When we think about issues regarding our health, we often don’t think about our teeth. However, maintaining our oral health is key to preventing serious complications in the future. Frequent visits to the dentist can be very beneficial to your overall oral health, along with establishing an open line of communication with your dentist. Speaking freely with your dentist about your concerns and how you can improve is always helpful.
Here are three questions to ask when visiting the dentist and why you should ask them:
When asking this question, it is important to remember that everyone’s mouth is different. Some might have to do less, while others will have to do a lot more. Your dentist will give you information on what to do, specific to you. Some might have you brush or floss more, and who knows, they might even recommend that you use a different toothbrush. There is a lot more that goes into maintaining your oral health than one might think. If you feel a little uncomfortable asking your dentist this question, don’t! Just as one would speak with a doctor about health concerns, you should also feel comfortable doing so with your dentist.
Like we said before, each mouth is different, meaning each mouth is going to have different problems. Some might grind their teeth and others might be self-conscious of bad breath. Either way, your dentist isn’t a mind reader. When you ask what you can do to improve or fix these things your dentist will be able to help you more effectively. It’s important to express your concerns and work together as a team in order to achieve your goal. Especially when you are experiencing pain or discomfort, this will help your dentist understand what is going on and hopefully prevent future problems.
Just as you get general health updates, it is important to not only know, but understand the status of your oral health. When asked, a dentist can perform a general exam of your mouth area, searching for lumps or anything else that might not belong. This can include gauging bone density and checking for unintentional wear due to teeth grinding. This just ensures that everything is functioning properly and is all preventative. If they find something of concern you can then begin to discuss proper treatment options along with suggestions to further prevent more damage.
Whether it’s something or nothing, it is always better to be on the same page with any of your healthcare providers. Talking with them about concerns or questions helps your dentist to better do their job and help you in the long run. Many diseases and health issues can stem from the mouth and neck area, so if you have any concerns please share them with your dentist. Always better safe than sorry! An open line of communication will help us to build a better relationship with all of our patients.