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Read This Before Your Next Trip to the Dentist

Here’s how to evaluate your dentist’s advice—and ways to pay less for pricey dental procedures

When you’re in the dentist’s chair, being told that you need a filling, a crown, a root canal, or some other procedure, should you trust that advice? Or is there another option?

Many factors—apart from what’s best for you—may play a role in how some dentists decide what to recommend. Plus, the scientific evidence supporting some dental procedures is often lacking. When it comes to the best way to handle a problem with a tooth, there’s a whole lot of gray area.

Plenty of teeth do need dental work, and no repair lasts forever, so a tooth with a filling could require ongoing attention. A small filling may be replaced by a larger filling, the tooth might eventually need a crown and a root canal, and you could finally need to have the tooth taken out, says Alexander Holden, PhD, clinical associate professor of dentistry at the University of Sydney. But when should all these steps occur? Or are they even necessary?

In many cases, there are no hard-and-fast rules. “Even among skilled, ethical dentists, there can be discrepancies in treatment plans,” says Olivia Sheridan, DMD, a professor of clinical restorative dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Recommendations about many medical treatments come from respected groups that pore over all the evidence. But fewer such guidelines exist for most dental treatments.

In the absence of such data, a dentist can weigh considerations such as a person’s age, the shape of their bite, and more. But other influences might sometimes play a role, too.

For example, private-equity-owned dental service organizations may encourage some dentists to sell people unnecessary treatments to maximize profits. And in a 2020 Canadian study , researchers found that dentists who reported more debt were more likely to recommend more aggressive (and probably more expensive) treatments. Such research shows why people should ask about the benefits, risks, and alternatives of any proposed treatment, says study author Abdulrahman Ghoneim, a dentist and PhD student at the University of Toronto. Yet only 27 percent of Americans have ever gotten a second opinion on a recommended dental treatment or procedure, according to a nationally representative survey of 2,116 adults conducted by CR in March. Here, we take a look at five common procedures to help you figure out if and when you really need them.

Note: Prices are from the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute’s 2020 Survey of Dental Fees. They represent the average total amount dentists reported they expect to be paid for procedures (insurance may not reimburse the full amount). The actual cost to consumers will vary.

CR's Guide to Treatments

Filling Replacement What it is: Fillings, the standard treatment for cavities, eventually wear out. They can be made with materials such as metal or tooth-colored resin, which can crack, or they can decay around the edges. For a replacement filling, the old filling (plus any new decay) is removed, and a new one is placed.

When it’s needed: The experts we spoke with had a wide range of opinions on when fillings should be replaced vs. simply repaired. Gerald Simmons, BDS, a general dentist in Palmdale, Calif., says he almost always advises replacing the whole filling because the cost to the consumer is the same, and he can ensure that there’s no decay underneath the filling that could be missed if it is only repaired. Still, a repair also has potential advantages—it may help preserve more of the tooth’s original structure and can be less traumatic for patients. Nathaniel Lawson, PhD, director of the division of biomaterials at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, says he prefers repairing—if they’re fillings he originally performed. The scientific literature is of little help: In 2014, the Cochrane Collaboration, an independent group that reviews evidence about tests and treatments, found that there was insufficient support to determine whether repair or replacement was preferable . Ultimately, you’ll need to have a conversation with your dentist about the risks and benefits of each option.

When to question it: Replacing or repairing fillings can be important when they’re damaged or there’s new decay. But you should push back if a dentist recommends replacing your fillings just because they’re old. Age alone shouldn’t indicate a need for new fillings, according to the American Dental Association’s Choosing Wisely recommendations , which aim to reduce unnecessary care.

What the alternatives are: A filling repair involves removing and replacing only the defective part of the filling, rather than the whole filling.

Cost of a filling: $104 to $472, depending on material used and the number of sides of the tooth it covers.

What it is: A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that replaces part of your natural tooth above your gumline. To place one, a dentist removes some of the tooth’s outer material and cements the crown on top of your remaining tooth. “We use a crown to restore a tooth to its original shape and size,” says Edmond R. Hewlett, DDS, consumer adviser for the American Dental Association and a professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry in Los Angeles.

When it’s needed: A crown is meant to reinforce a tooth whose structure has been weakened by other dental work or decay. If you’ve had a root canal on a molar, for example, you need a crown on the tooth, too, because you need strong molars for chewing. (A crown may be optional for nonmolars with root canals.)

When to question it: The decision can be subjective. For some people, preserving their natural tooth structure is most important; others, such as those who have a forceful bite or who grind their teeth, may benefit more from the added strength of a crown. Crowns are expensive, so it’s always reasonable to ask for options.

What the alternatives are: A larger filling may work instead of a crown in some cases, according to Simmons, who says he tries to use this approach when he can because the natural tooth surface will be less prone to collecting plaque than the crown (particularly at its edge). On the other hand, crowns tend to have a longer life than fillings. Dentists also have the option of using a partial crown, known as an onlay, which caps only part of the tooth. This preserves more of the tooth’s natural structure, but it is somewhat more complicated to perform because it must be bonded to the tooth. Your dentist might not routinely do them, and insurance might not cover it. Still, Lawson calls onlays “a great conservative option.”

Cost of a crown: $400 to $1,698, depending on the materials and how much of the tooth is covered.

What it is: Deep cavities, extensive or repeated dental procedures, or trauma to the tooth can leave a tooth’s soft insides, or pulp, inflamed and eventually infected. During a root canal, a provider drills into the root of your tooth to remove infected, necrotic (dead) pulp in the center of your tooth. The inside of the canal is cleaned, disinfected, filled, and sealed.

When it’s needed: The pulp contains a tooth’s nerves, and once that tissue has begun to decay, there’s no option but to take it out, Simmons says. Otherwise, the infection can spread to other parts of the body. Although it’s rare now, before the advent of antibiotics untreated infected tooth pulp could sometimes be fatal.

When to question it: It’s important that your dentist perform adequate testing to determine that your tooth’s pulp is necrotic and not salvageable, because some people who need root canals don’t experience pain as a symptom. Testing may include X-ray imaging, and your dentist should do a sensitivity test, such as placing something cold against the suspect tooth and assessing your reaction. If you can’t feel the cold at all, the tooth is probably dead and needs a root canal, Lawson says. Significant or extreme pain is also a concerning sign. A few seconds of pain, however, may mean that the tooth’s pulp is inflamed but not irreversibly so. (If the tooth is crowned, a temperature-based test might be less effective.) The dentist should also place the cold object against one of your other teeth for comparison.

What the alternatives are: For a tooth that definitely needs a root canal, the only alternative is to extract the tooth (and potentially place an implant). But for a tooth that has reversible inflammation (known as reversible pulpitis), a filling plus a pulp cap—a much less expensive procedure in which pulp exposed by drilling is covered with protective material—can suffice, Lawson says. But keep in mind that this option isn’t always successful. If consumers go with that choice, he says, “they have to assume the risk that they might continue to hurt because it didn’t work, and they might be paying for two treatments.”

Cost of root canal treatment: $620 to $1,472, depending on whether it’s a molar, premolar, or front tooth. A crown, if needed, will add to the cost.

What it is: When an infected, cracked, or decayed tooth can’t be fixed with a filling, crown, or root canal, sometimes it has to be pulled. An implant, a medical device surgically implanted into your jaw to support a crown, is one common treatment for replacing the tooth with a prosthetic. The procedure generally involves a surgery of several hours to place the implant in your jaw, and then months waiting for the surgery site to heal before the artificial tooth is placed on top of the implant.

When it’s needed: Some types of severe fractures can’t be repaired with a root canal or crown, so extraction is the only solution. And sometimes the tooth has too much decay or damage to save it. According to Lawson at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, “if the decay goes below the level of the bone, then we can’t get rid of it all and have enough tooth structure to hold a crown on with.” That’s when it’s better to remove the tooth.

When to question it: Whether a tooth can be restored or needs to be fully removed can be highly subjective, but usually extraction should be the last resort—after fillings, a crown, and possibly a root canal. “If you start skipping paths on that journey, you’ll reach the part where you lose the tooth sooner,” says the University of Sydney’s Holden. So if a dentist is recommending extraction and has skipped one or more of those steps, it’s reasonable to ask whether there are ways to extend the life of the tooth instead.

One type of extraction you may want to think twice about if you’re not in pain: removal of wisdom teeth (shown below). Millions of people have their third molars, or wisdom teeth, removed every year, even in the absence of pain or infection. But a 2020 analysis by the Cochrane Collaboration concluded that the available evidence was insufficient to be able to say whether asymptomatic, disease-free wisdom teeth should be routinely removed.

What the alternatives are: Fillings, crowns, and root canals are all procedures that can help preserve your natural tooth. There’s also a procedure called crown lengthening that can be used to expose more of your tooth’s surface, which can make a crown a possibility. The challenge, however, is figuring out whether multiple procedures—a root canal, plus crown lengthening, plus a crown—are really worth all the time, effort, and cost. If you have “a weak tooth that requires a lot of procedures just to keep it there . . . taking it out and replacing with an implant is very commonly preferable,” says UCLA’s Hewlett. Still, Sheridan says, implants require scrupulous oral hygiene to maintain and might not be the right choice for people with certain types of bites. Bridges and dentures are also alternatives to implants, as is simply not replacing the tooth.

Cost of an implant: $3,080 to $5,825, including the placing of the implant, crown, and metal connector.

Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

Custom Night Guard

What it is: A night guard can protect your teeth while you sleep if you have bruxism—unconscious grinding and clenching of your teeth. Night guards made by dentists are fit to your bite by taking an impression of your teeth.

When it’s needed: Teeth grinding can lead to chipped or cracked teeth, pain, and other problems, and night guards can provide protection. Simmons, the general dentist in Palmdale, Calif., says he also sometimes recommends one for patients who have porcelain crowns because a night guard can help protect repaired teeth from breakage.

When to question it: Generally, if you don’t grind and clench your teeth, you don’t need a night guard. But diagnosing bruxism can be tricky without a sleep study, says Geoffrey Gerstner, PhD, associate professor of dentistry at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and sleep studies can be expensive and inconvenient. Two typical signs are visible wear on the teeth and reports from your sleeping partner that you’re grinding.

What the alternatives are: Over-the-counter night guards are available. Some require you to perform a fit procedure at home, and some are one-size-fits-all. These are generally fine for a week or so if you need immediate relief, but they should not be used long-term, Sheridan says. A guard that doesn’t fit could cause your teeth to become misaligned, Gerstner says. The self-customizable OTC options don’t appear to solve this problem. In Gerstner’s 2020 study of such night guards , only four out of 31 participants were able to craft their guards with acceptable quality—and most of them were dental students.

Cost for a bite/night guard: $324 to $788.

Paying for Dental Care

Dental costs can be high—even if you have insurance. “Dental insurance, even at its best, is a fee-reduction service,” says the University of Pennsylvania’s Olivia Sheridan. “You have copays, and you have a yearly maximum that is embarrassingly small.” Delta Dental insurance, for example, says its yearly maximums are between $1,000 and $2,000. But there are ways to save.

• Find coverage. Sign up for an employer-subsidized dental plan if you have the chance. Some state Medicaid programs cover dental care for adults. Medicare doesn’t cover dental care, but some Medicare Advantage plans do.

• Consider a dental savings plan. These are similar to buying club memberships: You pay an annual fee and gain access to a large network of dentists who offer discounts. Fees range from about $80 to $200 per year, for discounts of 10 to 60 percent off various procedures. Search for one in your area at DentalPlans.com.

• Get care at a dental school. Services performed by dentists or hygienists in training will often take longer because the students will be supervised by faculty members. But schools offer care at lower costs. Pueblo Community College’s Dental Hygiene Clinic in Colorado, for example, charges $30 for an exam and cleaning. Find an accredited school through the Commission on Dental Accreditation .

• Try a community health center. Some of these are federally funded and may provide free or low-cost care. Look for one in your area through the Department of Health & Human Services .

• Plan your treatment wisely. If you need a lot of work, talk with your dentist about scheduling it to make optimal use of your dental insurance, Sheridan says. Two expensive procedures can sometimes be scheduled in different calendar years, for example.

Dental Specialists 101

A general practice dentist is a good place to start for many tooth-related problems. If you have a problem that your regular dentist can’t address, they’re likely to refer you to a specialist. These professionals have the same basic training as general dentists, plus additional years of education in their specialty field.

• Endodontists focus on problems inside your teeth and are especially skilled at performing root canals. (The American Association of Endodontists says an endodontist may do as many as 25 root canals per week.)

