Your Dental team is a great resource when it comes to your oral care. Regular exams are not limited to just checking your teeth and filling cavities. They are a wealth of knowledge and invite you to ask questions about how you can look after your teeth.
9 Questions to Ask Your Dentist at Your Check-Up
There are some key and simple questions you should be asking at your next appointment.
A well-educated patient leads to better care and prevention of issues and a stronger team in the event treatment is needed. When it comes to a great Mississauga Dentist, Bristol Dental has your smile covered.
1. Home Care Routine: The Brush Rush
We all know we need to brush our teeth, but are we using the right toothbrush and toothpaste for our teeth? Our lifestyles and the variety of foods mean that some people’s teeth will be weaker or stronger than others.
Some people will need a hard bristle brush, while others may need a softer one. Your dental team will be able to assess the quality of the enamel of your teeth and recommend the best brush for you.
Not all kinds of toothpaste are the same, so again, your dentist can recommend the best one to help with sensitivity, whitening or the best one for your mouth.
Flossing is a common issue that people have faced. Your dental team can review techniques with you and recommend the best flossing tool to help you. Care and prevention start at home, so the more information and guidance you have will help you.
2. Keep Decay At Bay
Knowing if you are at high risk for things like Gingivitis, Gum Recession, or Tooth Decay will help you to work with the team to reduce your risk or fight them off. Your dentist can show you images of healthy vs. unhealthy mouths, teeth, and gums.
At the same time, they can check your mouth and spot developing issues faster.
You can also discuss minor lifestyle changes, which can help lessen or prevent these issues, such as avoiding certain foods and drinks and cutting back on smoking or vaping.
3. Why So Sensitive?
Sensitivity to hot or cold food and drinks is not much fun. This discomfort indicates that there could be a more serious issue developing. They are often caused by small holes in the enamel allowing things to reach the nerve in the centre of the tooth or cavities and gum disease.
Knowing how things reach the nerve and pulp inside the tooth will allow your dentist to recommend the best prevention and treatment. A change in toothpaste is better than that of a filling.
4. Rinse and Swish
You already brush twice daily and floss, but should you add mouthwash to your routine? And if so, what is the best one for you?
This third step in your home care routine works alongside brushing and flossing and helps to promote and boost the health of your mouth and teeth. Not to be used as a replacement for anything, but as an addition, mouthwash could be the final power booster in your home care arsenal.
5. Doctor… Doctor…
As your dentist looks around your mouth, they can see much more than cavities and fillings. They can also see any other issues that may need further investigation and, therefore, will require a follow-up with your family doctor, such as unusual shapes or swellings of lymph nodes or skin breaks requiring antibiotics or biopsies.
While this seems a lot, it’s best to know and address the issue before it worsens.
6. Brace Yourself…
Your dentist will go over with you anything they find, but it’s always a great idea to ask about your overall health. Are there things you need to avoid, improve or watch for?
Everything may be healthy and looking great. Knowing your mouth’s health will help you keep it that way or enhance it with minor improvements to your home care routine.
Knowing if any issues are developing will also help you and your team plan for treatment if required. This could be through payment plans or preapproval from your insurance company.
7. X-ray Vision
X-rays allow your dental team to see any issues inside the tooth. X-rays are taken at your first visit, and unless you are at high risk for any tooth-related disease, repeated X-Rays can be done every 18 – 24 months.
A Biteview should be done every couple of years as this allows the team to see any changes in the position of the teeth and jaw, even subtle changes.
8. Rootin’ For Your Smile
If you have concerns about your teeth, how they look, or anything in your family history that could affect your smile, now is a great time to ask about additional treatments.
Would teeth whitening be appropriate, or are veneers necessary? Are your teeth becoming weaker, and could they benefit from a fluoride application or another strengthening treatment?
Your dentist can make recommendations based on your concerns and what is necessary to keep your smile bright and increase your confidence.
9. Kidz N’ Teeth
Every new parent has questions and concerns about their kids’ teeth. Now is a great time to ask questions and get the information you need to help your little ones start on the road to excellent dental care.
At what age should they start seeing a dentist? How can you help them to brush their teeth properly? Flossing techniques and what happens when a baby’s tooth falls out are excellent and encouraging questions.
The Magic Is in the Smile
Bristol Dental is your Mississauga dental team, ready to answer all questions.
Call today at 1-866-673-2109 or book an appointment today online.
