I've never been to the dentist and i'm 16 years old..?!

I've never been to the dentist and i'm 16 years old..?

my mom never took me to the dentist because she has a big phobia of it and now the phobia's on me. i'm finally going to tomorrow and i'm kinda scared.. should i be scared or will it be alright? i need some encouragement and advice!

There is no reason for you to be afraid of seeing your dentist, even after all this time. It's never too late to begin dental care to ensure that you have a beautiful smile with healthy teeth and gums that will be with you for the rest of your life.

Tomorrow will consist of a consultation, an examination, x rays and perhaps a cleaning, depending on what your appointment was scheduled for.

Cleaning your teeth does not hurt and it helps us to determine the condition of your teeth, bone and tissue just below the gum line. The x rays these days are so much easier due to digital equipment and technology, you will be able to see your teeth and bones with any defects or decay areas being visible to you on the computer screen. It's good that you are going to the dentist now so you can be sure to take care of the small problems before they become big problems. Those big problems are the ones that many patients "create" phobias from. You won't have anything done without it being discussed thoroughly with you and your parent before the work is done, in most cases the procedure will be scheduled at a later date. Relax and listen to the advice they give you and ask any question that you may have about your dental health.

Now is the time for you to build a lasting relationship with your dentist and his dental team, they are there to work with you, helping you to maintain healthy teeth for many years to come. Good luck!