• Periodontists diagnose and treat periodontal (gum) disease, which affects the gum and the bone tissue surrounding teeth.

• Oral and maxillofacial surgeons specialize in surgical treatment of injuries or other problems of the head, neck, and jaw. Extraction of wisdom teeth and placing of implants are two common procedures for oral surgeons.

• Prosthodontists specialize in dental prosthetics, including implants, dentures, and bridges.

• Orthodontists use braces, retainers, and other techniques to treat misaligned teeth and jaws, and problems with your bite.

How to Say No to Your Dentist

Given all the room for interpretation between necessary and unnecessary care, saying no, or at least “not right now,” can be useful. Here’s how.

Ask Good Questions “The doctor is obliged to explain the risks, the benefits of the procedure being discussed, as well as any alternative, and make sure that all of your questions are answered,” says UCLA’s Edmond Hewlett. Along with asking about risks, benefits, and alternatives, Sheridan recommends asking what will happen if you do nothing. You should also ask about the expected life span of the work, says the University of Sydney’s Alexander Holden.

Watch for Red Flags When you ask why your dentist has recommended a procedure, they should explain their medical reasoning. Proceed with caution if they won’t do so, or if a treatment plan seems out of the ordinary—if, for example, you’ve rarely needed anything and then suddenly need work costing $10,000, says general dentist Gerald Simmons.

Get a Second Opinion A trustworthy dentist shouldn’t be offended by this. “If somebody wants a second opinion, that would not hurt my feelings,” says the University of Alabama’s Nathaniel Lawson. In CR’s nationally representative survey, we found that about 4 in 10 people who got a second opinion about a dental procedure ended up not having the procedure, postponing it, or having a different procedure. To find a dentist for a second opinion, ask friends and family members, or search for a specialist using the ADA’s tool . Ask for copies of your X-rays to give to the second dentist, Lawson says. If your dentist refuses to or is reluctant to provide your records, that’s another red flag. When you ask for a second opinion, Lawson recommends, you should refrain from explaining what the first opinion was, so the new dentist can look at your mouth and X-rays without any preconceived notions.

Make Your Decision Be sure to ask both the first and second dentists you consult why they’re recommending a particular treatment. If the two opinions diverge, you can decide which path to take based on which provider best aligns with your preferences, Holden says—be it a more aggressive proactive approach to try to prevent future problems, or a more conservative approach of doing only what’s necessary at the moment.

Editor’s Note:  A version of this article also appeared in the September 2022 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Clarification: This article, originally published on Aug. 4, 2022, has been updated to clarify that the pricing estimates provided by dentists may not reflect what consumers pay.

Catherine Roberts

Catherine Roberts is a health and science journalist at Consumer Reports. She has been at CR since 2016, covering infectious diseases, bugs and bug sprays, consumer medical devices like hearing aids and blood pressure monitors, health privacy, and more. As a civilian, her passions include bike rides, horror films and fiction, and research rabbit holes. Follow her on Twitter @catharob .

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How to Find a Good Dentist

Look for a doctor you can trust to put your interests first.

This article is based on reporting that features expert sources.

Karen Vasso, a 47-year old farmer from Chelmsford, Massachusetts, takes good care of her health. In addition to the copious amounts of physical exercise she gets while working, she's an avid swimmer and triathlete. She also has a background in nutrition and knows that good dental health is an important aspect of overall wellness.

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She's long sought to make visiting a dentist regularly a priority. However, a couple of bad experiences over the years have caused her to think carefully about what makes a good dentist and how to find the right one for her.

The first incident occurred several years ago. At the time, Vasso was a single mother and her health insurance wasn't terribly robust, so her options of which dentist she could see were limited. "I went to this quiet, dark office in the basement of a building" in a nearby town. The office was mostly empty, save for the dentist himself, and Vasso recalls thinking, "this is scary."

Undeterred by her gut intuition, she went through with the appointment. "He cleaned my teeth and at the end he said, 'you have a cavity. I'm going to need you to come back for a filling.' I know my teeth. I have extensive knowledge about nutrition and how that affects dental health ," and she says she suspected she didn't actually have a cavity.

She asked the dentist to show her on the X-ray where the cavity was. "He kind of backed out of it. He had nothing, so I left and never went back. Because he was the only dentist my insurance covered, I didn't go to the dentist for several years," she says.

Fast forward a few years to a new town and new dental health insurance , and Vasso decided it was time to do something about the lack of routine dental care she'd had for the past few years and scheduled an appointment with a local dentist.

She opted for "a very big chain dental practice" that was in her insurance plan and made an appointment. "They did a cleaning and a cursory exam and told me I had six cavities. It blew my mind – there's no way I have six cavities," she says, feeling outraged.

Before she was even able to get clarification on where and how severe these cavities were, she'd been herded to the front desk to settle her bill and make several more appointments for additional dental work.

Vasso decided she didn't trust that dentist and made an appointment elsewhere for a second opinion . As suspected, that subsequent dentist confirmed she had no cavities at all, let alone six of them. "Can you imagine them drilling into my teeth for no reason? It blows my mind," she says.

Trust Is the Bedrock of the Dentist-Patient Relationship

While Vasso's experience may be extreme, it illustrates how important it is to find a dentist you can trust. "The dentist has an obligation to be truthful," says Dr. Ada Cooper, a dentist in private practice in New York City and a spokesperson for the American Dental Association.

"The best doctor-patient relationships are based on truth and trust, and trust in treatment planning is absolutely critical. Once you and your dentist have that trust, you can go forth and be partners in a way that will help you gain so much in terms of your dental health," she says. She refers to this as "finding your dental home," a place where you can be assured that the provider has your best interests at heart and offers the right care that you actually need.

But it can be hard to know whether what your dentist is telling you is accurate. Cooper says that, as Vasso did, you should consider whether what you're hearing makes sense.

"If it doesn't seem or sound right – if the recommended treatment doesn't make sense or the dentist doesn't seem willing to answer questions or is unable to provide clear enough answers or you don't feel comfortable asking, then it's time to look for another dentist."

What to Look for in a Dentist

When looking for a dentist, there are several factors to consider including:

• Location and hours.
• Competence and compassion.
• Communication styles or issues.
• Professional affiliations and accolades.
• Preventive care emphasis.

Location and hours

You should seek one that practices close to your home or work and that has convenient hours. If you aren’t available when the doctor is, you’re unlikely to be able to make the relationship work. Telehealth options have become more widely available since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, but you'll still have to visit the doctor in person for cleanings and checkups from time to time.

Competence and compassion

“Competence, communication and compassion are all key features of a good dentist,” says Dr. John Luther, chief dental officer for Western Dental, a large Orange, California–based dental management organization serving 220 locations.

“Dentists should facilitate an open dialogue with their patients to fully address their needs and concerns,” Luther adds. And that includes understanding “your full medical history, since oral health is an important component of whole-body health care.”

Communication styles or issues

Your dentist also needs to be able to communicate so that you can understand what’s happening. For example, "if English isn't your first language, do you need a translator ? In my practice, I have a lot of patients who are Japanese," Cooper says, and although these patients "speak English perfectly well out in the world," when it comes to the specific or technical vocabulary of health care, having a translator to convey this information in a patient's native language can facilitate better understanding.

Professional affiliations and accolades

As a spokesperson for the ADA, Cooper also encourages people to look for dentists who are members of the American Dental Association. The ADA represents more than 162,000 member dentists across the United States and Puerto Rico.

"The ADA requires that their members make certain promises," Cooper says. "Those are promises that are critical for patients but they're also critical in helping to determine whether a dentist is a good dentist."

These promises include:

• Preserving patients' rights to be involved in making decisions about their treatment.
• Doing no harm.
• Staying current with dental science and developments in treatment options through continuing education, professional groups and research studies.
• Offering appropriate technology and medical innovations.
• Providing patients the highest quality care.
• Being fair and not discriminating against individuals from any walk of life.
• Being as truthful and honest as possible with every patient.

Preventive care emphasis

“A good dentist will also prioritize and underscore the important of preventive care,” Luther says, such as regular checkups and fluoride treatments. And “when oral health issues do arise, they’ll ensure that their patients know the full scope of their treatment options.”

He adds that preventive care is a key component of how dentists support overall health and wellness. “Dental caries, also known as cavities, are by far the most common condition seen by dentists, along with gum disease, which occurs in around 40% of adults. Oral cancer is not as frequently seen but is often life-threatening and needs immediate intervention. The good news is that all these conditions are preventable with regular dental care both at home and at the dentist’s office.”

What to Know Before Your First Visit

Luther recommends arriving at your first visit with a new dentist with a list of any over-the-counter or prescription medications you’re taking, “even if they aren’t directly related to oral health” and your medical history.

You should also expect to spend a little longer at the office than you will during follow up appointments. “A good dentist will take the time to collect all dental and historic health information in order to provide the best care and may even perform a dental cleaning at the initial appointment,” Luther says.

Why Dental Health Matters

Being sure you're getting adequate dental care regularly is important for longevity and overall wellness. Although dental health can sometimes be overlooked (many health insurance plans don't even include dental coverage). Oral health is a key component of overall health .

Problems that originate in your mouth can have lasting repercussions for the rest of your body. Poor oral health has been connected with several conditions and diseases, including:

• Endocarditis, which is an infection of the inner lining of the heart. 
• Cardiovascular disease .
• In pregnant people, premature birth and low birth weight of the baby.

It's a two-way street between oral and overall health, and certain diseases, can all negatively impact your oral health. These include:

• Alzheimer's and other dementias .
• Eating disorders .
• Certain autoimmune diseases such as  rheumatoid arthritis .
• Osteoporosis .

A good dentist can spot signs of cancer and other diseases before other doctors might and can help keep small problems from becoming big ones. That's why regular checkups are so important. "The most frustrating part (of being a dentist) is seeing patients who had very manageable dental problems but who let them grow into bigger problems. By the time they have treatment, the problem involves much more expense and time to treat, or it's gotten to the point where the tooth is not restorable ," Cooper says.

The common misconception that "if it doesn't hurt, then you can wait to address it," isn't the best way to approach dental health. "If you wait until it hurts, invariably the treatment is going to be more extensive and expensive," she says.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene Every Day

In all cases, maintaining good oral hygiene is an important way for you to reduce the chances of developing oral health problems. This means:

• Brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste .
• Flossing daily.
• Eating a  healthy diet .
• Replacing your toothbrush every three to four months.
• Avoiding smoking and tobacco use.
• Scheduling regular checkups and cleanings with your dentist.

Because "dental health is such an important part of your overall health. It's important to find a dental home," whether you're dealing with a serious condition or just need routine cleanings and X-rays, Cooper says. Finding the right dentist for you might not be the easiest thing to do, especially within the constraints of insurance, but advocating for yourself and looking for a dentist you can trust is a process that will pay health dividends down the road.

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The U.S. News Health team delivers accurate information about health, nutrition and fitness, as well as in-depth medical condition guides. All of our stories rely on multiple, independent sources and experts in the field, such as medical doctors and licensed nutritionists. To learn more about how we keep our content accurate and trustworthy, read our  editorial guidelines .

Cooper is a dentist in private practice in New York City and a spokesperson for the American Dental Association.

Luther is chief dental officer for Western Dental, a large Orange, California–based dental management organization serving 220 locations.

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How to Calm Your Nerves at the Dentist

Last Updated: April 21, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Alina Lane, DDS and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising . Dr. Alina Lane is a Dentist who runs All Smiles Dentistry, a general practice dental office based in New York City. After completing a DDS at the University of Maryland, Dr. Lane completed a year-long clerkship in Implantology at the University of Maryland, where she focused on the advanced restoration of dental implants. She continued her advanced education by completing a General Practice Residency at Woodhull Medical Center, an affiliate of the NYU School of Medicine. She received the Woodhull Medical Center Resident of the Year 2012-2013. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 33,573 times.

We know that visiting the dentist can be a little nerve-wracking, even if you’re just going in for a regular check-up. Your dentist will do everything they can to help you relax, but it’s completely normal to still feel a little anxious about it. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to help control your anxiety whenever you're at your dentist’s office. We’ll go over tips about arriving at your appointment and move on to some suggestions on how to relieve your nervousness during your procedure.

Schedule morning appointments.

• If you normally have to work in the morning, see if your dentist’s office schedules appointments on weekends.

Get to your appointment right on time.

• Make sure you give yourself enough time to get to your appointment without being late since that might make you more stressed out.

Bring a friend or family member.

• If your loved one can’t come with you, ask your dentist if you’re able to call them during your appointment so you can still hear their voice.

Let your dentist know you’re anxious.

