Q & A: 8 Common Dental Questions
There are probably hundreds of dental questions asked each year, maybe even more. There are never any wrong dental questions to ask your dentist. It is important that you feel comfortable enough to discuss any and all dental questions you have with your doctor. They are here to provide you adequate dental care, answer any questions or discuss any concerns you may have. However, we are going to focus on what we believe are the 8 most common dental questions heard at offices.
Question #1: How can I improve the whiteness of my teeth?
Answer: This is one of the most common dental questions we hear. There are many ways to improve the whiteness of your teeth. Although many stores now offer some form of over the counter teeth whitening systems, they are not always the quickest or safest way to whiten teeth. Many offices offer take-home teeth whitening systems. The take-home teeth whitening systems consist of custom fit bleach trays and syringes of bleaching gel used at home by the patient. Offices also have in-office teeth whitening. In-office teeth whitening is done by the doctor in the dental office. It may be a bit more expensive then the over the counter options, but they are found to be more effective. There is also the option of choosing dental veneers to enhance your smile.
Question #2: At what age should my child see a dentist?
Answer: Parents most common dental questions are about their children’s oral hygiene. Most dentists would recommend that a child be seen by the age of 3. It is important that your child gets acclimated with the idea of dental care prior to seeing the dentist. Dentistry for kids can be intimidating, so by teaching your child about the dentist and making the idea exciting it may make their first trip in easier.
Question #3: How can I relieve a toothache?
Answer: Common dental questions about how to relieve tooth pain are very frequent. The first thing is to contact your dentist and schedule an appointment immediately. Dental offices typically have a message service or an emergency number for patients to use outside of regular hours. So there is a way to get ahold of your dentist and ask what to do in the case of an emergency.
Question #4: How often should I have x-rays done?
Answer: Many patients have dental questions or concerns regarding how often the dental x-rays need to be done. For most patients, once a year is enough. For others x-rays may need to done more often for dental treatment, nutrition, hygiene and other issues. If you are concerned about being exposed to the radiation you can always ask for a lead apron and thyroid guard.
Question #5: What should I do if my gums are bleeding?
Answer: Some patients have gums that bleed when brushing or flossing. So we often hear dental questions about what they should do. What you should NOT do is brush or floss less. When the gums are bleeding and inflamed, it is important that you brush and floss effectively. You should also schedule with your dentist to see about having a periodontal evaluation to check for periodontal (gum) disease. If caught early, the periodontal disease can be treated in the office. There are many other symptoms to periodontal disease such as:
Bad breath
Loose teeth or teeth that have moved
Sensitive teeth
Pus coming from around the teeth
Pain with chewing
Tender gums
Make sure to contact your dentist if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
Question #6: Why do I get “morning breath”?
Answer: It seems like everyone has dental questions about bad breath. When you are sleeping, your saliva production slows down. Saliva is the body’s natural mouthwash and when sleeping there is not enough salvia production to reduce the sulfur compounds in our mouths that cause bad breath. “Morning breath” is actually very common, most people do get it.
Question #7: What are dental sealants?
Answer: For parents this is among the most common dental questions they ask. Dental sealants are a liquid plastic coating that is painted on the chewing surface of the back teeth. It bonds quickly to the groves of the teeth giving them a protective barrier. Sealants are typically done for children between the ages of 6-14.
Question #8: Can you help reduce my anxiety about my dental appointment?
Answer: Many people have fears of the dentist. At least daily we get dental questions about how we can help someone reduce anxiety. A simple way to help reduce anxiety is to simply communicate with one another. Taking time to talk to one another about concerns seems to help patients relax a bit. Also many offices provide laughing gas (Nitrous Oxide) to help patients relax. Some offices provide it as a courtesy and some do charge a fee for it.
These are just a few of the most commonly asked dental questions… but, there are always more!! Visit http://www.theperfectsmilekc.com/FAQ-Dental-questions/ for additional Q&A or contact one of our three conveniently located dental offices. We’re always happy to answer your questions or to help you schedule an appointment with one of our doctors… visit http://www.theperfectsmilekc.com/Location-map/