Essential Questions to Ask the Dentist
A visit to the dentist should be more than about just getting the treatment for the current problem. You can utilize this time to ask your dentist some important questions related to your teeth, gums, and overall oral health.
Here are some essential questions to ask your dentist.
What is the state of my dental health?
There are chances that if you don’t ask the questions, your dentist might also simply perform a procedure or offer the treatment without discussing anything else other than the current problem at hand.
When patients are proactive about their oral health and ask questions about it to their dentists, they may receive good health recommendations as well as proper information about the state of their dental health. For instance, you may have the best dentist McLean VA. But if you are not open to discussing about your oral health then even the most experienced dentist won’t likely discuss about your dental health in detail. They might offer you the best treatment. But if you are not interested in knowing more about the state of your dental health, they can’t force the information on you.
Is there anything about my diet that I need to change to improve my oral health?
The kind of diet you eat impacts your oral health a great deal. If you are unsure whether your diet could be adversely affecting the healthy state of your teeth and gums then you should discuss the same with your dentist.
If you consume sugary drinks often then you may want to know the maximum amount you can drink without affecting your dental health. You may want to know the best natural foods to eat to improve your oral health.
Your dentist can also tell if you are over-indulging in coffee, tea, or tobacco by the yellowing of your teeth. An open discussion with your dentist on the diet for the right oral health can lead you to find the necessary information about it.
Do you see any symptoms inside my mouth that should be a concern for my overall health?
Teeth and gums reveal a lot about the overall state of a person’s health. Often, symptoms of nutrition deficiency and diseases first appear inside the mouth.
Signs of certain vitamin deficiency can be quite apparent to your dentist. Your dentist can also identify signs of acid reflux, untreated diabetes, certain blood disorders, and more from the state of your gums and overall dental health.
Infections in the gums can affect your heart health. The germs from the mouth can reach the heart via the bloodstream.
If you experience any pain or discomfort in your gums then you can even specifically ask your dentist about it. It can be a sign of some underlying disease.
Are there any special oral care products that I should use?
There are tons of dental products in the market today. From different types of toothpastes to countless varieties of toothbrushes, mouthwashes, and even flosses; the choice for consumers is overwhelming.
Often, you can end up buying expensive but useless products that do nothing good for your dental health. Your dentist can offer the right recommendations and even give you samples of new products to try.
What habits should I employ for avoiding bad breath?
Your dentist is your doctor. You should feel comfortable when talking to your dentist about uncomfortable topics. If you are bothered by bad breath or wish to avoid it then feel free to ask your dental care McLean professionals about the habit to employ for it.
Often, bad breath can be a sign of some underlying health problem or poor digestion. If your digestive system is not in good health then it can negatively impact your breath. Use of certain medicines can also cause bad breath. If you ask your emergency dentist about it then you might come to know which medicines to avoid (and alternate recommendations) for keeping your breath smelling fresh always. If you frequently suffer from bad breath then your dentist can recommend the appropriate treatment to undertake to permanently cure the problem.