Get On Top of Your Dental To-Do List

Dental tasks are some of the easiest items to push to the bottom of a to-do list. Nothing hurts, the week is busy, and the tooth that feels “a little off” can wait another month. The trouble is that dental problems rarely wait with you. The quickest way to get on top of your dental to-do list is to write every task down, sort them by urgency, and handle as many as you can with a single phone call and a single visit.

This guide from the Timonium office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS lists the dental tasks people most often put off, how to decide what comes first, and how to clear the list with as little hassle as possible.

Why dental tasks slide to the bottom of the list

Most dental jobs don’t come with a deadline. There is no bill due or warning light on the dashboard, so they lose out to tasks that feel more pressing. A few other reasons come up again and again:

• No pain, no urgency. Early decay and early gum disease usually don’t hurt, so it’s easy to believe nothing needs attention.
• Worry about what the dentist will find. The longer a visit is postponed, the more daunting it can feel.
• Uncertainty about cost. Not knowing what treatment will cost makes it tempting to avoid finding out.
• Nerves. For some people, a dental visit is genuinely stressful.

Each of these has a practical answer, and most of them are covered below.

Your dental to-do list: 10 tasks you keep putting off

1. Book the overdue cleaning and check-up

A professional cleaning every six months is recommended. Cleaning appointments at the practice last a full 60 minutes, and the check-up includes digital X-rays, intraoral cameras and an oral cancer screening. If it has been longer than you would like to admit, read been a while since you’ve visited a dentist?

2. Call about the tooth that’s “a little sensitive”

A twinge with cold drinks or a sore spot when you bite can come from many causes, from gum recession to a crack or a cavity. It is much easier to sort out while it is still a twinge. Read sensitive teeth: causes and treatment.

3. Get the chipped tooth or lost filling looked at

A rough edge, a chip or a missing filling leaves the tooth more exposed to decay and further breakage, even if it doesn’t hurt. Read filling or crown fell out? what to do next.

4. Mention the gums that bleed when you brush

Bleeding or receding gums, bad breath and deep pockets in the gums can be signs of infection. Gum infection caught early can be managed and controlled with non-surgical care. Read danger zone: 5 warning signs of gum disease.

5. Ask about the grinding your partner hears at night

Grinding slowly wears down and cracks enamel, often without you noticing, and jaw tenderness or frequent headaches can point to a TMJ disorder. The practice makes comfortable, clear bite guards custom-made for you to help protect your teeth.

6. Replace your toothbrush

This one takes a minute. Frayed bristles don’t clean well, so swap your brush or brush head when it looks worn. Read how often should I replace my toothbrush?

7. Fill out your patient forms ahead of time

New patients can complete four short online forms before the first visit: new patient information, a dental patient medical history, a biological dental wellness checklist, and a privacy statement and signature. Doing them at home means less time in the waiting room. See new patient information.

8. Update your health history and medication list

Write down every medication you take, including aspirin, blood thinners, heart medications and anything over the counter, along with any conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, artificial joints or heart valves. These details matter, especially before any surgical treatment, and some medications also affect your mouth.

9. Sort out how you’ll pay

The practice is out of network with insurance companies. You pay at the time of your visit, and the office files the claim on your behalf so your plan can reimburse you. Health savings and flex plans are welcome, so if you have funds set aside, check your plan’s rules and deadlines. You can also apply for CareCredit or Cherry online before your visit and arrive knowing your options.

10. Finally ask about the smile change you’ve been thinking about

If a stained, chipped or crooked tooth has been bothering you for years, add it to the list. With cosmetic imaging, you can preview a new smile before any treatment begins. See cosmetic imaging.

How to sort your list: today, this month, this season

Not every dental task carries the same urgency. Sorting them helps you act on the right ones first.

Call today

• Swelling in your face or gums
• A toothache that keeps you up at night or won’t settle
• A knocked-out or badly broken tooth
• Bleeding, severe pain or swelling after a procedure that won’t settle

Call (410) 453-9399 as early in the day as you can. Dr. Haywood is available for true dental emergencies for existing patients and their friends and families, and new patients with emergency needs are seen on weekdays as time allows. See emergency dental care.

Book this month

• Sensitivity that keeps coming back
• A chipped tooth or missing filling without pain
• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
• An overdue cleaning and check-up

Plan this season

• A bite guard for grinding
• Replacing old or worn fillings
• Cosmetic changes such as whitening or veneers

Clear several items in one visit

You don’t have to tackle every task on a separate day. Tell the team everything on your list when you call. A cleaning, an exam, questions about sensitivity and a bite guard conversation can often be covered in the same appointment, and in some instances treatment can be completed at a first visit. If you have a special event coming up, let the staff know so they can plan around it. Read multi-procedure dental visits: all at once or in stages?

Office hours can help you plan: Monday 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM, Tuesday 8:30 AM to 5 PM, Wednesday 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Thursday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and Friday 8:30 AM to 4 PM. If something changes after you book, the practice asks for at least 72 business hours’ notice to reschedule.

If nerves are what keep it on the list

If dental anxiety is the real reason these tasks stay unchecked, say so when you call. Understanding your fears helps the team plan how to overcome them. The office is spa-like, with paraffin wax hand treatments and aromatherapy, laughing gas is offered as a complimentary service, and oral sedation is available. See sedation dentistry.

Keep the list short from now on

Once your list is cleared, a few habits stop it from growing back:

• Book your next cleaning before you leave the office.
• Put a recurring reminder in your phone to check your toothbrush.
• Call about new sensitivity, bleeding or chips when you notice them, not months later.
• Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily. Read 5 ways to floss daily, even on busy days.

Paying for your visit

The practice is out of network with all dental insurance providers. You pay at the time of your visit, and the office files the claim on your behalf so your plan can reimburse you for whatever it covers. Health savings and flex plans are welcome, and financing is available through CareCredit, with no-interest options for up to 12 months, and Cherry, with plans from 3 to 24 months. See financing options.

Frequently asked questions

What should be on my dental to-do list?

Start with an overdue cleaning and check-up, then add anything you’ve noticed: sensitivity, bleeding gums, chips, lost fillings, grinding or jaw pain. Add small tasks such as replacing your toothbrush, updating your medication list and completing patient forms.

Can I get more than one thing done at the same appointment?

Often, yes. Let the team know everything you’d like to address when you book, and they can plan the time. Larger treatment may be scheduled separately after your exam.

Is a chipped tooth that doesn’t hurt urgent?

Usually it isn’t an emergency, but it is worth booking soon. A chip can leave the tooth weaker and easier to decay. If it hurts, is sharp enough to cut your tongue, or the break is large, call as early in the day as you can.

Are you accepting new patients?

Yes. New patients are always welcome, and you can complete your forms online before your first visit.

Check dental care off your list in Timonium

One call can clear most of your dental to-do list. Request an appointment or call (410) 453-9399. The office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS is at 108 W Timonium Rd, Ste 200, Timonium, MD 21093, in Timonium Green, serving Timonium, Lutherville, Cockeysville, Towson and Hunt Valley. See general dentistry in Timonium.