Some people, when they think about visiting the dentist’s office, find themselves so caught up in the cringing and anxiety that they don’t really take the time to understand why the appointments are important – especially when they don’t have dental pain and there aren’t any cosmetic procedures that they really want to have done.

Given some of the experiences that people have had while at the dentist, this makes some sense. Therefore, first we’ll tell you this: not every dentist gets a rush out of causing pain, some really are there because they know that they can help people. Next, we’ll tell you a bit about what really happens when you visit the dentist’s office.

In addition to cleaning your teeth, the dentist is going to take a look at your gums to make sure that they are healthy and are not displaying any signs of gum disease. Evidence of decay will be looked for – both visible decay and that which is likely to only show up on x-rays. Of course, decay isn’t the only problem that the dentist will look for; your dentis will check to make sure that your bite is even, that there aren’t crowding issues, chips or cracks in the enamel of your teeth and that there hasn’t been any damage done to the fillings and dental work that you’ve already had done.

If you have a bridge, a mouthguard or a retainer, your dentist will make sure that these fit well. He or she will look at your tongue, the tissue on the insides of your cheeks and even look for swelling of lymph nodes that could indicate other health problems.

All of these things contribute to your overall health – and that is why dental care is so important. Why take unnecessary risks? If the only thing that stops you from going to the dentist is your dentist, maybe it’s time to focus on finding a new office where you can get the care you need.