Poor oral hygiene can cause a variety of health issues. They can increase your risk for heart disease, dementia, and diabetes. Poor oral health can also cause infections, pain, and tooth loss that can negatively affect the lives of people everywhere. This is why you need a dentist.
A dentist can help you stay on track with your oral hygiene, treat dental issues that are causing you pain, and even spot potential health problems you and your doctor should be aware of.
A lot of people hate the dentist. Some are scared of them; others just don’t like the feeling of some stranger touching their mouths. A few might even be embarrassed by how they smile and can’t work up the courage to seek help.
But dentists, like the ones in Kessler Dental in Lansdale PA, don’t judge you for your poor oral health. Dentists are there to educate you and treat you with respect while they take care of your dental issues. They won’t make you feel bad about your lack of hygiene practices or any issues you’re experiencing.
When you’re ready to get your oral health back on track, the first thing you need to do is find a quality dentist who can treat you in your area. It can be tricky at first to find a dentist near you, especially if you don’t know where to look. Here are some quick tips for finding a dentist near you.
Look for good reviews
Reviews are the bread and butter of any good business. When you go online and simply google dentists in your area, lots of different options are going to pop up. This is where reviews come in really handy.
Customers are for the most part, brutally honest. This can be beneficial for you in finding a high-quality dentist close by because you can avoid places that have lousy reviews. If a dentist’s office has fewer than four stars, then it’s probably best to look somewhere else. Especially if the negative reviews are about poor hygiene or rude staff.
Reviews aren’t always reliable so make sure you read some of the good ones too and check to see how many customers left them. Poor reviews left by disgruntled customers can sometimes be exaggerated so a good rule of thumb is to look to see how many positive versus negative reviews are out there. If the reviews are mostly good in nature, then that dentist’s office can be a good choice for you. Here are some more times on how to evaluate reviews online. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-evaluate-online-reviews
Get a referral
This is probably one of the best ways to get a dentist. Word of mouth is how a lot of small businesses receive customers and a dentist’s office is no exception. You can ask your friends, family, and coworkers about their experience with their dentist. Chances are that if they have a dentist who they regularly see, it’s a positive experience.
Since you trust your friends and family with other aspects of your life, you can trust them to find you a reliable, quality dentist for you. And the good news is that your dentist will be close by too!
One downfall to this method has to do with insurance. If your friend or family member doesn’t have the same insurance plan as you, then there’s a chance your dentist isn’t part of your network. Call ahead to make sure when you call to schedule your appointment.
Head down to your local dentist’s office to check them out
After receiving an initial referral or checking out local clinics online, a good way to see if you want to be seen by a particular dentist is to visit the office in person. While this seems old-fashioned or strange to some people, it’s actually a real goof method to use.
By visiting the clinic in person, you can talk to the staff and get a feel for the environment. If a staff member is rude or the environment makes you feel uncomfortable, then there’s no harm in walking out and going somewhere else. But if you just go by online reviews or personal referrals, you risk going into an environment that isn’t going to be the best fit for you.
Checking out the practice in person will prevent any awkward encounters or uncomfortable situations during your initial exam. If you’re looking for information on what to avoid when choosing a dentist, click here.
Check out the age of the practice
There are two schools of thought surrounding the age of any practice, whether it’s a dentist’s office or not. Some think it’s best to go to a place that’s been around for a while. It shows how well they do as a business and how much people in the community like them.
However, just because a practice is older or well-established, doesn’t mean that they’re the right practice for you. There’s no guarantee that you’ll like the office or receive quality treatment. You also run into a problem with getting in a timely manner. Since the practice already has lots of patients, it can be a long wait to be seen.
Going to a newer practice can be risky because there won’t be as many reviews to sift through. However, newer practices are usually eager to accept new patients so you shouldn’t have trouble getting in for an appointment. Especially if you’re experiencing an issue that can’t be put off.
As you can see there are advantages and disadvantages to both kinds of practices, both older and newer. It’s best to go with your gut and best judgment when you’re choosing a dentist.
There are lots of ways you can find a quality dentist in your area. As long as you practice patience and do your research, you’ll be able to find someone who can help maintain your oral health. If you’re in pain, have bad breath, or have lost teeth, don’t wait to start your search.