• If you haven’t seen your dentist before, stop by their office before your scheduled appointment to meet them and talk about what you’re afraid of. By the time your appointment arrives, they’ll be able to adapt to your specific needs.
• The dental staff will usually do everything they can to make you feel relaxed during your visit. If your dentist isn’t accommodating to your needs, then it may be time to find a new one. Look for someone who specializes or works with patients that have anxiety since they’ll be able to work around the things that make you nervous.

Ask the dentist to explain what they’re doing.

• Ask questions about how painful your procedure will be. Typically, routine cleanings are relatively painless so you shouldn’t worry about them as much.
• During the procedure, ask them to say what they’re doing out loud so you can mentally prepare for it in the moment.

See if light sedation is an option.

• You’ll usually need someone else to take you to your appointment since sedation affects your ability to drive.
• If you have serious anxiety or are undergoing a larger procedure, you may be given a full anesthetic and be put to sleep while your dentist works. You won’t feel pain during the procedure if you’re fully put under. [8] X Trustworthy Source American Dental Association World's largest dental professional organization and advocate for proper oral health Go to source

Agree on hand signals for when you’re stressed.

Try deep breathing exercises.

• You can also try following a short guided meditation to slow your breathing and ease your mind.
• Pair your breathing exercises with progressive muscle relaxation to get rid of physical tension.

Imagine you’re in a relaxing place.

Listen to some soothing music.

• If you forgot your headphones, ask your dentist if they have any at the office you can use.
• Be careful not to bob your head or sing along to your music since it might disturb the work your dentist is doing.
• Come up with a signal your dentist can use to get your attention while they’re working. For example, you can ask them to tap on your shoulder when you need to stop your music and listen to their instructions.

Watch your favorite TV show.

• If they don’t have a TV, ask your dentist if you can watch something on your phone or a tablet.

Squeeze on a stress-relief ball.

• You can bring your own stress ball, but your dentist may have one at their office if you ask them.

Get anti-anxiety medication for future procedures.

• The size of your dose depends on the length of your appointment. For a 1–2 hour appointment, you’ll usually get 0.125–0.5 mg of medication. For one that’s 2–4 hours long, you may get 1–4 mg instead.
• You will need someone to take and pick you up from your appointment since you cannot safely drive after medication.

Expert Q&A

Reader Videos

Share a quick video tip and help bring articles to life with your friendly advice. Your insights could make a real difference and help millions of people!

• You’ll be more sensitive to pain if you’re anxious about your visit, so do everything you can to relax so your appointment goes smoothly and pain-free. [19] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Look for a dentist that works with a lot of anxious patients since they’ll be able to help calm your nerves even better. [20] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Make sure you visit your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. That way, you get used to all of the tools and procedures so you’re less likely to feel anxious. [21] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/fear-of-the-dentist-help/
• ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/dental-fear-our-readers-suggest-coping-techniques-20100825327
• ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/drills-needles-and-pain-oh-my-coping-with-dental-anxiety-2019121818475
• ↑ https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/anxiety/
• ↑ Alina Lane, DDS. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.
• ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4790493/
• ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/dental-anxiety-and-phobia
• ↑ https://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Education%20and%20Careers/Files/ADA_Sedation_Teaching_Guidelines.pdf?la=en
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolution-the-self/201802/how-overcome-dental-anxiety
• ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1993866/

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How to Prepare for Your First Visit to the Dentist: A Comprehensive Guide

• May 18, 2023

Going to the dentist for the first time can be a scary and nerve-wracking experience for anyone. You may be wondering what to expect, what to do, and what to bring with you. However, with a little bit of preparation and knowledge, you can make your first visit to the dentist as stress-free and comfortable as possible.

So, how can you prepare for your first visit to the dentist? First, make sure to schedule your appointment well in advance, and let the receptionist know that you are a new patient. Next, gather any medical history or insurance information you may need to bring with you. Lastly, ask any questions you may have beforehand to ease any anxieties and prepare yourself for the visit.

Preparing for Your First Dental Visit: Why it’s Important

Going to the dentist may not be something you look forward to, but it is an essential aspect of maintaining good oral health. Dental check-ups allow for early detection and treatment of any problems and prevent them from becoming more significant issues down the road.

It is recommended that you visit the dentist once every six months for a regular check-up, and if you are experiencing any problems such as pain, swelling, or bleeding, you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Neglecting your oral health can lead to serious issues such as gum disease, tooth decay, or even tooth loss, so it is vital to take proper care of your teeth.

Finding the Right Dentist for You

Choosing the right dentist can make all the difference in your dental experience. With so many dentists out there, it can be challenging to find the one that best suits your needs. One key factor to consider is the dentist’s experience and qualifications. Look for a dentist who has several years of experience and is updated with the latest dental techniques and technology.

Another crucial factor to consider is the location of the dentist’s office. Choose a dentist who is located conveniently close to your home or workplace, so it will be easy for you to schedule appointments and keep up with your regular check-ups.

Finally, consider the services the dentist provides. Do they offer the specific treatments you may need, such as braces or oral surgery? Having a dentist who can perform all the necessary procedures in one place can save you time and hassle in the long run.

What to Expect During Your Dental Visit

Knowing what to expect during your dental visit can help relieve any anxiety or nervousness you may be feeling about your first appointment. Here is a brief overview of what will happen:

• You will first be greeted by the receptionist, who will ask you to fill out some paperwork, including medical history and insurance information.
• Next, a dental assistant will call you back to the exam room where they will take x-rays and perform a cleaning.
• The dentist will then perform an exam, checking for cavities, gum disease, and any other dental issues.
• If a problem is found, the dentist will discuss treatment options with you and schedule a follow-up appointment.
• Finally, you will be given instructions on how to maintain good oral health and schedule your next regular check-up.

Preparing for Your Dental Appointment

Now that you know what to expect during your visit, it’s important to prepare yourself beforehand to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience. Here are some tips:

What to Bring:

Make sure to bring your insurance card, ID, and a list of any medications you are currently taking. If you have any previous dental records, you may want to bring those as well.

What to Wear:

Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy movement, and avoid wearing jewelry or other accessories that may interfere with the exam. It’s also a good idea to wear short sleeves to make it easier for the dentist and assistant to access your mouth and take x-rays.

How to Prepare:

If you’re feeling anxious or nervous about your appointment, consider practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or visualization. It may also be helpful to talk to your dentist about any concerns you have beforehand, so they can help put you at ease.

By following these tips and knowing what to expect during your visit, you can feel confident and prepared for your first dentist appointment.

Dental Insurance and Costs

Before visiting the dentist, it’s important to understand how your dental insurance policy works and what it covers. Check with your insurance provider to see what services are covered and any out-of-pocket costs you may incur. Some policies require a co-payment for certain procedures, while others have deductibles that must be met before coverage begins.

Additionally, it’s important to ask your dentist about payment options and what forms of payment are accepted. Some dental offices offer payment plans or financing options to help manage the cost of more extensive dental work. Be sure to inquire about these options beforehand so you can plan accordingly.

What Your Dentist Needs to Know About You

It’s crucial for your dentist to know about your medical history and any medications you are currently taking. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, can affect your dental health or the procedures your dentist may recommend. Additionally, some medications can impact your dental health or interact with medications given during dental treatments.

Be sure to inform your dentist of any surgeries, illnesses, or conditions you have been diagnosed with, as well as any current medications or allergies. This information will help your dentist develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and ensure your safety during dental procedures.

If you’re unsure about what information to share with your dentist, consider bringing a list of your medications and medical history to your appointment. This can help ensure that you don’t overlook any important details and allow for a more thorough assessment of your dental health.

Common Dental Procedures and Treatments

Knowing what to expect during a dental visit can help ease any anxiety you may have about the unknown. Some of the most common dental procedures include teeth cleaning, X-rays, and cavity filling.

Teeth Cleaning

A teeth cleaning is a preventive measure taken to remove plaque and tartar build-up that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. During a cleaning, the dental hygienist will use special tools to polish your teeth and remove any stains.

X-rays are commonly taken to help diagnose dental issues that may not be visible to the naked eye. These include cavities, impacted teeth, and bone loss. The amount of radiation exposure during a dental X-ray is very low, so there’s no need to worry about potential harm.

Cavity Filling

If your dentist finds a cavity during your visit, they will recommend a filling to prevent the cavity from getting worse. The procedure involves removing the decayed area and filling it with a material, such as silver amalgam or tooth-colored resin. The process is quick and usually doesn’t require any anesthesia.

Dealing with Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety is a common issue that can make visiting the dentist a stressful experience. Here are a few tips to help you manage your anxiety:

Communicate with Your Dentist

Let your dentist know about your anxiety before your appointment. They can work with you to find ways to make the experience more comfortable and may be able to prescribe medication to help you relax.

Breathing Techniques

Deep breathing exercises can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Try taking slow, deep breaths from your belly and exhaling slowly. This can help calm your nerves and decrease your heart rate.

Distraction Techniques

Bring headphones and listen to calming music or a podcast during the appointment. Some offices also offer TVs or tablets to help distract patients during the procedure.

With these tips in mind, you can be better prepared for your first visit to the dentist and feel confident in maintaining good oral health.

Caring for Your Teeth and Oral Health

One of the best ways to prepare for your first visit to the dentist is by adopting a regular daily routine for oral hygiene. This routine should include brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once a day to remove plaque, and using mouthwash to kill bacteria. These habits will help prevent cavities, gum diseases, and bad breath. Don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every three to four months as worn or frayed bristles won’t clean your teeth effectively.

Along with a regular daily routine, your diet plays an essential role in maintaining good oral health. Eating a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamins can help keep your teeth healthy and strong. Avoid sugary foods and beverages like candy, soda, and cakes as they can lead to tooth decay. Instead, opt for a healthier choice like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and dairy products. Drinking enough water also helps to clean your mouth and keep it hydrated.

In addition to good oral hygiene and a healthy diet, regular dental check-ups are crucial in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Visiting the dentist every six months can help detect any dental problems early and save you from expensive treatments in the future. Your dentist will also clean your teeth and advise you on any necessary dental procedures or hygiene practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should i bring to my first dental appointment.

On your first visit, it’s essential to bring your dental insurance information, a list of your medications, and any medical conditions you have. It’s also important to inform your dentist of any allergies you may have or any concerns you might have about your teeth or oral health.

Are dental x-rays safe?

Yes, dental x-rays are safe. Dentists use a minimal amount of radiation that poses no risk to your health. The American Dental Association recommends bitewing x-rays every two years and a full-mouth x-ray every three to five years, depending on your dental health.

What happens during a routine dental check-up?

During a routine check-up, your dentist will examine your mouth, teeth, and gums for any signs of decay, gum disease, or oral cancer. They will also clean your teeth and remove any plaque or tartar build-up. If any dental procedures are necessary, your dentist will discuss them with you and make any necessary recommendations.

Importance of Follow-Up Visits

Now that you have successfully completed your first visit to the dentist, it is important to understand the significance of follow-up visits to maintain good oral health. Regular dental check-ups can prevent oral health problems from developing into serious issues. Your dentist can detect and diagnose any early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and other potential problems that you may not be aware of. Regular dental check-ups can ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy and can help identify any problems that may require treatment before it becomes too late.

Dental check-ups are recommended every six months or as determined by your dentist’s assessment of your oral health. Children may need to visit the dentist more frequently, depending on their dental needs. During each follow-up visit, the dentist will carefully examine your mouth, teeth, and gums to look for any signs of decay, infection, inflammation, or other issues. They may also take X-rays to check for any issues that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Your Next Steps

Tips on how to schedule your next appointment.

Once you have completed your first visit, it is time to start thinking about scheduling your next appointment. Make sure to schedule visits well in advance, so that you don’t have to rush or squeeze in an appointment at the last minute. If you prefer to schedule appointments online, check if your dentist’s office has an online portal. If not, you can call or email the office and schedule an appointment that way. Make sure to let them know if you are experiencing any discomfort or have any concerns regarding your oral health.

The importance of following the recommended treatment plan

During your follow-up visits, your dentist may recommend specific treatments or procedures that will help maintain good oral health. Make sure to follow your dentist’s recommendations and adhere to the treatment plan. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to ask your dentist for further information. Following the recommended treatment plan can help prevent oral health problems from developing into serious issues and can ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy for years to come.

By understanding the importance of follow-up visits and adhering to the recommended treatment plan, you can maintain good oral health and enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile.

What to Expect During Your First Dental Appointment

Now that you have prepared yourself to visit the dentist, let us give you an idea of what to expect during your first visit.

