Some people may be afraid of dentists, but really your dentist is your partner, and likely one of your best friends. While to some, that may sound phoney, but it’s important to realize your dental routine is not something to take lightly. There’s much more to keeping your mouth healthy than brushing after every meal and flossing. That’s a good start, but a Red Deer Dentist can recommend more ways to solidify your oral health.
The following is a list of questions you can ask your Red Deer Dentist. Don’t be afraid to ask these questions! They’re important; it’s important for you to get to know your dentist and it’s important for him to get to know you as a patient. Asking and answering in conversation is a good way to establish a rapport.
How can I improve my dental health?
This may sound like a general question but the Red Deer Dental community never gets tired of hearing it. The fact is most of us aren’t doing everything we can to maximize our oral care efforts. We think brushing and possibly rinsing once in the morning and once before bed is all that’s required. Or we may have started out strong, but gotten a bit lax as the years wore on. Whatever the case, this should be one of the first questions you ask.
Should I change my toothpaste?
Believe it or not, you may not be using the proper toothpaste for your teeth. So many toothpastes on the market are designed for whitening while claiming to prevent cavities and bacteria from building up in a 12-hour window. These claims may or may not be true. Only your Red Deer Dentist can answer these questions, and recommend which one is best for you.
Should I floss more often?
Everyone should floss. The rule is to floss between meals and before bedtime. But you might not be in that particular routine. Asking your Red Deer Dentist exactly how many times you should floss a day is just a step in the right direction.
Should I use a fluoride rinse?
Fluoride is a necessary part of your oral health, but it’s up to your dentist to decide whether you need it or not. It is possible that using a rinse without needing it can do some harm to your teeth. It’s best to ask instead of making assumptions.
What exactly does that mean?
Your Red Deer Dentist will give you the medical term for whatever your condition is, and it will be explained in depth. But if you need more information, just say so. The more knowledge you have, the better equipped you are to handle it.
What are my alternate options?
You need to decide what’s best for you. Asking your dentist about all of your options is expected. There may be an alternative for you that you’re more comfortable with. Be sure to learn of all of your alternative treatments first. Write them down, if you have to. Ask all the questions you need to ask about how it’s preformed, what’s used during the procedure, if anyone else will be present, and so on.
Is this treatment absolutely necessary?
If you need to wait – for whatever reasons – make sure that it’ll be OK to wait to perform treatment you need.
What happens if the procedure you preformed needs to be corrected?
If something goes wrong, asking how the problem will be corrected beforehand will help with your decision and comfort level.
What do I do in a dental emergency?
Emergencies occur often, and dentists are no stranger to them. If you happen to chip a tooth, cut your gums or wake up with a pounding toothache, you need to know how your dentist can help you. The Red Deer Dental community does provide after-hours services for emergencies – the way all good dentists should.
How do I report or resolve a complaint?
Despite how good your Red Deer Dentist is, you may run into a bit of a mix up. Asking how to report and resolve a complaint is only proper, in case a mistake is made and needs to be resolved.
