7 Important Questions to Ask During Your Next Dentist Visit

Don’t forget to visit the dentist each year! Unfortunately, only 64.9% of adults have scheduled a dentist visit in the past year. Meanwhile, nearly 26% of adults have untreated cavities.

Skipping dental visits could impact your oral health. Bacteria could spread, impacting your overall health as well.

Instead of putting your health and quality of life at risk, visit the dentist! Learn more about your oral health by asking these questions, too. Knowing what to ask your dentist could help you protect your stunning smile.

You can learn about the precautions you need to take and dental services you might need.

Otherwise, small issues with your oral health could lead to serious complications in the future.

Don’t put your health at risk! Instead, learn what to ask your dentist with this helpful guide today.

1. How Can We Improve My Oral Health?

During your next dentist visit, your dentist will assess your teeth and oral health. Make sure to mention any symptoms or issues you’ve experienced recently. Otherwise, ask them for tips.

The best dentist will spot any issue areas you’re neglecting.

For example, they might notice there’s an excessive amount of plaque on the surface or between your teeth.

Plaque is a sticky, clear substance that can impact your oral health. You can clear plaque away using a toothbrush. Unfortunately, plaque can harden into tartar when left unattended.

You’ll need to visit a dentist to have the tartar professionally cleaned away.

Plaque could hide away in hard-to-reach places like your back teeth or between your teeth.

When left unattended, plaque and tartar can increase your risk of gum disease or cavities. Before that can happen, visit the dentist. Ask if they can recommend ways to avoid plaque formation in the future.

For example, your dentist might recommend you start using a different type of toothpaste. They might suggest you use products that contain fluoride, too.

Otherwise, they might suggest you start using an electric toothbrush to clean plaque away.

2. What’s Causing My Pain Symptoms?

Remember, it’s important to let your dentist know about any symptoms or issues you’re experiencing. If you’ve experienced discomfort or pain, let them know. Tell them if the pain is impacting your teeth, gums, or jaw, too.

During the appointment, your dentist will assess the state of your teeth. Their visual examination can help them pinpoint the root cause of your symptoms.

For example, it’s possible you damaged one of your teeth. If you’re experiencing jaw pain, it’s possible you’re grinding your teeth (bruxism). If the pain is impacting your gums, you might have gum disease.

Visiting a dentist each year will help you start treatment for these issues before they become bigger problems.

Let your dentist know when the pain occurs, too. For example, you might find your teeth are more sensitive when you brush or floss. Perhaps drinking/eating cold or hot foods/beverages causes your pain.

The best dentist will help you find an ideal treatment option based on your needs.

3. Do I Need Teeth Whitening Services?

Are you a heavy tea or coffee drinker? Certain foods and beverages can stain your teeth. If your teeth look discolored or yellow, talk to your dentist about cosmetic treatment.

During your dentist visit, ask your dentist about the additional services they offer. They might help you determine which treatments can benefit your oral health.

Let them know about any specific concerns you have. For example, you might not like the appearance of your teeth. You’re not the only one.

About half of America feels insecure about their smiles.

Ask your dentist if they can recommend orthodontic or cosmetic dental treatments. They might suggest traditional metal braces or Invisalign treatment. These services can close the gaps between your teeth and straighten your smile.

If you’re missing a tooth, they might recommend dental implants instead.

For broken or chipped teeth, they might suggest crowns.

Scheduling an appointment with the best dentist in town can help you determine which services will accomplish your goals. Then, you can improve the appearance of your smile. Improving your smile can benefit your oral health and self-confidence.

4. Do I Have Alignment Problems?

Bite down on your teeth. If your teeth don’t seem aligned, ask your dentist if you’ve developed alignment issues. You might want to talk to them if some teeth appear crooked, too.

An alignment issue can impact your ability to chew and digest foods. You could develop digestive issues as a result.

Gaps between your teeth can leave you more susceptible to gingivitis or other issues, too.

If you have an alignment issue, your dentist might recommend Invisalign or traditional metal braces. The treatment they recommend can vary depending on the severity of your bite issues.

5. What Symptoms Should I Watch For?

During your visit with a new dentist, make sure to discuss your family’s medical history. Let them know about any oral health issues your parents have experienced. Your family history could put you at risk for specific oral health issues.

If you’re at risk of a specific condition, ask the dentist what symptoms you should track. Knowing what symptoms to track can help you seek treatment right away.

Remember, seeking immediate help can help you avoid other complications in the future.

Otherwise, read these dental health articles to better recognize your symptoms.

6. Am I At Risk of Gingivitis?

Tartar can increase your risk of gum disease, which can impact the state of your smile. Ask your dentist if they notice early signs of gingivitis. Otherwise, you might experience symptoms like bad breath, sensitivity, or receding gums.

Your teeth might feel loose, too.

If you experience these symptoms of gingivitis, let your dentist know right away.

7. Do I Need Appointments More Often?

Your dentist might determine you need to visit more often based on the symptoms you’re experiencing. Ask how often you need to schedule visits. Regular check-ups can help you treat any conditions before they progress.

Healthy Smiles: 7 Questions to Ask During Your Next Dentist Visit

Take the time to prepare yourself before your next dentist visit. Asking these questions can help you learn more about your oral health. Then, you can seek treatment or take the necessary precautions to protect your smile.

Get ready for your next visit with these tips today.

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