Dental History

The dentist will ask you about your medical history and your dental history during the first visit. It is important to be honest about your dental habits, including how often you brush and floss, as well as any past dental procedures you’ve had. This information will help the dentist provide you with the best possible care.

In addition, you will be asked about any current dental problems or concerns you may have. Do you have a toothache? Are you experiencing sensitivity? Do your gums bleed when you brush? Make sure to share any dental concerns or issues you have with your dentist.

Finally, the dentist may also ask you about your diet and lifestyle habits, such as whether you smoke or chew tobacco, which may affect your oral health.

Dental Examination

After discussing your dental history and any concerns you may have, the dentist will conduct a thorough examination of your mouth. During the examination, the dentist will look for any signs of decay, gum disease, or other oral health issues. You may also receive dental x-rays to check for problems that may not be visible to the naked eye.

Based on the examination, the dentist will provide you with a diagnosis and treatment plan, if necessary. This may include recommendations for dental work, such as fillings, root canals, or extractions, as well as advice on how to improve your oral hygiene habits.

Now, armed with this knowledge, you are ready to take the first step towards maintaining a healthy and happy smile. Don’t forget to schedule your regular dental check-ups and cleanings to keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape!

Final Thoughts

Congratulations on taking the first step towards good dental health by scheduling your first visit to the dentist. It’s natural to feel a little nervous, but don’t worry! With these tips on how to prepare and what to expect, you’ll be well on your way to a successful appointment.

Remember to bring your insurance information, arrive early, and communicate any concerns or questions you may have with your dentist. Taking care of your oral health is an important part of overall wellness, so keep up with regular appointments and good dental habits at home. Best of luck on your journey to a healthy smile!

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Health Begins in the Mouth | Dr. Mark Burhenne

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Pain After Dental Work: Types, Recovery Time, & Pain Relief

Get Dr. B’s Dental Health Tips

1. jaw muscle fatigue, 2. pulpitis, 3. referred myofacial pain, 4. dry socket pain, 5. soft tissue injury pain, 6. dental implant pain, 7. gum graft surgery pain, 9. tooth sensitivity, how to prevent pain after a dental visit, how to relieve pain after dental work.

The number one reason people put off going to the dentist is a fear of pain . This can greatly damage your oral health and lead to many more problems down the road.

Some pain after a dental visit is to be expected, while other types of pain after dental work may require follow-up care.

You may wonder if your jaw pain or referred pain in your ears, eyes, or other areas of the face is normal, rare, or cause for alarm.

The most common types of pain after a dental visit include:

Common causes of pain after dental work are poor procedure, pre-existing inflammation, very large cavities, and irritation of TMD (TMJ pain).

People who struggle with teeth grinding/clenching are generally at the highest risk for postoperative pain.

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How long does pain after dental work last.

The majority of pain after dental treatment should go away in 1-2 days. For wisdom tooth surgery, pain may last closer to 1-2 weeks. If you have TMJ pain after dental work, it may take months for the pain to go away.

Typically, I recommend asking the dentist who will perform your procedure what kind of pain you should expect afterwards.

In addition, understanding what kind of pain to expect helps you know when your dental problems are cause for a follow-up visit.

Questions to ask your dentist include:

• Will I feel stabbing pain? 
• Should I expect a sore mouth? 
• Will my teeth be sensitive to hot or cold? 
• Should my recovery pain make it hard to perform daily tasks, or is it more likely to simply be annoying or minor?

If you experience pain outside of what your dentist describes as expected, call him or her to find out the next steps. If procedures have been performed poorly or if you have additional issues that must be corrected professionally, you may end up having to get a follow-up procedure.

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What it is: Jaw muscle pain after dental work, like a filling or root canal, is muscle soreness caused by having the mouth open for a long time. People that grind their teeth a lot are more susceptible to this condition because their temporomandibular joint is already strained.

What it feels like: The jaw muscles give out, much like your leg muscles when running until you can hardly stand. Your muscles may feel tired, exhausted, and shaking, which produces pain.

How it happens: The mouth stays open for an extended period of time, exhausting the muscles of the jaw.

Your dentist may notice when this is happening during a procedure because you won’t be able to keep your mouth open and have accompanying muscle spasms. You may believe you’re holding your mouth open, even when you aren’t.

How to fix it: If you know you have TMJ problems, ask your dentist for a bite block. A bite block is a small rubber block that does not force your jaw open but allows it to stay open without jaw muscle exhaustion. The block does the work for you. 

How long should jaw muscle fatigue last? Jaw muscle pain after dental work is most common for longer procedures, like root canals, and can last for several days.

What it is: Pulpitis is inflammation of the sensitive inner layer, or pulp, of the tooth.

What it feels like: Pulpitis causes sensitive teeth , painful when exposed to hot or cold. It can also cause generalized toothache and may eventually lead to an abscess if left untreated. This painful condition will usually be concentrated to the tooth your dentist worked on during the procedure.

The pain of pulpitis after dental work is similar to the pain you develop from extensive tooth decay.

There are two types of pulpitis: reversible pulpitis and irreversible pulpitis. If you have reversible pulpitis, you probably don’t feel pain unless something actually touches your affected tooth. Irreversible pulpitis feels more consistent and hurts worse.

How it happens: Even a simple filling can cause pulpitis. Aggressively prepping and drilling of the tooth can cause pulpitis. Your dentist also may have used a lot of air after drilling in the tooth, which can cause tooth pain to be generated from the filled area of the tooth. 

Rarely, a careless dentist may actually nick the nerve, leading to greater sensitivity and pain.

However, your dentist may find that a cavity is deeper and more extensive than originally thought, requiring the tooth be drilled into the nerve area. This would require a root canal.

Working on a cracked or chipped tooth may also cause pulpitis.

How to fix it: Reversible pulpitis can go away if the inflammation goes down, but your dentist will probably need to examine and correct the damage if possible. Irreversible pulpitis, once the inflammation reaches a certain point, requires a root canal or tooth extraction .

How long should pulpitis last? Pulpitis pain in a specific tooth several days after a dental procedure necessitates another visit to the dentist. Neither type of pulpitis is likely to go away on its own.

What it is : Any dental procedure may result in referred facial pain. This is pain that may affect the eye socket, ears, or other facial areas.

What it feels like: Referred myofacial pain may feel like an earache or other persistent pain in areas associated with the teeth, but outside of the mouth.

How it happens: This happens when nerves are inflamed or irritated by dental work but send pain throughout other nerves nearby. It can feel like a knotted muscle and will probably interfere with your sleep.

There’s no way to predict or prevent referred pain after a dental visit.

How to fix it : While this type of pain is very common, it’s also one that will require intervention from your dentist or oral surgeon.

Common ways to treat referred myofascial pain include trigger point injections and physical therapy.

How long should referred myofacial pain last? Referred myofacial pain after dental work probably won’t go away without further treatment.

What it is: Dry socket is bone pain that results from loss of the blood clot in a tooth socket after tooth extraction. This pain after dental visits is usually associated with more extensive oral surgery (like after wisdom teeth removal ).

What it feels like: Dry socket pain is deep, sore pain that radiates from your tooth socket up and down the same side of your face.

The pain receptors in bone are very sensitive, which is why this condition hurts so much. 

Dry socket pain sometimes radiates up to the ear and may also cause worsened breath or unpleasant taste in the mouth. Other symptoms include headache and, on occasion, fever from a resulting infection.

How it happens: If the blood clot from your tooth extraction falls out before the 4-day mark after tooth extraction, you will probably develop dry socket. It’s most likely 2-3 days after your tooth is removed.

Any sucking motion in the mouth, like drinking through a straw or aggressive mouthwash swishing increases your chances of losing the blood clot over your exposed bone.

How to fix it: Dry socket that happens in the first 1-2 days after extraction will probably need to be corrected by your dentist or oral surgeon. Most of the time, he or she can use dry socket paste to relieve your pain and protect the exposed area so it has time to heal.

In severe cases, you may need bone graft material or surgical foam to support the healing process. This is most necessary for people with thinning bone (like those with advanced periodontal disease).

If your clot falls out between day 3-4, the pain is likely to clear up on its own without intervention. However, it’s always a good idea to contact your dentist/oral surgeon to find out what s/he would suggest.

Home remedies for dry socket pain may include over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, cold compress, salt water rinse, clove oil, and/or honey.

How long should dry socket pain last? Dry socket is typically painful for 7-10 days after tooth extraction. Patients with advancing gum disease may experience pain for several weeks.

What it is: Nicking the gums or tongue during a dental procedure will likely cause trauma in the mouth, resulting in soft tissue pain.

What it feels like: Injury of soft tissue typically results in throbbing pain that’s sensitive to touch, like when you chew food. It will probably also cause pain when you eat hot foods.

Anytime the tongue is harmed at all can be very painful. It’s one of the reasons your dentist discourages eating food that requires a lot of chewing following a procedure that requires anesthetic.

How it happens: Some people may inadvertently bite their tongues during a dental procedure, which will produce pain in the days following the procedure as the tongue heals. The gums may be nicked by dental instruments. 

Gums will also feel pain after procedures where they are purposefully incised, such as removal of an impacted wisdom tooth.

Burning your mouth with hot foods shortly after a procedure can also cause pain.

A biopsy usually does not cause a lot of pain, but there is the possibility of soft tissue involvement, which can cause pain as it heals.

How to fix it: Be very cautious eating after dental work where your mouth and tongue are numbed. Use a salt water rinse, clove oil, benzocaine, or another toothache home remedy to correct the pain.

How long should soft tissue injury pain last? Soft tissue pain should last 3 days or fewer, although it can open your body up to infection. The tongue is very sensitive and takes a while to heal, which can take 2-3 weeks.

If you develop an infection from this type of injury, your dentist will probably prescribe an antibiotic.

Numbness in the tongue, lips, and jaw (known as paresthesia) is normal for a few hours after many types of dental procedures. However, if it lasts much longer, it may be permanent. If this happens, talk to your dentist right away.

What it is: When you get a dental implant , you’ll have soreness in the days following the procedure.

What it feels like: Implant pain is inflammation in the bone, like dry socket, and bone pain is very generalized. It can refer, run up and down the jaw, and is very achy, which is the nature of bone pain.

The pain receptors in bone are one of the most sensitive types of pain receptors in the body.

How it happens: Some post-op pain should be expected after an implant, but it’s usually less than the pain of having a tooth pulled.

How to fix it: This type of pain after a dental visit should go away without any sort of intervention. Just be aware of this before your implant, and call your dentist if the pain persists for more than a few days.

How long should dental implant pain last? Dental implant pain usually lasts about 2-3 days.

What it is: If you have receding gums that have progressed to exposing sensitive dentin (or bone), your dentist may suggest you have gum graft surgery.

What it feels like: Pain after gum graft surgery can be significant, with a combination of bone pain and gum pain in two different parts of the mouth. Expect the pain to be generalized and somewhat severe for several days.

How it happens: In gum graft surgery, your gums are purposefully “injured” in the process of correcting gum recession. Because dentin was exposed, you’ll also have bone pain as a result of increased contact between dental instruments and bone.

How to fix it: This pain should be expected after gum graft surgery. Your oral surgeon should recommend pain relievers or give you a prescription for one. Let him or her know if the pain lasts longer than a week and doesn’t subside.

How long should gum graft surgery pain last? Gum graft surgery pain typically lasts a week or less.

What it is: Trismus is a spasm of the jaw muscles, causing the mouth to remain tightly closed.

Trismus is sometimes called lockjaw, although it’s not the same “lockjaw” as a tetanus infection.

What it feels like: With trismus, your jaw muscles will spasm and close the mouth tightly. You can expect pain from the tensed muscles and possibly some tooth sensitivity from grinding.

Soreness and tenderness in the lower jaw are also symptoms of trismus.

How it happens: The needle used to inject local anesthetic may go through the muscle when a dentist is working on your lower teeth.

This doesn’t usually produce pain immediately following the procedure. But in 2-3 days following the procedure or injection, the muscle may stiffen, making it hard to open your mouth.

The condition will always be on the same side as the injection site, but it is fairly rare. You could also have it on both sides if you’re having your wisdom teeth out, though that’s even more rare.

How to fix it: Trismus is a condition your dentist should help you treat. He or she may prescribe a soft foods diet, physical therapy or massage, a jaw-stretching device, and/or muscle relaxers and pain relieving medication.

How long should trismus last? Trismus should last 2 weeks or less.

What it is: Tooth sensitivity may happen after dental procedures like a teeth cleaning or even a dental crown . Anytime tooth enamel or gums are worked on, sensitivity can result.

