Booked your first dental appointment and now you’re overthinking everything? Wondering if you need to fast, brush ten times, or show up an hour early?
Most preparation advice either tells you nothing useful or makes it sound more complicated than it is. Here’s what actually makes a difference.
Pick a Time That Works for Your Nerves
The time you book makes a bigger difference than you’d think. If you get more anxious as the day goes on, book the earliest slot. You won’t spend eight hours convincing yourself something terrible will happen.
If you wake up anxious, book around 11am. Give yourself time to wake properly, have breakfast, go for a walk.
If you’re particularly nervous of dentists, ring when booking and say that. Not “I’m a bit worried” but “I’m genuinely anxious.” They’ll note it and ensure you don’t get rushed.
Get Your Medical Details Sorted
Practices need more detail than you’d think. They’ll ask about every medication – blood pressure tablets, multivitamins, herbal supplements, everything.
Write it down beforehand. Can’t remember names? Take photos of bottles. Blood thinners mean different handling. Bisphosphonates affect jaw procedures.
Same with medical conditions. Heart problems, diabetes, past surgeries, allergies. The allergy question includes latex and local anaesthetic, not just penicillin.
Don’t Turn Up on an Empty Stomach
Low blood sugar makes you shaky and anxious. Have a proper meal an hour or two before. Nothing too heavy if you get nauseous when stressed.
Skip garlic. Your dentist’s face will be 20 centimetres from yours. Avoid anything sugary that’ll coat your teeth.
Decent breakfast works – eggs and toast, porridge, sandwich. Something with protein. Go easy on coffee. One cup is fine, three amps up anxiety.
Pack What You Actually Need
Medicare card and health insurance card. Previous x-rays from past year if you have them. Medications list. Sunglasses – your eyes will be sensitive after bright lamps.
If you get anxious, bring someone. Most dentists are fine with a friend in the room.
Brush Normally (Not Five Times)
Brush before you go. Don’t brush five times trying to make up for months of mediocre hygiene. Dentists see the buildup. One aggressive session doesn’t erase it.
Brush normally, floss if you usually do. They’d rather see teeth in actual state for accurate advice.
Don’t rinse with mouthwash right before. Masks symptoms they need to see.
Wear Whatever You’d Nap In
You’ll be reclined 30-60 minutes. Wear something comfortable for a long flight. Avoid tight jeans, turtlenecks, dangly earrings.
Practices can be freezing, so layers. Skip heavy perfume.
Write Your Questions Down Now
Your brain will blank in the chair. Write down what you want to ask.
“How bad are my teeth really?” “What should I be doing differently?” “Do I honestly need to floss every day?”
If they recommend treatment, ask timeline and cost. “Does this need doing now?” “What’s the cost with insurance?”
Give Yourself Proper Time
Don’t book between meetings. First appointments take 45-60 minutes for a dental exam and clean, sometimes longer if it’s been years.
Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Don’t schedule anything important right after.
Take the afternoon off if working.
Sort Your Anxiety Before You Go
If you’re properly anxious, prepare for that specifically. Don’t just hope you’ll be fine.
- Night before, avoid coffee after lunch. Get decent sleep. Do something relaxing.
- Morning of, eat properly. Move your body. Put on calming music.
- In waiting room, breathe slowly. Four counts in, hold four, out four. Remind yourself you can leave if needed.
If you’re already dealing with serious dental fear, use those techniques before you arrive, not when you’re panicked in the chair.
Know It’s Just Information Gathering
First appointment is information gathering, not treatment. They’ll examine, take x-rays, probably clean, explain findings, give treatment plan if needed.
They’re not drilling unless you came with emergency pain. Most practices don’t have time – first appointments are examinations.
Modern practices use techniques that make appointments far less stressful than you remember. If you haven’t been in years, dentistry’s changed quite a bit since your last visit.
Find cavities? You get a written plan. Take it home, get second opinion if you want.
If You Wake Up Too Anxious
Sometimes anxiety wins. Wake up and can’t face it? Ring them. Don’t just not show up.
Say “I’m too anxious, can I reschedule for consultation first?” Many do shorter appointments – just meet them, see room, talk. No examination.
Book the next appointment right then. Don’t say “I’ll call back.”
What to Look for in a Dental Practice
Some clinics are better set up for nervous patients than others. They let you visit beforehand just to look around. They’ll answer questions over the phone before you even book. They don’t make you feel rushed or judged about the gap since your last visit.
Things like comfortable waiting rooms, friendly staff who remember your name, and dentists who actually explain what they’re doing – that’s what makes a clinic patient-friendly and worth the effort of preparing for.
If the practice is flexible and understanding, the whole preparation process feels less daunting.
Getting Ready for Your Visit
We see first-time patients every day at Najmi Dental, including plenty who haven’t been in 5, 10, even 15 years. The booking part is usually the hardest. Once that’s done, preparing is mostly about getting organised and managing your own nerves.
If you’ve got questions about what to expect, ring us a few days beforehand. We’ll walk you through it. If you’re anxious, tell us when you book – we’ll match you with someone experienced with nervous patients and we’ll schedule enough time so you’re not rushed.
