. The first thing that can make you take this step is if every time you go to clinic, it hurts you too much. Yes, it happens that the intervention hurts and that is normal. But we all know when it’s necessary and when it is not. If it hurts every time, even when it comes to cleaning and similar routine procedures, then it means that the dentist is either not professional enough or is careless. Both are equally bad. Also, giving anesthesia should not hurt. If you notice that you are reluctant to go to the dentist because you are sure to experience pain, change him. Then in the office, everything must be spotlessly clean. If you notice any signs of dirt it is a red flag. After all, your health is at stake. Lastly, the valid reason for the change is price. If he is more expensive but justifies that price with the quality of the work and materials, that’s ok. But if he uses all the same materials as the others, and charges double, there is no reason to throw money away.
2. You have to do thorough online research
Whatever your reasons for changing dentists, it is not a decision to be made in a hurry. So as soon as you decide to take that step, start searching the Internet for all the clinics in your area or in the area where you are moving. Of course the first thing you will look for are the reviews and recommendations. Don’t pay attention to every negative review, but see if they are mostly positive. A dentist is not a wizard, so he can solve every problem for everyone, but that will not stop people from writing a negative review. If there are 1 or 2 negatives and 50 positives there is no reason to worry. Take a look at what the website is like, it speaks of the professionalism of the whole practice. Then compare the prices between the couple of clinics that left the best impression on you. Then you will have enough information to make a good decision.
3. Ask for a recommendation
Ask your family and friends to recommend a dentist to whom they go. Maybe they are very satisfied and there is no reason to look further, when you know that you will get the best service there. Also, they may not have someone to recommend to you, but they will tell you who to avoid.
4. Check out what his specialty is
You will find it easiest if you need a general dentist, who knows how to do all the usual actions such as repairing teeth, brushing teeth, gum care, making bridges and the like. But if you need a specialist, then you need to find one to get the best possible care. You may need a specialist if you have a child or if you need implants, then you need a surgeon, a prosthetist if you need brace and the like. There are clinics like Northstar-Dental-Care where you can find a dentist of all specialties and some other clinics deal with only one thing. It is up to you to find what you need.
5. Check with insurance
Don’t forget to check if the dentist you choose takes out your insurance policy. Not everyone works with every insurance and if you fail to check that, you may have to pay a not so small amount of money. So when you start your search, first check if your insurance is adequate, otherwise you may find the perfect one, but you will not be able to go to him, so you will just waste time and get upset.
6. You will need new x-rays
Unless you have had an x-ray in the last month, a new dentist will ask you to do so in order to have up to date results. Even if your teeth are completely healthy, he must definitely gain full insight into them and that is why he will need an x-ray. Only when he has a complete picture of the inside of your mouth will he will know what to do next. If you are wondering why you have to do it again, and you did it only a few months ago, your teeth and gums are constantly changing and every responsible dentist will not accept anything older than a month. And sometimes he won’t even accept x-rays from another clinic at all, but will ask you to do it again.
7. Dental records transfer
A new dentist needs to have an insight into your dental past, so you need to transfer all your records. It may cost you, although the fees are very small. It’s even easier to sign a release form and let your new dentist do it all for you. Then you don’t have to have contact with the old one if you don’t want to.
Conclusion:
And don’t forget that if a new one doesn’t suit you, find another one. Just because you’ve just changed, doesn’t mean you have to stay with him. Your health is at stake, so you can do whatever you want.