What it feels like: Tooth sensitivity is generalized soreness when teeth are exposed to very hot or very cold foods or drinks.

How it happens: Tooth sensitivity is a normal pain to expect after any dental procedure. It happens because the sensitive tissues of the teeth and gums have been agitated during normal dental care.

This is more likely during a root planing and scaling , a deep teeth cleaning performed during gum disease treatment.

In some cases, a dental filling is too high and can cause sensitivity (usually on just one side of the mouth).

How to fix it: Tooth sensitivity from a dental procedure should go away on its own, but you can try a salt rinse or benzocaine for relief. If you know you struggle with sensitivity after normal procedures like cleanings at your check-ups, try tips for making your cleanings less painful .

If you got a dental filling that is too high and interferes with your bite, you’ll need to go back to the dentist to resolve the sensitivity.

How long should tooth sensitivity last? Tooth sensitivity caused by dental work should go away in 2-3 days.

While some pain is to be expected after most dental procedures, there are a few steps you can take to prevent it before it starts.

To prevent pain after dental work:

• Eat an anti-inflammatory diet. Eating anti-inflammatory foods before you go to the dentist can be helpful in reducing how much pain you experience afterwards.
• Treat your TMD/TMJ before any procedure. If you’re more susceptible to jaw pain, try giving your muscles some light stretching and more rest before you go into a dental procedure.
• Ask for a bite block. To give your jaw muscles a break, you can request a bite block be used during your procedure to minimize muscle pain afterwards.
• Deal with bruxism (grinding) issues before your procedure. Grinding your teeth is likely to trigger pain after dental work. Treating that ahead of time will go a long way in helping you have a quick recovery.
• Deal with infection before having a cavity restored. Your doctor may give you antibiotics before having a root canal or dental filling . The less infection and smaller the abscess near a cavity, the less pain you’re likely to experience after having it fixed.
• Ask for a break in the middle of a long procedure. If your mouth has to be opened wide for several hours, asking ahead of time for a break in the middle is one way to prevent extra jaw muscle pain.
• Relax! Stress can cause a number of pain-inducing conditions like dental anxiety, muscle aches, and even some extra tooth grinding. Practice mindfulness and rest in the days leading up to your procedure. You might even try some CBD for dental anxiety if you know you’re nervous before your dental work. Using weighted blankets, noise-canceling headphones, or working with a therapy dog helps to provide some calm from the anxiety that many people feel before dental work.

Prevention is always your best tool for preventing tooth pain. In general, a large majority of dental work can be avoided by addressing dental health on a regular basis. 

To prevent dental problems that require restorative procedures:

• Practice good oral hygiene. Use an electric toothbrush , a remineralizing toothpaste , and scrape your tongue at least twice every day. Never skip flossing. Good oral care is key to good oral health!
• Eat a tooth-friendly diet . Foods can cause or prevent/reverse cavities . Focus on nutrient-dense foods with minimal processing, sugar, and acid content.
• Don’t ignore signs of periodontal disease. Gum disease is incredibly common, especially after the age of 60. It’s associated with dozens of comorbid health conditions — don’t ignore it. Talk to your dentist about bleeding gums .
• See your dentist every 6 months. Dental health care is a huge part of your overall health. Bi-yearly dental appointments are important because teeth cleanings and regular exams can prevent small problems before they become big.
• Address sleep-disordered breathing . Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), like that seen in sleep apnea, is a problem for countless reasons — one of which is poor oral health. SDB is associated with bad breath , TMJ, and weakened tooth enamel, among other issues.

For pain relief after dental work:

• Eat an anti-inflammatory diet. A diet high in plant-based foods , essential fatty acids, high-antioxidant foods, and foods with plenty of trace minerals reduce all-body inflammation . Inflammation is the root cause of most pain. Popular anti-inflammatory diets include the keto diet , Paleo diet, Mediterranean diet, or Whole30.
• Try a turmeric supplement. Turmeric is one of nature’s most potent natural pain relievers . Turmeric even outperforms some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used for pain and may treat postoperative pain. 
• Rest and ice your jaw. If TMJ pain is your biggest issue, do what you can to relax your jaw before and after the procedure. Use an ice pack to reduce swelling and calm muscle inflammation. Avoid having dental work performed at a dental school , as the procedures done there usually take longer.
• Try THC or CBD. Both major compounds in marijuana, THC and CBD, are powerful pain relieving agents . 
• Drink ice-cold coconut water. Coconut water can help to replenish electrolytes that you may lose during wisdom teeth removal recovery . Drinking it ice cold may reduce inflammation and soft tissue pain.
• Take an over-the-counter painkiller like ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is generally considered the best pain reliever for tooth pain . You may also try acetaminophen (Tylenol). I recommend patients follow the 3-3-3 method: 3 ibuprofen, 3 times a day, for 3 days after dental work.
• Take pain medications prescribed by your dentist. Opioids like Tylenol-3, Vicodin (Lortab; acetaminophen with hydrocodone), and Percocet (acetaminophen with oxycodone) may be used for dental pain. These are not prescribed as often as they used to be due to the opioid epidemic. Your dentist is unlikely to prescribe these pain medications except in extreme cases.

Should my teeth hurt after a cleaning?

Your teeth may be sore or sensitive after a cleaning. The longer it’s been since your last cleaning, the more likely it is you’ll have soreness.

If you’ve waited years to get a cleaning, your hygienist might need to do a full scaling and root planing to clear your teeth of plaque.

After that, your roots will be very clean — but they’ll be sensitive to cold for 1-2 weeks.

Very healthy teeth and gums that are regularly cleaned probably won’t hurt after a cleaning, although a bit of gum soreness for a day or two is normal.

Is it normal to have tooth pain after a filling?

After a filling, some pain is normal. Usually, you’ll notice soreness around the tooth for 1-2 days. 

Metal fillings tend to cause pain more easily than plastic fillings, but plastics can cause pain in their own way, too.

There are two types of pain from a filling that would send you back to the dentist, though.

Aching and cold sensitivity around a filled tooth that lasts more than 3 days may be a sign of pulpitis. Pulpitis can be reversible or irreversible. The latter would, unfortunately, require a root canal or tooth extraction.

That’s why you should always get cavities filled once they’re small but have passed the point of reversal. The larger the cavity, the bigger your chance to develop pulpitis.

The second reason a filling could cause pain longer than a couple of days is a filling that’s too high. A tall filling may mess with your bite.

How do you know this has happened? You’d notice cold sensitivity and some aching about 2-3 days after getting the filling, and the pain would not get better over time.

Both of these reasons for tooth pain after a filling will send you back to the dentist for some type of correction.

How do you know if you have an infection after dental work?

Infections after dental work may cause:

• Bad taste in the mouth
• Toothache or new hot/cold tooth sensitivity
• Gum swelling
• Swollen jaw
• Swelling of the lymph nodes or neck

If you think you have developed an infection after dental work, talk to your dentist immediately.

• Watzl, B. (2008). Anti-inflammatory effects of plant-based foods and of their constituents. International journal for vitamin and nutrition research, 78 (6), 293-298. Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19685439/  
• Chrysohoou, C., Panagiotakos, D. B., Pitsavos, C., Das, U. N., & Stefanadis, C. (2004). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet attenuates inflammation and coagulation process in healthy adults: The ATTICA Study. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 44 (1), 152-158. Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21139128/  
• Sun, J., Chen, F., Braun, C., Zhou, Y. Q., Rittner, H., Tian, Y. K., … & Ye, D. W. (2018). Role of curcumin in the management of pathological pain. Phytomedicine, 48 , 129-140. Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30195871/  
• Takada, Y., Bhardwaj, A., Potdar, P., & Aggarwal, B. B. (2004). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents differ in their ability to suppress NF-κB activation, inhibition of expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and cyclin D1, and abrogation of tumor cell proliferation. Oncogene, 23 (57), 9247. Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15489888/  
• Agarwal, K. A., Tripathi, C. D., Agarwal, B. B., & Saluja, S. (2011). Efficacy of turmeric (curcumin) in pain and postoperative fatigue after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study. Surgical endoscopy, 25 (12), 3805-3810. Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21671126/
• Mack, A., & Joy, J. (2000). MARIJUANA AND PAIN . Full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224384/  
• Bailey, E., Worthington, H. V., van Wijk, A., Yates, J. M., Coulthard, P., & Afzal, Z. (2013). Ibuprofen and/or paracetamol (acetaminophen) for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Review s, (12). Full text: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004624.pub2/full

About Mark Burhenne, DDS

I’m on a mission to empower people everywhere with the same evidence-based, easy-to-understand dental health advice that my patients get. You can read my story here. I have been a dentist in private practice for 35 years. I graduated from the Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, CA in 1987 and am a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), Academy of General Dentistry (Chicago, IL), American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH), and Dental Board of California.

Dr. Mark is the author of the best-selling book 8-Hour Sleep Paradox

• Lesson 08: A visit to the Dentist

Back To The Course

Readings – level 2.

• Lesson 01: Dogs and Parks
• Lesson 02: A visit to the Doctor
• Lesson 03: Saint Patrick’s Day
• Lesson 04: Women and Shoes
• Lesson 05: Spring
• Lesson 06: Books are Source of Knowledge
• Lesson 07: Sally’s Children
• Lesson 09: Going to Work
• Lesson 10: Summer
• Lesson 11: Summer Refreshments
• Lesson 12: Making Spaghetti
• Lesson 13: Vacations Abroad
• Lesson 14: Independence Day
• Lesson 15: Fall
• Lesson 16: Judy’s Garden
• Lesson 17: Making a Deposit in your Bank Account
• Lesson 18: Halloween
• Lesson 19: Chritsmas in The United States
• Lesson 20: Winter
• Reading – Level 2

A visit to the Dentist Eva has a terrible toothache today. She wants to see her dentist as soon as possible. She visited her dentist six months ago. She went there for a cleaning and check up. When she visited the dentist everything was all right. Eva is afraid of the dentist’s drill. She does not like the sound it makes. She gets nervous when she hears the drill going. She knows that visits to the dentist can be very expensive if you do not have dental coverage. Some employers offer dental coverage as part of the benefit package. Other employers offer to pay a big percentage of the coverage. Eva has a good job. She works for a financial company on Wall Street so she has a good dental coverage. The dentist is going to see if Eva has a new cavity. Cavities are little holes that bacteria make in your teeth when you don’t brush them. To avoid getting cavities people should brush their teeth three times a day. If the filling of the cavity is gone, the dentist will have to fill the cavity one more time. Eva is nervous. She does not like the idea of getting a new filling because her dentist will have to use the drill to clean the bad part of the tooth. If he has to do that, Eva will ask him to give her a shot of anesthesia so that she does not feel the pain. When Eva leaves the dentist’s office, she will not be able to eat anything for quite some time. document.createElement('audio'); http://easyworldofenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/readings_level2_11b.mp3

The Dentist — a short story for English reading

Michael hates going to the dentist.

And today is no different.

But he has some work to do on his teeth.

Today though, the dentist introduces a brand-new painkiller. It could be just the thing that Michael needs.

Check out my short story, The Dentist, which comes with a full and complete lesson plan that you can use in your English class today.

Take a look below… And tell me what you think.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Do you like to go to the dentist? Why/why not?

What do you dislike about going to the dentist?

What is a psychopath?

Could a dentist be a psychopath? What if he was?

The Dentist

Michael hated it.

He hated sitting in the chair and feeling helpless. The bright light above his head and the clean, hygienic walls that surrounded him.

It all made him feel incredibly uneasy.

“Michael, I can assure you, there is nothing to worry about,” said Mr Crane. He wore his dentist’s white coat and had perfect white teeth. He gazed back at Michael with a relaxed air. Like there was nothing to worry about.

It was all right for him. He wasn’t sitting in the chair. He was not about to have treatment for a new crown to be fitted.

Michael shifted his weight in the chair and grimaced.

“I’m sorry about last time,” he said. “It’s just a stupid fear I have.”

“Fear of going to the dentist?” asked Mr Crane. “Don’t worry about it. I get this all the time from patients.”

He leaned forward. “Some are a lot of trouble, I can assure you.”

He gave Michael an encouraging smile.

This did nothing for Michael’s nerves. He would rather be anywhere else than in this dentist’s chair. He could accept the pain in his tooth. That was much better than sitting here, while Mr Crane drilled into the offending tooth.

“Michael, I have something I want to show you,” said Mr Crane, going to a small tray to the side of the room. He turned and picked up a small glass vial. He raised it to show to Michael. It was filled with a clear liquid.

