Posted on 06/04/2018
One of the best things that you can do to feel more comfortable at your dental appointment is by asking questions, so you can gain a better understanding of your oral health and what you need to maintain a healthy smile that will last a lifetime. Here at Main Line Center for Dental Excellence in Narberth, PA, our doctors and dental staff always encourage our patients to ask any questions that they can think of, and we will always provide the answers that you need. However, sometimes the challenge can be coming up with the right questions to ask that will actually help make sense of your dental care. To make things easier for you, check out this list for the top 10 important questions that you should ask your dentist.
HOW IS MY ORAL HEALTH?
While your dentist will typically already provide you with a general status update in regard to the health of your smile, they may try to keep things short and to the point to be considerate of your time and keep your appointment as efficient as possible. However, if you have the time to spare at your appointment, you should ask your dentist to elaborate on your current oral health and what they see, which can give you more insight into what kind of potential issues are affecting your smile, why they’re happening, and what can be done to counteract them.
HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY AT-HOME ORAL HYGIENE ROUTINE
A great oral hygiene routine is essential at maintaining a radiant, healthy smile. Unfortunately, many people make simple mistakes when brushing, flossing, or rinsing that prevent their smile from being as healthy as it could be. Whenever your dentists spots an oral health issues during your check up, such as a cavity or some early signs of gum disease, they can usually discern the causes and determine if your oral hygiene care was to blame. To make sure you’re keeping your smile protected when you’re at home, ask your dentist for some advice on how you can improve your oral hygiene routine, from tricks for cleaning those hard to reach areas to changing your type of toothbrush or toothpaste.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY DENTAL VISITS BE?
The American Dental Association recommends that you see your dentist at least once every six months for a standard check up and dental cleaning. More frequent dental cleanings are sometimes recommended if a patient is suffering from certain oral health issues. These additional cleaning and examinations also allow us to keep a closer watch over the progress of the condition to ensure the appropriate treatment is provided.
HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY DIET TO PROTECT MY SMILE?
Did you know that what you eat could have a significant effect on your smile? Things like sugary snacks will increase the rate of tooth decay and put your smile at risk.
SHOULD I SEE AN ORTHODONTIST?
While a dentist who offers general and cosmetic dental care can provide treatments for a variety of dental conditions, from tooth decay and gum disease to cosmetic issues like tooth staining or missing teeth. However, if a patient has a misaligned jaw or teeth, it may be recommended that they see an orthodontist, who is a specialist at providing treatment to fix those issues. Ask your dentist if seeing an orthodontist could be a good idea for you!
WHY IS MY DENTAL TREATMENT IN THIS ORDER?
To ensure that you get the best smile possible, your dentist will often suggest different types of treatment that will be split up into steps, fixing various issues one after the other to improve the health and appearance of your smile. But if you’re wondering why those treatments are in that order, such as why you have to get a dental implant before you get your custom crown, just ask your dentist and they’ll be happy to explain. Often times, fixing certain oral health issues can improve the effectiveness of future treatments, while some cases may have certain conditions that need to be met before a certain type of treatment is even possible.
DO I NEED NEW X-RAYS TAKEN?
We don’t have a While we try and limit how often x-rays are taken, some cases may require x-rays to be taken more often, such as those who are at a higher risk of developing tooth decay or other oral health issues More frequent x-rays allows the dentist to track the progress of various conditions or the effectiveness of treatment. Ask your dentist if you are at greater risk for dental problems, so you’re not caught off guard if you need to take new sets of x-rays more frequently.
WHAT KIND OF TOOTHBRUSH SHOULD I USE?
Brushing your teeth is the core of your oral hygiene routine, and the tools that you use for the job can make a big difference in terms of your oral health. Ask your dentist for some guidance on what kind of toothbrush and toothpaste will help you keep your smile as healthy as possible.
SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT WITH US TODAY!
For over 40 years, our team here at Main LIne Center for Dental Excellence has provided superior general, cosmetic, and restorative dental treatment to Narberth, PA and the surrounding communities. If you have any questions about your dental care, the treatments that we offer at our practice, or would like to schedule an appointment with us for your first visit and consultation, just contact us! A member of our staff will be able to help you and provide you with the information you need. We look forward to seeing you in our office soon!