How to Love Going to the Dentist

Plenty of people in Timonium would rather do almost anything than sit in a dental chair. But most of what makes dental visits unpleasant can actually be changed: going only when something hurts, surprises about treatment or cost, feeling rushed and not knowing what is happening in your own mouth. Change those, and a dental visit can become an easy, even enjoyable hour. Here are ten practical ways to get there, and how the Timonium office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS helps with each.

If fear is what keeps you away, start with comfortable dental care for anxious patients or relieving dental anxiety before a procedure. This article is for everyone who would simply like dental visits to feel better.

Why dental visits get a bad reputation

Most people build their feelings about the dentist from a handful of visits: a toothache that needed urgent work, a bill that came as a surprise, or an appointment that felt rushed. When the only time you go is when something is wrong, every visit is associated with bad news. The fix is to turn that pattern around.

1. Go before something hurts

A routine checkup and cleaning is the easiest dental visit there is. Problems found early usually need smaller, simpler treatment, and many visits end with nothing to fix at all. The practice recommends a professional cleaning every six months, and cleaning appointments last a full 60 minutes, so the visit is thorough and unhurried rather than a quick polish. See how often you should get a dental checkup.

2. Book a time that doesn’t fight your day

Rushing in from work or watching the clock makes any appointment more stressful. Office hours are Monday 8:30 AM–6:30 PM, Tuesday 8:30 AM–5:00 PM, Wednesday 8:30 AM–3:30 PM, Thursday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM and Friday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM, so pick the slot that lets you arrive relaxed. Filling out your new patient forms online beforehand at forms.flossem.com saves time at the front desk too.

3. Tell the team what bothers you

The team can only plan around what it knows. The practice puts it plainly: if dental visits make you anxious, tell us, and we plan around it. Useful things to mention:

• The sound or feel of the drill. Air abrasion can remove small areas of decay quickly and quietly, with no heat, pressure or vibration.
• A strong gag reflex. The iTero Element scanner creates a 3D image of your teeth in about 2½ minutes, with less tendency toward gagging.
• Sensitive teeth or gums, so the team knows to go gently.
• Needing breaks. Agree on a simple hand signal before treatment starts, so you know you can pause.

4. Enjoy the comforts on offer

The Timonium office is spa-inspired. Paraffin wax hand treatments, calming aromatherapy and a Nespresso station are part of the experience, and every treatment room is cleaned and sterilized after each patient. Laughing gas is offered as a complimentary service; just let the team know you would like it. You should feel fully alert afterward and able to drive yourself home. Take a look around on the office tour.

5. Ask to see what the dentist sees

Much of the unease at the dentist comes from not knowing what is going on. At the practice, digital X-rays appear on screen right away, and intraoral cameras zoom in on each section of your mouth, so Dr. Haywood can point out exactly what needs attention. When you can see a cracked filling or an early cavity for yourself, the recommendation makes sense.

6. Know the plan and the cost before anything starts

Every visit at the practice starts with a conversation, not a drill, and the team walks you through what needs doing, what can safely wait and what it costs before anything begins. Kelley Fisher, the Patient Care and Treatment Coordinator, handles treatment plans, insurance questions and financing. No surprises makes the next visit far easier to book. For more on how that planning works, read how Dr. Steven Haywood, DDS plans your dental care.

7. Give your visits a goal you can see

Dental visits feel different when they are moving you toward something you want, not just away from a problem.

Cosmetic dentistry in Timonium: seeing the result first

Cosmetic imaging is part of every cosmetic evaluation: digital photos of your smile are changed on the imaging computer so you can preview whitening, bonding, veneers or a smile makeover before you commit. Invisalign patients can watch their teeth move one set of aligners at a time. See cosmetic dentistry in Timonium or, for a quick refresh, small ways to perk up your smile.

8. Use sedation when the work is bigger

If you need longer treatment, you don’t have to grit your teeth through it. Oral conscious sedation is a pill taken about an hour before your appointment that brings on calm, relaxed feelings while you stay conscious; you will need a ride. Ask about the “sedation for life” program. See sedation dentistry.

9. Start children off with good experiences

Children tend to borrow their feelings about the dentist from the adults around them. Talk about visits in a calm, matter-of-fact way, bring children for checkups before there is a problem, and avoid using the dentist as a threat. A parent or legal guardian must be present during the consultation of a patient under the age of 18. Laughing gas is safe for patients of all ages, and fillings can be done with a comfortable micro-air filling process for people of all ages. Parents can find more in infant and toddler teeth Q&A.

10. Make checkups boring, in a good way

The best visits are the uneventful ones. Brush gently twice a day, clean between your teeth daily, limit slow sipping of sugary drinks and keep your appointments. The practice also offers super sealants with a lifetime warranty and non-fluoride calcium rebuilding treatments to help protect enamel. When there is nothing to fix, a dental visit is simply a clean feeling and a quick chat.

What patients say

• “Best dental experience I ever had… I have always been terrified of dental visits. Not anymore.” (Kelli, Google review)
• “Received excellent care. Always detailed the work to be done and the cost. Friendly staff. Highly recommend.” (Dan, Google review)

If it has been a long time

Coming back after years away can feel like the hardest step. Nobody at the practice expects perfection, and the first visit is about understanding where things stand. Read been a while since you’ve visited a dentist? for what to expect.

Paying for your visits

The practice is out of network with all dental 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. Financing is available through CareCredit, with no-interest options for up to 12 months, and Cherry, with payment plans from 3 to 24 months. See financing options.

Frequently asked questions

How can I make going to the dentist less stressful?

Go for routine visits before something hurts, book a time that suits you, tell the team what bothers you, and ask for laughing gas if it helps. Knowing the plan and the cost up front removes much of the worry.

Does laughing gas cost extra?

No. Laughing gas is offered as a complimentary service. Just let the team know you would like it.

Can I see the dentist after work?

On Mondays the office is open until 6:30 PM. Other weekday hours are listed above, and the office is closed on weekends.

Is the practice accepting new patients?

Yes. New patients are always welcome.

Start loving your dental visits in Timonium

A good dental experience starts with a single easy visit. 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 with a parking lot off Greenspring Dr. For more guides, visit the blog.