On your first visit to the dentist make sure to ask some common dental questions.
Getting answers to these questions will help you understand how to approach your oral health and get help when you need it.
Wondering what questions you should be asking? This article is here to help!
Keep reading below to know what question you should be approaching your dentist with so that you can maintain your oral health properly.
How Can I Practice Oral Hygiene at Home?
If you’ve been to the dentist first time in your life after living several years, there is a chance your teeth are not in their best condition.
If you regularly visit a dentist for scaling and teeth cleaning then your teeth will be in good condition while you are maintaining oral hygiene. This means that there will be fewer teeth with decay and cavities and you can also maintain their good condition at home.
It is absolutely necessary that you brush your teeth twice a day and floss between your teeth at least once.
These will keep your teeth healthy after getting scaling and cleaning done.
Plus, they prevent the accumulation of bacteria and the onset of other oral health diseases.
Besides, your doctor will encourage you to add a few other oral hygiene products to your routine.
These include:
- brushing with fluoride toothpaste to prevent tooth sensitivity and strengthen the enamel
- use an interdental brush or a water flosser occasionally
- snack smarter, do not go for sugary treats often
- drink lots of water
- avoid tobacco products such as chewing tobacco and cigarette
- eat more fruits and vegetables that are healthy for oral and overall health
Now that you have asked one of the most common dental questions, let’s find out what other ones you can ask for specific problems.
Common Dental Questions for Oral Health Problems
Why is my mouth usually dry?
A dry mouth is often a side effect of medications for blood pressure and heart.
Thus, it is more likely to occur in people who are older.
It happens when your salivary gland does not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth lubricated.
Hence, it dries down giving way to bacteria to invade your teeth.
This can cause dental problems such as tooth decay. Therefore, if you have dry mouth, discuss that with your doctor and probably look into alternatives.
Your dentist will recommend you to take care of your oral hygiene if you suffer from a dry mouth and keep the saliva flowing by chewing gum and drinking water.
Why are my teeth sensitive and how to treat sensitivity?
Do your teeth suddenly hurt while eating or drinking something sweet, spicy, cold or hot?
Odds are that is because your teeth are already sensitive. Sensitivity emerges from the enamel weakening.
The culprits are acidity and extreme temperatures that thin out the enamel leaving your teeth in pain whenever you eat or drink something hot and cold.
It can also result from teeth grinding, teeth whitening, receding gums, fillings and chipped teeth.
For that, your doctor may recommend you use fluoride toothpaste to fight sensitivity. While also treating what’s causing it such as decay and teeth grinding.
What signs indicate a dental problem?
Look out for these signs of serious dental trouble:
- Jaw pain
- Dry Mouth
- Broken teeth
- Bad breath
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Tooth Sensitivity
- Mouth sores
- Bleeding gums
- Swollen gums
- Redness
Go to your doctor before it is late and get checked to prevent the spread of infection or disease.
The later you get checked, the bigger the problem gets.
Let’s move on to other questions.
Common Dental Questions Regarding Checkups
How many times should I get a Professional Cleaning?
Set a visit to your dental clinic after every 6 months.
During your visit, your dentist will proceed to give you a standard professional tooth cleaning, provided there are no other problems.
For instance, people suffering from gum disease or tooth decay will have to go to the clinic after every 3 months rather than 6 months.
This way, your dentist will be able to track your progress and also check-in time.
Going every 6 months will keep your teeth clean as well and prevent any future oral health problems.
If any has started, your dentist can begin treating it right away.
Will I need a Dental X-ray?
While your dentist will carry out an oral examination, they will also take a full set of X-rays once or if your condition requires, during each appointment.
This helps them to gather the changes that are occurring between appointments. For example, if you are getting braces, there will be a significant change in your teeth alignment as the treatment proceeds.
X-rays help dentists to monitor it more accurately.
You will get bitewing X-rays each year whereas a full mouth can be done every 4 to 5 years.
That again depends on the condition. If you are suffering from cavities, your dentist may recommend taking one after 6 months.
When Should My Child Get a Dental Checkup?
Little ones are eligible to visit the dentist by the time it has been six months since their first tooth erupted.
This is usually around their first birthday.
Visiting the dentist this early can guide parents about how to keep their child’s oral health in good condition.
It can also ensure that their permanent teeth erupt in place and that the dentist detects any problems before they get out of hands.
Getting Treatments
How Should I Whiten My Teeth?
The best way to get teeth whitening is to go to a dental clinic.
While you may come across several remedies, not all are beneficial in whitening.
In fact, some can even worsen the state of your enamel and teeth color.
Your doctor can recommend you some over-the-counter kits or can make take-home kits that fit the structure of your teeth.
This will help in the teeth whitening gel reaching all of your teeth accurately.
However, if you want long-lasting results then get professional teeth whitening from your dentist.
Asking this question will also help in identifying if any of the home remedies are detrimental to your oral health.
How to Fix Teeth?
Depending on the issue, you can fix alignment problems with braces and Invisalign whereas you can fix defects with crowns and veneers.
A crown can cover the entire tooth that has the problem.
It looks like a real tooth by building on the root and tooth base to cement to it.
Moreover, veneers can attach a whiter material i.e. porcelain or resin on the surface of your teeth.
This improves any imperfections and gives your smile a natural look.
When Should I Get Dental Implants?
Do you have missing or weak teeth?
In that case, your dentist may recommend you get dental implants rather than dentures or tooth extraction.
Usually, older patients get implants because they can prevent similar problems in other teeth.
How to Prevent Gum Disease?
Gum disease is very common, Hence, asking your doctor about it is necessary.
They can guide about the difference between healthy and unhealthy gums.
Also, they can point out symptoms and your risk of getting it.
Prevention is always better so you can identify when to get treatment.
Useful Common Dental Questions
What kind of Toothpaste or Toothbrush should I go for?
The kind of toothpaste you use depends on your needs. For instance, many will give you a fresher breath however, there are specific ones for sensitivity and whitening.
For tooth sensitivity issues you may want to check out toothpaste with fluoride. Similarly for whitening, those containing baking soda and other abrasives may slightly help.
Regarding toothbrushes, choosing one with soft bristles is absolutely necessary. Hard-bristled brushes are harsher on your teeth, hence, you should only use those with a soft bristle.
When Do Baby Teeth Erupt and Fall off?
If this is your first child and their very first visit to the dentist, it is important to know when their baby teeth will start to erupt and fall off.
The good news is you don’t have to worry about their teeth falling off till they are six years old. However, baby teeth eruptions will keep happening by they are 2 years old.
Therefore, you should be aware of how to take care of your little one’s teeth so that they do not get dental caries.
Finally,
There are plenty of common dental questions that you can ask your dentist.
Besides this, ask about:
- any of the symptoms you are feeling and seeing such as pain or discoloration
- what kind of food and drinks are bad for your teeth
- what you should be eating instead
- will a mouthwash help in oral hygiene
- is flossing and using fluoride necessary
- why do you need dental exam
Asking these questions and getting answers will build trust in the patient-doctor relationship.
Moreover, you will be more informed about your oral health to take good care of it.
Hence, whenever, you have your next appointment don’t forget to ask these common dental questions.
