Haven’t Been to the Dentist in Years? What to Expect

Maybe it’s been two years since your last dental visit. Maybe five. Maybe you can’t even remember.

If you’ve fallen out of the routine of seeing a dentist, you’re not alone! Plenty of people are in the same boat and have put off dental care for all kinds of understandable reasons. We know that a change in insurance, a busy schedule, a health crisis, little kids, anxiety, or one bad experience in the dental chair can turn six months into a few years in what feels like the blink of an eye.

You don’t need to do anything special before coming back. There’s no need to get your teeth “ready,” and nothing to apologize for! Your first visit back is an opportunity to find out where things stand and make a plan for keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

Will my dentist know I haven’t been in a while?

Our dentists and hygienists can learn a lot about your oral health and habits by examining your teeth and gums. During an exam, we might notice things like tartar buildup, cavities, gum inflammation, or older dental work that’s starting to wear out.

Providers at our practice regularly see people who haven’t been to the dentist in years (or even decades). We’re not here to look backward or to make you feel bad about the time that’s passed.

What happens at your first dental visit in years?

If it’s been a while, we’ll typically start by getting a comprehensive picture of your current oral health. That begins with reviewing your medical and dental history and talking about anything you’ve noticed. This is a great time to tell us about tooth sensitivity, bleeding gums, pain when chewing, changes in your bite, concerns about the appearance of your teeth, or anything else that’s been bothering you.

Appointments generally include a comprehensive exam, gum evaluation, oral cancer screening, and x-rays. If you’re having pain, we can start with a more problem-focused exam to address the immediate concern first, before we zoom out and look at the bigger picture.

Will I need dental x-rays?

Almost definitely. X-rays lets us see things that aren’t visible to our eyes during an exam, including decay between teeth, changes in the bone surrounding teeth, and certain problems involving your tooth roots. We’ll decide which x-rays you need based on how long it’s been, any concerns you’re having, and what we see inside your mouth.

So if you haven’t been to the dentist in a long time, x-rays will be an important part of figuring out where things stand. But, that doesn’t mean everyone automatically needs the same images on the same schedule.

Can I get my teeth cleaned at my first appointment back?

If getting your teeth cleaned is one of your goals for the visit, usually, yes. But there’s a caveat: not everyone needs the same type of cleaning.

A routine wellness teeth cleaning is intended for a generally healthy mouth. If we find gum disease or a lot of buildup below your gums, a regular cleaning might not be the right fit.

Scaling and root planing, sometimes called a ‘deep cleaning’ or ‘gum therapy,’ is used to treat periodontal disease (gum disease). People with a history of periodontal disease may also need periodontal maintenance follow up visits rather than a standard preventive cleaning.

This can sometimes be surprising if you scheduled an appointment expecting “just a cleaning.” If you need something other than a routine cleaning, we’ll explain why and talk it through with you first.

What if the dentist finds a lot of problems?

This is one of the biggest fears we hear from people who have been putting off an appointment: “What if they find everything wrong at once?” There might be more than one tooth that needs attention, but you don’t usually need to fix everything at once.

After your exam, we’ll go over what we found and what should be taken care of first. Something painful, infected, or at risk of getting significantly worse should usually be scheduled for treatment fairly quickly. Other treatment may be appropriate to schedule later, and some findings may simply need to be monitored.

If we find several things to address, we’ll help you prioritize. You’ll leave knowing what needs to be taken care of soon, what can wait, and the estimated cost of each option.

What if I’m embarrassed about my teeth?

Please don’t let embarrassment keep you from making an appointment. Every single week we see a very wide range of oral health conditions. Our job is to diagnose and treat people, not to grade how well they’ve kept up with dental appointments. We offer an encouraging, nonjudgmental space.

If anxiety or a previous negative dental experience is part of the reason you’ve stayed away, let us know. You can ask questions, ask for explanations before something happens, or let your provider know that you may need a break during treatment.

You’re also allowed to say that you’re nervous. That information can help us take better care of you.

What if I don’t have dental insurance?

You don’t need dental insurance to see a dentist! Our new patient special is $450 for a comprehensive exam, wellness cleaning, full set of x-rays, and fluoride treatment. If you’re in pain, then there’s a new patient special of $199 for a problem-focused exam and x-rays. We also offer a Care+ Membership that starts at $64 a month.

If you do have dental insurance, we’ll help you understand your benefits. Your plan may not help with every service your dentist recommends, so our Treatment Coordinators will also explain any estimated out-of-pocket costs and pay-over-time options.

How often will I need to see the dentist after I go back?

There isn’t one schedule that is right for everybody.

Lots of people leave with a recommendation to come back and see us every six months for routine care. Others may benefit from coming in more often, especially if they have gum disease or tend to get cavities.

Your dentist and hygienist will recommend how often you should come back based on what they see at your visit.

Coming back to the dentist on NYC’s Upper West Side

Whether it’s been six months, two years, ten years, or longer since your last dental appointment, there’s no need to get your teeth “ready” before you come in. That’s what we’re here for.

At Central Park West Dentistry, our dentists and dental hygienists provide comprehensive exams, professional teeth cleanings, periodontal care, restorative dentistry, and other preventive and general dental services at our Upper West Side office near Columbus Circle.

New patients are welcome, and we offer evening and weekend appointments to make getting back into a dental routine a little easier.