“This is a new anaesthetic on the market,” he went on. “It is brand new, and only my private students are allowed to have it. The company that makes it wants it to be very secret.”

Mr Crane sat on the stool next to Michael and looked down at him. “But this is an incredible formula. It is probably the best pain-killer on the market.”

The dentist continued to hold Michael’s gaze. “Would you like to try it?”

“I- I don’t want to be any trouble,” said Michael.

But his eyes were fixed on the small vial held between Mr Crane’s finger and thumb.

“It’s no trouble at all,” said Mr Crane. He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Our little secret.”

The thought of being given something so powerful that he would not experience any pain at all sent a calm, soothing feeling through Michael’s nerves. He could feel himself relaxing as if he were already under the influence of the new painkiller.

“Are you sure?” asked Michael.

“No problem,” said Mr Crane.

Michael lay back in the chair while Mr Crane filled the syringe from the tiny bottle. He hummed a small tune as he did it and Michael recognised it as a popular song that was on the radio.

Through the window, he could make out normal life carrying on outside. He heard a bus drive by and the sound of a bell on a bicycle.

People’s voices and children laughing.

Everything was fine. There was nothing to worry about at all.

“Shall we?” said Mr Crane, and he raised the syringe in front of him.

Michael nodded. He would pass by all this pain and torture and not feel a thing. He was so happy. So relieved.

Mr Crane leaned forward. “You’ll just feel a little jab as the needle goes in. Then, nothing to worry about.”

Michael tensed as the needle entered his gum. Yes, very uncomfortable, and ice-cold, but in a few minutes nothing but deep relaxation.

“All done,” said Mr Crane. “I’ll be back in a few minutes and we can begin.”

Michael lay deeper into the chair and half-closed his eyes. The muscles of his arms, legs, his entire body felt relaxed. A warm soothing feeling washed over him and he felt as if all the worries and anxieties he had ever experienced left him for good.

His body was so relaxed that all he could do was breathe. He tried to lift the little finger of his right hand and it felt as if it moved a little but he couldn’t be sure. He forgot about it and allowed the dream-like quality of the anaesthetic to wash over him.

A little nagging thought tapped at his inner-most mind and he tried to move his little finger again.

It felt as if it moved but he could not feel it really move. It was like he imagined it moving only.

He went to move his head to the right to see his hand more clearly. He could not.

A small jab of tension cleared his mind a little, and he tried again. Nothing.

He could not move his head at all.

He took a deep breath of air into his lungs and automatically tried to lift both of his hands. But they stayed on the armrests of the chair like they were glued there.

No resistance. No feeling.

He simply could not move his arms or head at all.

He kicked out, and neither foot moved.

Michael sucked in a chest full of air and went to call out to Mr Crane. No sound came.

He could not move. And he had lost the power to make any sound.

He was paralysed. Stuck to the chair, but wide awake.

A shadow appeared beside him.

“We should be about ready by now,” said Mr Crane.

His voice sounded like an echo and far away.

And where was the nurse? The dental assistant?

There was usually a young woman helping. It was just him and Mr Crane. Why was he alone with him?

The dentist’s face loomed up in front of Michael.

“Shall we see if this new drug has taken effect yet?” he asked.

He had a bright, shiny scalpel in his hand.

Michael tried to scream but no sound came. He just lay in the chair unable to move.

Mr Crane opened Michael’s mouth and jabbed the scalpel against his tongue. A dagger of pain soared through Michael’s mouth and into his brain.

Inside his head, he let out a scream.

“ Let’s get to work then,” said Mr Crane, closing the blind of the window.

Reading Comprehension Questions

Where is Michael?

How does he feel being there?

What specific aspects of the dentist’s office make Michael uneasy?

Describe Mr Crane’s demeanour as a dentist.

What is Michael’s concern regarding his dental treatment?

What does Mr Crane think about Michael’s feelings? What expression does he use to try to calm him?

Is this Michael’s first visit to see Mr Crane?

Where does Michael want to be instead?

What does Mr Crane show Michael?

Does Mr Crane want Michael to try the new anaesthetic?

What kind of patients usually use this anaesthetic?

Why does Michael agree to try the new anaesthetic?

What can Michael hear outside the window?

How does Michael feel immediately after Mr Crane gives him the injection?

What effect does the anaesthetic have on Michael’s body and mind?

What part of his body does Michael try to move?

What does he try to move next?

Describe Michael’s initial reaction when he realizes he can’t move.

Why does Michael become increasingly panicked?

How does Michael attempt to communicate his distress?

What was Michael’s first clue that something might be wrong with Mr Crane’s intentions?

Is there a nurse to help the dentist?

What actions does Mr Crane take after Michael’s paralysis becomes apparent?

What realization dawns upon Michael about the situation?

What does Mr Crane have in his hand?

What does he do with this object?

What is Michael’s reaction?

How does Mr Crane react to Michael’s initial attempts to move and call out?

What does Mr Crane do next after realizing the drug has taken effect?

What does Mr Crane do next?

Why does Mr Crane close the blind of the window?

True or False

Go over all the sentences below and say if they are true or false.

The correct answers can be found at the end of the lesson plan.

Michael is at the dentist.

Michael loves going to the dentist.

Michael feels comfortable and at ease while sitting in the dentist’s chair.

Mr Crane wears a white coat and has perfect white teeth.

Michael’s fear of going to the dentist is uncommon and rarely experienced by other patients.

Mr Crane doesn’t know Michael.

Michael needs a new filling for his tooth.

Mr Crane shows Michael a little vial.

Mr Crane introduces a new tooth cleaner to Michael.

Michael doesn’t want to try this new medicine.

It is during the daytime at the dentist’s.

Mr Crane lets Michael use the syringe on himself.

Michael feels relaxed and relieved of all worries and anxieties.

Michael can move his head and little finger after the painkiller is administered.

Michael cannot speak.

The nurse helps Mr Crane.

Mr Crane taps Michael’s gum with his finger.

Mr Crane closes the blind of the window to let more light into the room.

Michael becomes increasingly panicked and tries to scream for help.

Mr Crane expresses concern and tries to assist Michael when he realizes something is wrong.

Michael is able to call out to Mr Crane for help when he is paralysed.

Essential Vocabulary

Write down all the words and phrases in your vocabulary notebook. Look in your dictionary and find the meaning of each word. Write the definition next to each word.

Then make up your own sentences using each word or phrase.

For example:

Relaxed air — a calm and easygoing atmosphere or demeanour, promoting comfort and informality.

Scream — a noun and verb that refers to a loud and high-pitched vocal expression of intense emotion, often conveying fear, excitement, or distress.

Then write a sentence of your own that uses the new word or phrase correctly.

I entered the room of the party and was glad to see that the place had a very relaxed air.

The woman let out a scream when the man outside banged on the door.

Do this with all the vocabulary and, over time, this will help improve all your English skills — reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Discussion Questions

Have you ever had a similar experience at the dentist, where you felt nervous or uneasy? Can you share your story?

What is Michael’s feeling about going to the dentist?

Why does he feel like this?

Put yourself in Michael’s shoes. How would you feel and react if you were in his situation?

Describe the dentist, Mr Crane, and his attitude towards Michael. Does he seem like a nice person?

Has Michael been to visit Mr Crane before? What happened last time, do you think?

Is Mr Crane used to people being afraid? How do you know?

Mr Crane shows Michael a new anaesthetic. What is really in this little vial, do you think?

What do you think is the significance of the new anaesthetic being described as a “secret formula”?

Why do you think Michael decides to try the new anaesthetic despite his fear?

Why is there no nurse to help the dentist today?

Is Mr Crane a psychopath?

Or is Michael imagining it all?

Discuss the idea of trust in the story. Why does Michael initially trust Mr Crane, and how does this trust change over time?

Imagine you are one of the characters in the story — either Michael or Mr Crane. How would you describe your thoughts and feelings during the crucial moments?

What emotions and thoughts might have gone through Michael’s mind when he realized he couldn’t move or make a sound?

Why do you think Mr Crane chose to close the blind of the window before proceeding with his actions?

What do you think about this story?

Do you think it is realistic? Why/why not?

Do psychopaths live within our normal society? What do they do? What kind of jobs do they have?

This is a role play exercise.

This role has two characters:

2. Mr Crane

Take all the existing dialogue and use this as a basis for your role play.

You can add your own lines of dialogue if you wish, and you can change all the dialogue if you really want to, but in the end, you should have a complete role play to show the class.

Take some time to prepare and when you are ready, perform your role play in front of the class.

This is a survey activity.

Look at the questions below and ask these questions in class.

Try to evaluate the responses and talk about the outcomes.

For example; most people feel comfortable going to the dentist. Or; some people hate seeing the dentist.

How frequently do you visit the dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings?

What is the main reason you typically schedule a dental appointment? (e.g., routine check-up, specific dental issue, cleaning)

How do you feel about visiting the dentist? (Very comfortable, somewhat comfortable, neutral, somewhat uncomfortable, very uncomfortable)

Have you ever experienced dental anxiety or fear before a dental appointment?

If yes, can you briefly describe what aspects of visiting the dentist make you anxious or fearful?

What strategies, if any, do you use to cope with dental anxiety or fear? (e.g., deep breathing, listening to music)

How important is the demeanour and communication style of the dentist and dental staff to make you feel comfortable during your visit?

Are there specific amenities or features in a dental office that help alleviate your anxiety or make you feel more comfortable? (e.g., soothing music, comfortable waiting area)

How well-informed do you feel about the procedures and treatments your dentist recommends?

Have you ever postponed or cancelled a dental appointment due to anxiety or fear?

If yes, what could have been done differently to encourage you to keep the appointment?

How likely are you to ask questions or voice your concerns to your dentist during a visit?

Have you ever sought professional help, such as therapy or counselling, to address dental anxiety or fear?

Do you find that the overall environment and decor of the dental office influence your comfort level?

How would you rate your overall dental experience in terms of comfort and anxiety level? (Very positive, somewhat positive, neutral, somewhat negative, very negative)

Are there specific dental procedures that cause you more anxiety than others? If so, please specify.

How important are online reviews and recommendations when choosing a new dentist?

Have you ever had a particularly positive or calming experience at the dentist? If yes, could you describe it briefly?

What suggestions do you have for dental offices to create a more comfortable and anxiety-free environment for their patients?

Overall, how satisfied are you with your current dentist and the care you receive?

Quiz — Are You a Psychopath?

This is just for fun! Or maybe not… Answer all the questions and find out if you or any of your classmates are psychopaths!

1. Do you never feel fear?

2. Do other people like you a lot?

3. Do you like to act spontaneously?

4. Do you lose interest in people and new interests quickly?

5. Do you think the idea of falling in love is silly?

6. Are you good at charming others?

7. Do you think money is the most important thing in the world?

8. Do you sometimes pretend to be nice to people, even though you don’t want to?

9. Do you think you are better than others?

10. Do you have the ability to be very polite when needed?

11. Do you find other people to be a little stupid sometimes?

12. Do you get bored easily?

13. Do you get jealous of other people sometimes?

14. Do you tell many lies?

15. Do you sometimes spend money on foolish things?

16. Have you ever cheated your family or friends?

17. Do you feel indifferent when people are sad?

18. If you get caught doing something wrong, do you feel no sense of shame or guilt?

19. Are you good at manipulating and/or exploiting others to get what you want?

20. Do you think you are an aggressive person?

21. Do you have few friends in your life?

22. Do you like to take risks?

23. Do you laugh at inappropriate moments?

24. If you answer ‘Yes’ to most of the questions, then you could be a psychopath!

Now discuss in the class.

Which people answered yes to most of the questions?

Do these people seem like psychopaths to you?

This is a creative writing exercise.

You are going to write a short story. It is a continuation of the story you read at the beginning of the lesson plan. The title of the story is:

The Dentist From Hell

Use the questions below to help you come up with some ideas.

• Does Mr Crane try to kill Michael?
• Is the pain all inside Michael’s head? If so, why?
• What does Mr Crane do when he finds that Michael cannot move or speak?
• Does someone come to help Michael?

Now write your story.

When you have finished writing, you can read it out loud in front of the class.

Or hand it to your teacher for review.

You can download the full lesson plan by clicking the link below!

You can also join my mailing list by clicking the link below. I will send you new guides, articles and lesson plans when I publish them.

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2 thoughts on “the dentist — a short story for english reading”.

I think this is a great story and an excellent topic for discussion. Going to a dentist is an inevitable experience we must all undergo and not too many people are thrilled about it! It is also en excellent opportunity to discuss fear and pain. I particularly liked the extension activities in this lesson as they opened new doorways and opportunities for additional related lessons.

