Some people put off going to their primary care physician until they are very sick or think something is really wrong. However, even more people put off going to the dentist until they are in extreme pain of have a serious injury to their teeth. Whether it is due to no dental insurance or fear due to the sounds you hear when the dentist is working on your mouth, the fact is people just do not practice the best oral hygiene practices. If you are one of these people, it is time to figure out a way to start seeing your dentist every 6 months, even when you do not feel any pain. Here are a few things that may help.

Financial Issues:

Dental Discount Programs

If you do not have dental insurance and the reason you do not see your dentist regularly is finances, you could look into a dental discount program. Every month you pay a small fee, and you receive a decent discount on all dental work you have done.  It does not cost as much as dental insurance, and will not cover as much, but it is a good starting point.

Regular Payments

If you have seen your dentist on a semi-regular basis, you may be able to talk with the front desk and make an arrangement to make payments each month instead of paying for the whole bill at once. It is also possible to start making small payments before you have regular checkups so you won't have to worry about it when you show up for the appointment.

Fear Issues:

Simple Visit

One way to ease some of the fear of going to the dentist is to ask for a simple visit and tour. You will go to the office, sit in the dental chair, and talk with the hygienist and dentist briefly. This is a good way to become comfortable with the place and people. 

Headphones

If the fear you experience is due to the sounds in your head from the tools the dentist uses, be sure to take some headphones or ear-pods with you and listen to some music. Many dental offices have WI-Fi you can connect to so you can play your own music. You may want to bring an eye mask too, so you cannot anticipate the noise when you see the different instruments going into your mouth.

No matter what the reason, skipping out on regular dentist visits can be very bad for your overall health. Don't wait until you are in pain and want to rip a tooth out on your own. See  your dentist regularly and you reduce the risk of pain in the future.