How to Convince Your Partner to Go to the Dentist
July 16, 2026
Your partner works hard to care for you and your family, always putting everyone else ahead of themself. But what happens when it’s them that needs the assistance? Whether they have a painful toothache, bleeding gums, or just haven’t had a dental exam and cleaning in a while, if your significant other is avoiding the dentist, here’s how to convince them to prioritize their self-care and go!
Make a Deal
Convincing a stubborn partner to make a dental appointment can often be an exercise in futility- especially if they’re already busy. There’s always something else that needs their attention, followed by a promise to take care of it later. If this sounds familiar, perhaps instead of encouraging them to take the initiative on their own, you could try offering to make the appointment for them. That way, they won’t need to find the time to call and can just show up when they’re supposed to! You can even handle all the registration paperwork for them, so they will be ready to roll the moment they sit down in the dental chair!
Show Them the Money
Sometimes, people avoid going to the dentist because they’re afraid of the cost of treatment. If your significant other is worried about the impact on their wallet, remind your them that they’re already paying for dental insurance, so not going is actually wasting money, not saving it. Similarly, if they’re anxious about the cost of a restorative treatment, remind them that the price is only going to increase the longer they wait to deal with it!
Appeal to Their Senses
Another common reason people avoid visiting the dentist is out of fear of bad news or pain. However, because teeth aren’t self-healing and gum disease doesn’t go away on its own, the longer you wait to care for an oral health problem, the more painful it is likely to get. This means that when you finally do deal with it, not only will the treatment be more invasive, but it will also be more expensive and may even have a longer recovery period! In fact, what may have been easily corrected with a simple filling could eventually require a tooth extraction or turn into a potentially life-threatening infection if not addressed promptly!
Get Emotionally Involved
Finally, it’s important to remind your partner that you and your family care about their wellbeing, and want them to live a long, healthy life. However, if they don’t take care of their oral health, it could result in a variety of painful conditions including gum disease, tooth infection, or permanent tooth loss, all of which could contribute to life-threatening illnesses like diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Hopefully, if all else fails, tugging at those proverbial heart strings will motivate them to take the initiative to get into the dental chair and take care of themself for a change!
Remember, there are many reasons why your partner may be avoiding going to the dentist, but maintaining their oral health is vitally important for living a long, healthy life. So, don’t let them keep making excuses to skip out on their smile. With these tips (and a little encouragement) you can help them finally see the value of self-care and protect their smile for a lifetime!
About Our Practice
At McComb Family Dental, we know how hard it can be to convince a loved one that they should prioritize their own health. If your partner has been avoiding the dental chair, remind them of all the benefits of protecting their smile, and direct them to our comfort menu to help ease their mind. We even have nitrous oxide to help them relax if they’re interested! To schedule a visit for you or someone you love, visit our website or call us today at 419-293-2335.