Many thanks Leona, I am glad to hear your thoughts on this lesson. I am hoping to write more of these short story lesson plans in the future as I think they could be useful for students and make learning English fun.

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Ask Amy: 2 years into marriage wife is pretty certain ‘dental’ visits were something else entirely

• Published: Apr. 22, 2024, 12:04 a.m.

Wife is pretty sure her husband of 2 years is cheating on her. Syda Productions - stock.adobe.com

• Amy Dickinson

Dear Amy: I married a lovely man two years ago. We lived together for three years before marrying.

We met as his first, long-term marriage was falling apart. We are both 70 years old. We spend most of our time together, but my husband has always kept most of the other parts of his life a bit removed from our marriage. He insists that he is faithful.

In doing our tax prep, I found that four “visits to his dentist” are nonexistent, according to the insurance company.

I believe he has lied about where he has been on those days when he claimed to have been at the dentist.

We have, ad nauseam, discussed being faithful.

I have tried to trust him, despite knowing that he cheated on his wife.

How do I deal with this situation?

Do I let this go, do I hire a private investigator, or should I just leave him knowing that secretive behavior is going to ruin my emotional well-being?

Dear Sad Wife: You don’t mention other examples of behavior you believe is “removed from your marriage,” and so I wonder why you leap so readily to unfaithfulness as the root cause – unless, of course, you were your husband’s affair partner when he was unfaithful to his first wife.

Perhaps you were his phantom dentist during his first marriage?

If so, you detect a pattern of deceit because in the past you were a part of it.

I can think of many activities your husband might be doing during his non-existent dentist appointments which he might want to keep private, including pursuing sex with another woman – or man.

I do know this: Most couples married for two years do not have “ad nauseum” discussions about unfaithfulness.

Furthermore, I don’t think most couples double check on their spouse’s various appointments to the extent that you have – unless your husband was claiming dental expenses that don’t exist for tax deductions. If that is the case, then you could add fraud to the possibility that he is a philanderer.

Yes, there is an extreme lack of trust in your relationship, and before hiring a private investigator – or leaving altogether – you two should sit down with a counselor.

If your husband won’t go, you should seek therapy on your own. If your gut is telling you that your husband is unfaithful, therapy will help you to decide what to do next, because you’re right – staying in this marriage without change is not at all good for your emotional well-being.

Stories by Amy Dickinson

• Ask Amy: How can I impress upon my in-laws that they must call first, not just stop by?
• Ask Amy: Brother’s notion that he was cheated out of inheritance money causes sibling estrangement
• Ask Amy: I know the man next door is a sex offender. Should I alert the neighbors?
• Ask Amy: Our preschooler cut her own hair, then lied about it. Is this ‘self-harm’?
• Ask Amy: Her boyfriend's sister is inviting herself to doctor appointments. Should they let her?

You can email Amy Dickinson at [email protected] or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068.

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Preparing Your Kid for Their First Visit to the Dentist

Dentist visits, like annual physicals, are a regular part of taking care of our health.

Explaining a dentist visit to a child—especially their first visit—should be simple and reassuring, helping them feel comfortable and prepared. It should also encourage checkups throughout their life.

We spoke to Amy Herbert, DDS, MHA , to learn more.

When should a child first see a dentist?

When the first tooth comes in, typically around six months, or by the time the child turns one.

What do all parents ask you about a child’s first dental appointments, and what do you tell them?

Why start going when children are young?

In addition to identifying early concerns, it is good to establish the practice of visiting the dentist and establishing a positive routine. This first appointment helps get a child used to visiting the dentist.

It is also an opportunity to teach a parent about their child’s oral health: various kinds of toothpaste, diet, and nutrition (snacking habits and food and drink choices), and when and how to brush effectively are discussed.

We may also talk about teething, non-nutritive sucking habits (thumb sucking and pacifier use), sippy cups, utensils, and transitioning to table food and regular cups.

After the first dentist visit, you always have someone to call if your child has a dental injury.

Is there a best time or day of the week for the first dentist visit?

Typically, the morning is the best time for young patients, not only because they are fresh and alert, but so is the caretaker!

Try to avoid taking your child to the dentist the same day you take them to the pediatrician or other doctor. It can be too much.

How long does the first dentist visit last?

30 to 45 minutes.

What happens at the first dentist’s visit, and how should a parent or caregiver explain it to a child?

Depending on their age and level of cooperation, the child may be seated on the parent’s lap or in the dentist’s chair on their own. Like all visits, the first visit usually includes an exam of the teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues to check growth and development. If needed, a child may also have a gentle cleaning. This includes polishing teeth and removing any plaque, tartar, and stains.

The dentist should show the child and parent or caregiver how and when to properly clean teeth, floss, and brush at home. Sometimes, there may also be X-rays. But typically, they aren’t done until a child has contact between their teeth (they are touching). If there are any issues or concerns, the dentist will discuss treatment options.

What should I say or do for my kid to prepare them?

Here are a few things you might want to cover with your child:

• A dentist looks at your teeth and gums to see if everything is okay and healthy.
• A dentist—or dental hygienist—cleans teeth with special tools that remove tartar and plaque and floss and polish your teeth to help keep them healthy.
• “sugar bugs” (bacteria)
• “spinny brush” (handpiece)
• “vitamins for teeth” (fluoride treatment)
• Use a book to help
• Read books together about a character going to the dentist , such as Curious George Visits The Dentist  or Peppa Pig’s Dentist Trip .

What age should dental X-rays start?

X-rays usually start when the contact areas (where the teeth touch) are not visible. That’s typically after all primary teeth have come in. This happens at different ages. The schedule of follow-ups is decided based on individual risk and diagnoses.

If the dentist sees signs of decay or other pathology in the primary dentition, they may decide to take radiographs sooner.

Early loss of baby teeth can lead to other oral health issues. Additionally, untreated decay in baby teeth increases the likelihood of a child experiencing cavities in their permanent teeth.

What do all kids ask you, and what do you say?

Is it going to hurt?

To help them relax, we explain what will happen during the exam, show the instruments, and allow them to touch them if they wish. The key is explaining things in a language they can understand: “special pen” instead of the probe; “go for a ride” when manipulating the dental chair.

Preparing children and not surprising them is important.

What’s the best way to pick a dentist for your child?

Many people find their dentist by word of mouth, from their pediatrician, and by treatment philosophy. In addition, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Board of Pediatric Dentists have search tools on their websites.

Amy Herbert, DDS, MHA , is an assistant professor of dental medicine at Columbia.

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The Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures ® program currently offers 9 state-of-the art, mobile dental vans that are equipped to educate and screen more than 10 million children in a typical year for common oral health conditions. These dental vans are based in hub-cities and travel to under-served rural and urban communities in the United States to help raise awareness about the importance of children's oral health. Request a van visit today.

What happens during a Mobile Dental Van visit?

We help make oral health education and dental screenings fun! When children visit the dental van they are greeted by friendly volunteers, and a reassuring environment to help make the experience easy and enjoyable. Our van visits feature engaging games and videos that educate and entertain children as they await their free dental screening.

How do our dental vans operate? Colgate's mobile dental vans measure 32 feet long, nearly the size of a mobile home! There are 2 child-sized dental chairs aboard, so we can screen 2 children at a time. Children up to 12 years of age can receive free dental screening with parent or guardian consent.

The average dental screening lasts approximately two minutes. Our free screenings are visual examinations conducted inside the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® mobile dental vans by volunteer dental professionals. Parents and guardians receive screening results, and a referral to local dentists if needed.*

After the screening, children take home learning materials, Colgate ® kid's toothpaste and toothbrush, and brushing instructions to help build healthy habits at home.

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How many mobile dental vans are there within the program.

In the U.S., Colgate currently funds nine mobile dental vans as part of the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures ® program.

What would I see aboard one of the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® mobile dental vans?

Each of our mobile dental vans is a functioning "dental office on wheels", specially designed to help establish a friendly comfort level for all children. Staffed by volunteer dental professionals, our mobile dental vans feature two dental chairs for conducting dental screenings and a waiting area where kids learn about healthy habits before their screening.

Are Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® dental screenings free?

Our scheduled mobile dental van visits, education materials, dental screenings and treatment referrals are free to children as a part of Colgate's ongoing commitment to improving oral health among children.

What is a typical "van visit" like?

Throughout the year, we bring the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures ® program to local areas by organizing and participating in community events. Our "van visits" feature engaging games and videos that educate and entertain children as they await their free dental screening.

Our free screenings are visual examinations conducted inside Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® mobile dental vans by volunteer dental professionals and generally do not include preventative care. Parents and guardians receive screening results, a referral to local dentists if needed, and children take home their own Colgate ® toothbrush and toothpaste to help build healthy habits at home.

How many visits does the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program make each year?

In the U.S., the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures ® program makes approximately 2,000 van visits in a typical year.

How can my child receive a free dental screening?

Our fleet of Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures ® mobile dental vans travel to select communities to provide free dental screenings to children in need. To request a visit from the mobile dental van click here or if you'd prefer to make your request by phone, please call us at 1.877.672.3075.

If the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program does not reach my area, can I request a van visit?

At the end of each year, our team collaborates with governments, dental professionals, schools and community groups to identify areas in need for the upcoming year's van schedule. To submit your local community for consideration, please click here .

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Need dental care but can’t afford it? Read on to see if you qualify.

Meet our program eligibility? Learn how to apply.

Learn more about applying for the program.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility for the donated dental services (dds) or veteran (wysov) program​, in order to qualify, you must meet one of the following criteria..

• Over 65 years of age
• Permanently disabled
• Need medically necessary dental care

In addition, you must have no other means to afford or receive dental care.

Dental Benefits

If you have dental insurance (including Medicaid), you will need to use this resource first. You will need to provide a copy of your dental coverage and/or a letter of denial with your application (information on where to send needed documentation will be given after an application is submitted).

Once-in-a-lifetime

Patients are only eligible to go through the program one time. If you have received treatment in the past, you will not be eligible to qualify. This is due to the high need of donated dental care throughout the nation.

Implants, sedation and other complex treatment plans are often beyond the scope of what DLN can provide.

Cosmetic dental treatment is not provided.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Follow the steps below to complete the application.

Once you are placed on the waiting list, you will receive a postcard in the mail. At that time, you will need to provide supporting documentation. To submit supporting documentation, please visit the Submission Portal. The supporting documentation that may be needed is listed below (if applicable to you):

• Dental Insurance information
• If under 65: Social Security Disability Award
• Veterans: DD214

When we review your application, we will decide if you appear eligible for the program. If so, we will put you on the waiting list in the order your application was received. If you are not eligible, we will send you a letter of denial. Depending on where you live, the wait can be several months to a year or more. State DLN Coordinators are unable to give waiting list estimates. We cannot return phone calls about where you are on the waiting list due to the high volume of calls we receive.

When your application comes to the top of the wait list, DDS will contact you to go over the application. If you are eligible, you will be referred to a volunteer dentist. If a volunteer agrees to see you, you will schedule an appointment. Final acceptance into the program will be made after the first appointment with the dentist.

You may visit the Frequently Asked Questions section for further information on our programs.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for the program, please make sure to follow all below steps:

• Refer to the above Eligibility and Application Process sections.
• Visit the State Programs and click on your state of residence.
• This page will list the counties that are open and accepting applications
• If your county is closed, please check back in a few months to see if we have been able to reopen your county to new applications. If the county you live in is accepting applications, please use the Start Application button to complete an online application.

If you cannot complete an online application, you can call the DLN Coordinator listed in the State Programs page to request a paper application be mailed to you.

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A dentist found an ancient human jawbone embedded in his parents’ tile floor

A dentist was visiting his parents’ newly renovated home in Europe when he noticed something odd: One of the floor tiles in a corridor leading to a terrace held what looked like a human mandible, sliced through at an angle, including a cross section of a few teeth.

Not knowing exactly what steps to take, the dentist posted a photo of the discovery on Reddit . The internet exploded with enthusiasm, interest and ick.

“It’s not so much the teeth that I noticed but the shape of the mandible that is very recognizable,” the dentist, known as Reddit user Kidipadeli75, wrote in an email. He spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect his family’s privacy.

He pointed out that the object in the tile bears a striking similarity to a slice of an image taken with a form of CT scan used in dentistry. “As I am specialized in implant dentistry I work with this kind of image everyday and it looked very familiar,” he said.

The tile, made of a type of limestone called travertine, was imported from a quarry in Turkey. Scientists are now working with the dentist to make sure the tile is properly studied — along with a few other suspicious-looking tiles installed in the house.

