3 Reasons People Miss Dental Appointments and Why You Shouldn’t

Has it been a while since you’ve seen the dentist? While there are common reasons that contribute to missed dental appointments, it is important that people understand the need for regular checkups and cleanings. Keeping regular appointments can save you time and money down the road. This is because seeing a dentist frequently increases your odds of enjoying early detection and preventive oral healthcare. Moreover, a dental checkup is a thorough examination that includes screenings for potential issues like gum disease and oral cancer.

Following are three of the most common reasons people miss dental checkups and cleanings.

Dental Anxiety and Phobia

Dental anxiety might be more common than many think. Dental anxiety and phobia can produce such debilitating fear of dental setting that people will forego professional treatment for years. When a person has a dental phobia, he or she experiences intense feelings of worry and fear when it comes to dental treatment, clinical settings, and the sights and sounds of a dental practice.

Our team understands the needs of our patients with dental anxieties. We strive to ensure that our guests receive compassionate and comfortable care. We offer sedation dentistry as one method for combatting dental anxiety. Sedation can increase comfort, ease the mind, and put the body at ease.

Scheduling Conflicts

For many people, missing dental appointments arises due to scheduling conflicts. Even though appointments for checkups and cleanings are made well in advance, it is important to keep up with your calendar. If you believe an upcoming event might affect your ability to make your appointment, call our practice so that we can reschedule. Our team is happy to work with our patients’ schedules. Be sure to give us as much advanced notice as possible so that we can accommodate you.

Oral Health Misinformation

Misinformation is another reason people miss appointments. Some people mistakenly believe that oral healthcare is only necessary when there is an obvious problem such as a toothache or injury. If non-dental professionals relied on only their symptoms as a marker of oral health, millions of people would lose out on the benefits of early detection and conservative treatment.

Call us today at Charlottesville Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center to reserve an appointment.