Things to Tell Your Dentist At Your Next Appointment
Six months is a long time to go without talking to someone, especially if that someone is your dentist. Recent studies prove that your dental health is connected to your overall health so your connection with your dentist is more important than you thought. This is why it’s so important to establish a trust with your dentist. A dental professional will be able to provide better care for their patients only if the channels of communication remain open and honest. This doesn’t mean you need to talk to them about your love life. But, it does mean you should clue them in on topics that have an effect on your oral health.
Want your pearly whites to stay healthy? Keep reading to see what you should be telling your dentist at your next appointment.
Status Update
Each time you visit your dentist office you should let them know how things are going. If you’ve had any health issues since you last saw them, you probably want to ask if it will affect your oral health in any way. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to tell them issues you are currently dealing with. Not only does you dentist care about your teeth, but they also care about your well-being. Items that should be included are sensitivity, pain, odor, build-up changes, color changes and bleeding. If you aren’t sure, ask about it anyway. The more information they have, the better they will be to uncover the root of the issue.
Diet
Clue your dentist in about your diet, as certain foods and drink can have a great effect on your teeth. You may be eating food that is healthy for you but is damaging to your teeth. While we all want to eat healthy, there are those times where an ice cream craving kicks in. Relax; your dentist will keep your sweet tooth a secret. What we consume, and the way it’s consumed, has an impact on our dental health.
Dental Tools
A common dental hygiene practice that you may sometimes forget is to floss. Your dentist is somewhat of a detective. They’ll be able to tell how much or how little you’re flossing. Be sure to talk to them about why you haven’t been flossing. Dentists are full of great advice and will be able to give you some tips on how to include flossing in your at-home dental routine. Also, ask their advice on the type of toothbrush and toothpaste they recommend.
Fears and anxieties
If you’ve ever had a terrible experience with a dentist, you may groan at the thought of your next appointment. Instead, tell your dentist about past experiences that make you anxious. Or, if you’re about to go under a more invasive procedure ask as many questions as possible. This will ease any anxieties you have and ensure you that your dentist knows what they’re doing.
Having open communication with your dentist establishes a trust making it easier to maintain oral health and decreasing the stress associated with these appointments. If we know what is going on with you, we can help address your needs!