7 Questions To Ask The Dentist
So have you been taking full advantage of your time at the dentist? Asking questions is a great way to start being more proactive about dental health. Keep reading for our list of 7 questions to ask the dentist that we’re always hoping patients ask during their dental exams!
How Can I Improve My Dental Health?
Your dentist will not only answer your questions, but they’ll also help you understand how to better care for the teeth and gums. Remembering what was said during this appointment can lead to a lifetime of healthy dental habits! Be sure to ask your dentist for a summary of your overall dental health, how you can better manage daily care, and how else you can improve your oral hygiene. Keep reading.
A few specific questions you can ask the dentist include:
- Am I flossing correctly?
- Am I brushing correctly?
- Can you demonstrate the proper brushing and flossing technique?
- Is the toothbrush and toothpaste I use recommended by you as the best choice for my teeth?
- How do my gums look?
- Are there any teeth that I need to brush better and/or keep a closer eye on?
There are a lot of different questions that dentists need to ask, but at the same time it’s important to mention any problems you’re experiencing. Those issues could be anything from pain or sensitivity in your mouth–to even abnormalities like discolored teeth! One thing I want all my patients know is how catching these early signs can help with successful treatment and lifelong dental health.
In addition to those essential inquiries we always make sure not only have people mentioned their symptoms but also if they’ve noticed anything out of the ordinary too – such as discomfort, tooth decay, sensitive teeth (or other abnormalities). If somebody does report something amiss for them then our dentist will investigate further using more invasive techniques so they can find out what caused this. Keep reading to learn about more questions to ask the dentist.
Is There Anything I Should Discuss With My Family Doctor?
Though our mouths are often overlooked for the health of our body, they can be an indicator to what is happening in other parts. For example, a patient might notice that their mouth has started bleeding when there was no clear cause or injury and this could signify potential problems with their blood cells like leukemia.
Though your oral cavity doesn’t always get much attention from others as you walk past them on the street – it still holds many secrets about how well all aspects of your life are going! For example, certain changes in your mouth can be signs of conditions like:
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Osteoporosis
- Diabetes
- And More!
Gum disease may lead to more serious health problems like heart attacks, stroke and premature birth. So make sure you ask your dentist if there are any dental concerns that need to be brought up with a primary care provider as well as anything the doctor needs know about too!
What Are The Warning Signs of Gum Disease?
1 in 2 adults over the age of 30 have periodontal disease, a condition which can lead to tooth loss and various chronic diseases. If left untreated, gum disease may also cause severe infection. Some signs that you might be suffering from this are bleeding gums or bad breath due to high levels of bacteria on your teeth’s surface.
The majority of people with gum disease haven’t been diagnosed or are not actively seeking treatment, and it is not a disease to be ignored.
While there’s nothing to be ashamed of when your dentist checks for signs of gum disease during a regular exam, it doesn’t hurt to know how you can keep this potentially debilitating condition at bay. Ask questions like “what should I look out for?” and “how do preventative measures work?”. This way, if the worst does happen-you’ll have been prepared.
New and novel treatments for gum disease have been developed, like laser therapy. This new treatment is easy on your pocketbook as it only requires one session to be effective!
Thanks to technological advancements, we now can offer more affordable options such as lasers instead of the expensive option that was previously available- surgery. If you are showing symptoms of gum disease that cannot be ignored any longer then please get in touch with us today to see what our staff would recommend for a suitable solution tailored just right for you.
What Foods Are Good (And Bad) For My Teeth?
Did you know that the foods we eat affect more than just our general body health? They also play a role in dental and gum health! Get more information.
In general, eating a diet rich in protein, leafy greens, and whole fruit is great for your mouth. While sugary sticky acidic drinks can cause cavities – so should be avoided as much as possible while coffee tea or wine will stain teeth if consumed too often.
If you’ve been feeling like your teeth are not looking as good lately, talk to your dentist. They can pinpoint the foods that may be causing a problem and give some advice on how to fix them so it doesn’t get worse!
If you’re noticing more stains or breakage in your mouth recently- don’t fret! Talk with me about what food choices might have contributed and I’ll help point out potential fixes for this issue before things get too bad.
Keep in mind that there are a lot of options for teeth whitening on the market, but many over-the-counter kits can cause tooth sensitivity and damage to your teeth. Your dentist may prescribe you a professional treatment that will give you an attractive smile!
When Should Dental Implants Be Considered?
You’re probably well aware that your teeth are essential to the healthy functioning of your jaw and mouth. But what you might not know is dental implants can help replace missing or damaged teeth for a more complete smile, with many benefits including:
- A feeling as if they were real
- Access to better oral care such as tooth whitening
- Preserve bone structure in the upper area by avoiding unnecessary wear
Dental implants are the best way to replace and restore missing or damaged teeth. Not only will they bring back your natural smile, but a titanium dental implant is also an excellent investment because it’s built with long-lasting materials that won’t cause future damage like other options can do in time. Check out our office for more information on how we offer CEREC technology here!
Will You Conduct An Oral Cancer Screening?
Oral cancer can be a life-threatening disease, but now dentists are using modern technology to better screen their patients. Dentists have the capability of scanning teeth with laser and ultrasound machines that cannot only detect oral cancers early on before they spread throughout the body; these techniques also allow for more accurate diagnosis than traditional screenings where doctors were limited by what was visible through sight alone.
Dentist’s use lasers and ultrasounds as well as other tools in order to scan your mouth without having physical contact which means it is easier for them diagnose any potential problem areas or possibly harmful conditions like oral cancer earlier when treatments are most effective.
Here at Dean Street Dental, we use a minimally-invasive and highly thorough tool that allows us to accurately identify oral cancer or precancerous growth early on. The process takes just a few minutes and is completely painless, and is included with every visit.
Have Questions? We’d Love to Answer Them!
It is vital that you take an active role in your dental health! It’s not just about brushing twice a day. Make sure to ask questions and get valuable advice from our team of St. Charles dentists so we can provide proactive, integrative care for all your needs. For a beautiful, healthy smile that lasts for years to come, it’s time you started taking an active role in your dental care.
We are committed to not only helping patients maintain good oral hygiene but also providing them with integrative and proactive care so they can have the most comfortable experience possible. If you haven’t been seen by our team within six months or even longer than that – make sure and set up an appointment today!