While this all may seem quite shocking, paleoanthropologists were both fascinated and a little unsurprised. Travertine can form quickly, but the stones used for commercial purposes tend to come from deposits that have formed over hundreds of thousands of years, ruling out a recent death.

This tile came from a quarry in the Denizli Basin in western Turkey, where the stone has previously been dated to 1.8 million to 0.7 million years ago, according to Mehmet Cihat Alcicek, a professor at Pamukkale University in Turkey who is part of the scientific team that plans to study the mandible.

This viral photo is a reminder that travertine, which forms near hot springs and is valued as an architectural material, often contains old fossils, and that digging it up can unearth ancient treasures. Those fossils can be anything that washes into the spring, from plants, freshwater crabs, deer and reptiles to — on occasion — human remains.

John Hawks, a paleoanthropologist at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, titled his blog post on the matter: “ How many bathrooms have Neanderthals in the tile? ”

“Every time I am in Home Depot, I go through the travertine tile looking for fossils!” said John W. Kappelman Jr., a paleoanthropologist at the University of Texas at Austin.

Fossils preserved in travertine

Scientists have found a menagerie of ancient fossils embedded in travertine from the Denizli Basin , including remains of mammoths , rhinos , giraffes, horses, deer, reptiles and turtles, according to Alcicek.

Researchers have also found at least one other ancient human in tile. In 2002, Alcicek began studying the formation of travertine in the Denizli Basin. Workers in a tile factory had been cutting stone when they noticed an ancient human fossil, part of a skull . The travertine had been sliced into a slab a little more than an inch thick, so parts of the skull had probably been destroyed — but fragments of the skull cap were recovered.

Alcicek and Kappelman studied the skull fragments, now known as the Kocabas hominin, and found it was the first specimen of Homo erectus to be discovered in Turkey. The skull fragments bore small lesions that were an indicator of tuberculosis, showing evidence of that pathogen in an ancient human. Recent efforts to date the specimen suggest it is more than a million years old .

“Who knows how much of the rest of it from the inferior portion of the cranium on down went unnoticed? We joke that maybe it was a complete skeleton, all the way to the tip of its toes,” Kappelman said in an email. “We literally spent weeks going through the discard pile at the factory looking for any additional bits but no go.”

It’s possible that other parts of the remains went on to be installed in kitchens.

Quarries elsewhere in the world have yielded similar finds. Parts of two hominin skulls and a mandible were discovered during excavations at a quarry in Bilzingsleben, Germany . Hawks said in his blog that they are thought to have been early Neanderthals or a different early human, Homo heidelbergensis .

But how common are incidental finds of ancient human remains in architectural tile?

“It’s twice as common as it was last week!” Hawks said in an email.

Buzz among paleoanthropologists

The latest find created immediate buzz among scientists who study ancient humans. Several paleoanthropologists said it was too tricky to hazard a guess from a photo as to the age or the precise species, but said it was absolutely worth following up on.

“It is clearly a human relative of some kind, but to rule out modern human or find out which ancient population it may belong to will take detailed study,” Hawks said.

Kappelman suggested that follow-up studies could include taking CT scans and 3D-printing the mandible, or perhaps even trying to see if ancient DNA could be recovered. The enamel of the teeth could be scrutinized to learn about what this individual ate.

The dentist who discovered the mandible said that he was inundated with interest from researchers from multiple universities after his Reddit post, and he is working with them now in hopes of learning more about the specimen. He said those researchers have also reached out to the company that sold the travertine to track the batch to the quarry and look for more pieces there.

Hawks said that, in general, if people see what might be human remains in their tile, they should contact local authorities. Laws vary, but in the United States, the process might involve a call to the state archaeologist or historical society.

Alcicek said that after the Homo erectus found in a factory was thoroughly studied, it was given to authorities and is now on exhibit in the Denizli Museum. He expected something similar would happen after the new specimen is carefully examined.

The entire episode is a reminder that construction projects and quarries have what Hawks calls an “ uneasy symbiosis ” with archaeologists. They can both expose and destroy ancient remains.

“The main constraint on finding the fossils is whether the travertine is being quarried!” Hawks wrote in an email.

Too Hot to Handle ’s Harry Jowsey Shares Skin Cancer Diagnosis

Too hot to handle star harry jowsey opened up about being diagnosed with skin cancer after a recent visit to the dermatologist, explaining that it's "very scary.".

Harry Jowsey is getting candid about his personal health journey. 

The Too Hot to Handle  alum shared that he was diagnosed with skin cancer after a recent visit to the doctor led to the discovery of a cancerous mole. 

"There isn't really an easy way to say this," Harry began an  April 26 TikTok video , "but last week, I went to a dermatologist to get my skin checked, and they found some skin cancer on me."

The 26-year-old admitted that he had "no idea" going into the appointment that the mole was cancerous, explaining, "I've had this on my shoulder for, like, a year or two."

And while Harry said the whole experience has been "very scary," he also insisted that he would be "all good," adding, "Everything's going to be OK."

But Harry—who debuted his podcast Boyfriend Material back in February—didn't only share his diagnosis to keep fans updated on his personal life. The Dancing With the Stars  alum also had an important piece of advice to offer in light of the news. 

"I just wanted to make this post to let you know that summer is around the corner," Harry said. "Please wear your sunscreen. Please wear it. Please go get your skin checked. If you're a frecky little frog like me, go get a mole map and get your body checked because you never know."

Afterwards, the Perfect Match star received an outpouring of well-wishes and supportive messages from fans and stars alike.

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"So glad you're okay," his Dancing With the Stars  partner Rylee Arnold commented on the TikTok video. "Sending all the love!!!"

Perfect Match  castmate  Dom Gabriel also offered his support, writing, "Love you brother." 

Ellen DeGeneres Says She Was "Kicked Out of Show Business"

How drew seeley feels about doing zac efron's vocals in og hsm.

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Create and add an email signature in Outlook

In Outlook, you can create one or more personalized signatures for your email messages. Your signature can include text, links, pictures, and images (such as your handwritten signature or a logo).

Note:  If the steps under this New Outlook tab don't work, you may not be using new Outlook for Windows yet. Select Classic Outlook  and follow those steps instead.

Create and add an email signature

On the View tab, select   View Settings . 

Select Accounts > Signatures .

Select    New signature , then give it a distinct name.

In the editing box below the new name, type your signature, then format it with the font, color, and styles to get the appearance you want.

Select Save when you're done.

With your new signature selected from the list above the editing box, go to  Select default signatures and choose whether to apply the signature to new messages and to replies and forwards.

Select Save again.

Note:  If you have a Microsoft account, and you use Outlook and Outlook on the web or Outlook on the web for business, you need to create a signature in both products.

Create your signature and choose when Outlook adds a signature to your messages

If you want to watch how it's done, you can go directly to  the video below .

Open a new email message.

Under Select signature to edit , choose New , and in the New Signature dialog box, type a name for the signature.

Under Edit signature , compose your signature. You can change fonts, font colors, and sizes, as well as text alignment. If you want to create a more robust signature with bullets, tables, or borders, use Word to create and format your signature text, then copy and paste it into the Edit signature box. You can also use a pre-designed template  to create your signature. Download the templates in Word, customize with your personal information, and then copy and paste into the Edit signature box. 

You can add links and images to your email signature, change fonts and colors, and justify the text using the mini formatting bar under Edit signature .

You can also add social media icons and links in your signature or customize one of our pre-designed temlates. For more information, see Create a signature from a template .

To add images to your signature, see Add a logo or image to your signature .

Under Choose default signature , set the following options. 

In the E-mail account drop-down box, choose an email account to associate with the signature. You can have different signatures for each email account.

You can have a signature automatically added to all new messages. Go to in the New messages drop-down box and select one of your signatures. If you don't want to automatically add a signature to new messages, choose (none). This option does not add a signature to any messages you reply to or forward. 

You can select to have your signature automatically appear in reply and forward messages. In the  Replies/forwards drop-down, select one of your signatures. Otherwise, accept the default option of (none). 

Choose OK to save your new signature and return to your message. Outlook doesn't add your new signature to the message you opened in Step 1, even if you chose to apply the signature to all new messages. You'll have to add the signature manually to this one message. All future messages will have the signature added automatically. To add the signature manually, select Signature from the Message menu and then pick the signature you just created.

Add a logo or image to your signature

If you have a company logo or an image to add to your signature, use the following steps.

Open a new message and then select Signature > Signatures .

In the Select signature to edit box, choose the signature you want to add a logo or image to.

To resize your image, right-click the image, then choose Picture . Select the Size tab and use the options to resize your image. To keep the image proportions, make sure to keep the Lock aspect ratio checkbox checked.

When you're done, select OK , then select OK again to save the changes to your signature.

Insert a signature manually

If you don't choose to insert a signature for all new messages or replies and forwards, you can still insert a signature manually.

In your email message, on the Message tab, select Signature .

Choose your signature from the fly-out menu that appears. If you have more than one signature, you can select any of the signatures you've created.

See how it's done

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Note:  Outlook on the web is the web version of Outlook for business users with a work or school account.

Automatically add a signature to a message

You can create an email signature that you can add automatically to all outgoing messages or add manually to specific ones.

Select Settings   at the top of the page.

Select Mail >  Compose and reply .

Under Email signature , type your signature and use the available formatting options to change its appearance.

Select the default signature for new messages and replies.

Manually add your signature to a new message

If you've created a signature but didn't choose to automatically add it to all outgoing messages, you can add it later when you write an email message.

In a new message or reply, type your message.

If you created multiple signatures, choose the signature you want to use for your new message or reply.

When your email message is ready, choose Send .

Note:  Outlook.com is the web version of Outlook for users signing in with a personal Microsoft account such as an Outlook.com or Hotmail.com account.

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New tools from NOAA and CDC show people their risk from heat as another hot summer looms

Federal officials on Monday unveiled a set of tools aimed at helping protect people in the United States from the dangers of extreme heat .

The resources, developed jointly by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, include new color-coded heat forecasts and a public dashboard showing local heat risks and air quality levels. New guidelines were also released for clinicians , instructing them on how to educate patients about coping with heat waves and the health impacts of extreme heat.

The tools are part of a broader government initiative to better prepare the country for heat waves, which are increasing in frequency, intensity and duration as a result of climate change. Officials said these efforts are geared at raising awareness among those who are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat, including seniors, pregnant women, people with asthma, young children and individuals with certain underlying health conditions.

Among the new tools is an experimental system from NOAA called “ HeatRisk ,” which provides a seven-day heat forecast for locations across the contiguous U.S. A numerical and color-coded scale shows users the potential dangers of heat and humidity in their area.

That resource is designed to be used in conjunction with a new dashboard from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which allows people to enter their zip code to see real-time and forecasted heat risks and air quality information.

Together, the tools and guidelines can, for instance, help people identify a location to stay cool if they don’t have working air conditioning, recognize symptoms of heat-related illness or understand how their medications may interact with heat, CDC director Mandy Cohen said Monday in a news briefing.

“Heat can impact our health, but heat-related illness and death are preventable,” Cohen said.

Heat kills more people in the U.S. each year than any other extreme weather event, including floods, hurricanes and tornadoes. Last year was the planet’s warmest on record , and the summer was brutally hot for huge swaths of the U.S., particularly across the South and Southwest.

NOAA officials said they hope the new resources will help communities plan for the upcoming summer months. The agency has said it expects temperatures for much of the U.S. in May and June to be above average, ahead of what is expected to be another hot summer across the country.

“When it comes to heat, it’s never too early to prepare,” NOAA administrator Rick Spinrad said in the briefing.

On NOAA's HeatRisk tool, the scale ranges from 0 or green, meaning little or no risk from expected heat, to 4 or magenta, which indicates extreme and/or long-duration heat-related impacts.

The risk levels account for the projected high and low temperatures, and factor in the cumulative impacts of heat over daytime and nighttime conditions, according to NOAA. The outlooks are designed to be personalized by location, since a 100-degree Fahrenheit day in Miami will feel different from a 100-degree day in Phoenix, for example.

The forecasts also include historical context to help people understand how unusual the projected temperatures will be for any given time of year.

Ken Graham, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service, said the tools could help users plan when to limit time outdoors or put off certain strenuous activities. The idea is to give people more context to supplement the heat watches and warnings that the agency issues, he added.

NOAA said the National Weather Service initially developed a prototype of the HeatRisk tool for California in 2013. In 2017, the project was expanded to include all Western states, and it is now available experimentally across the contiguous U.S.

Members of the public can submit feedback on the tool to the National Weather Service through Sept. 30.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.