5 Vital Questions To Ask Your Dentist At Your Next Cleaning
Healthy teeth don’t happen overnight. In fact, they don’t even happen on their own at all. Maintaining a healthy smile takes daily effort and six-month check-up cleanings at your local dentistry!
If you’re looking to see immediate changes to your oral hygiene as well as your overall dental health, we suggest making an appointment with us for your next cleaning as soon as possible.
When you arrive at your next cleaning, it’s important that these five good questions to ask your dentist to ensure you’re well aware of an effective treatment plan.
Questions to Ask Before Cleaning
What should I be doing at home to improve my dental health?
It all begins with brushing and flossing daily, but there are other steps you can take that include:
- Eating a balanced diet which focuses on vegetables and fruits.
- Using a fluoride mouthwash.
- Consuming fewer high-sugar snacks.
- Steering clear of all types of tobacco.
Implementing the above suggestions in your everyday life may be challenging at first, but they’re important for your oral health! Please consider them. Anyone looking to optimize their oral health should try this daily regimen!
Why are you taking those X-rays?
It’s common for your dentist to take X-rays when you first become a patient, and then at set intervals, monitor your dental health. Having bitewing X-rays taken once a year and a full mouth series every four years should suffice for most adults. With that being said, there are high-risk patients who will require more frequent X-rays. Let your dentist advise you what is best!
Why are my teeth so sensitive?
Tooth sensitivity is a problem for many people. The pain you feel when drinking hot or cold beverages results from thinned tooth enamel. Without enamel, there’s nothing to protect the nerves inside your teeth!
The result is mild to extreme discomfort and can be due to:
- Excessive teeth whitening
- Tooth filling
- Fractured tooth
- Grinding your teeth while you sleep
- Receding gum
During your exam, list some questions to ask your dentist while examine your smile to identify what’s causing you discomfort. Your dentist will be able to recommend an appropriate solution.
How can I make my teeth whiter and/or get rid of these stains?
Never underestimate the power of a beautiful pearly white smile! Frequent culprits of tooth stains include wine, coffee, and tobacco. For many of us, excluding these stain-causing foods and drinks from our lives is not an option! Instead, try limiting their frequency. Brushing after you consume these particular items will also help.
Additionally, be sure to ask your dentist about at-home options, as well as their professional services to get that white smile back!
Is there any information I should share with my doctor?
It makes sense to keep your doctor in-the-know. Bad oral hygiene can cause root canals or gum disease, which in turn has been linked to heart disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes! Make sure to relay any pertinent information you need to your primary care physician.
Are you in need of a Tampa Dentist? Contact North Pointe Dental Associates to schedule your appointment!
