10 Things Your Dentist Wants You to Know

Dental Emergencies

You do not have to wait until your next appointment to deal with a dental emergency. Dental emergencies require emergency care. A chipped tooth, a knocked out tooth, tooth pain, all fall under the heading of dental emergencies. Do not wait to make the appointment, call ASAP to get on the schedule.

Good Oral Hygiene

Good oral health is a partnership between you and your dentist. In between your next visit to the dentist be sure you are doing your part. Brush at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste, and make sure you are flossing. These two actions can help to keep tooth decay at bay.

If you are not a regular flosser, do not floss the day of your dental appointment, it will leave your gums irritated and sensitive.  Be honest with your dentist about your hygiene practices.

Bleeding Gums Are Also an Indicator to Get to the Dentist

Early warning signs of periodontal disease are bleeding gums. If you experience bleeding gums after you brush between dental office visits, make an appointment with the dentist. The earlier treatment begins for gingivitis the sooner you can get back on track with good oral health.

Please Remove Mouth Jewelry

Before you see your dentist, please remove any tongue rings or mouth piercings. Mouth jewelry is not really supported by the dentist because it can cause problems with your teeth. Be sure to remove any piercings before your dental appointment.

Dental Cleanings

One of the dental procedures that are typical at your regular check ups every six months, is a professional dental cleaning. Professional teeth cleaning is done by the dental hygienist. This dental treatment is not painful, however, if you struggle with sensitivity issues, please let the dental professional before they clean your teeth.

The goal of the dental office is to ensure that you are always comfortable while sitting in the dental chair. Dental cleanings are necessary to remove tartar build-up and to help prevent gum disease.

 If you floss regularly between appointments you can make the cleaning process easier. Ask at your next appointment what you can do to clean your teeth better. The hygienist can recommend techniques, fluoride toothpaste options, and even which toothbrush is right for your teeth.

Come to your next appointment ready to ask questions.

Remove Lipstick

A lot of ladies forget to remove their lipstick. One of the things your dentist wants you to know about what to do before going to the dentist is to remove that lipstick. It is not just a mess preventative, it is so that the dentist can do a full oral cancer check.

A blemish on the lip hidden by lipstick or further discolored by lipstick and prevent the dentist from doing a complete exam. Before the check up wipe off the lipstick, please.

What To Do Before Going to the Dentist for Your Toddler and Children

Many people make the mistake of thinking that very young children do not need to see the dentist because baby teeth fall out. The fact is that it is vitally important that you start your child off on the right foot to ensure good oral health across their lifetime.

Cavities are completely preventable. That first dental visit will ensure that the baby teeth are coming in as they should, and provide you with care tips from the hygienist that can help to better care for your baby’s teeth. Of course, that first dental exam will be able to assess whether there are any dental problems.

The American Dental Association recommends that the first dentist appointment is made around 1 year of age, or earlier, depending on when the teeth erupt.  That first tooth is just as important as their permanent teeth will be someday.

One of the ways you can keep your baby’s teeth healthy is to never let them go to sleep with juice or milk in a bottle or sippy cup. Saliva that helps to rid the teeth of sugars is not as prevalent while you sleep and that sugar can really get to work on baby teeth.

For young children, you will have to take control of their oral hygiene. That means long before the first dental office visit you should be providing oral care by gently brushing and wiping down the teeth and gums of your toddler.

Regular check ups starting at about 1 year of age can help your child to avoid cavities, and make visiting the dentist a lifelong habit. You can prepare your child for their first dentist visit by reading stories to them about going to the dentist. You can also get them ready by using dolls to play pretend “dental chair” examinations.

Final Advice

If you haven’t been to the dentist because you’re ashamed of your teeth, or afraid of what he or she might find, you’re not alone. More than one third of Americans don’t visit the dentist regularly. Rest assured that your dentist has seen it all, and he or she is here to help, not judge. Taking care of your teeth and taking the first step towards a healthy smile is as simple as making an appointment with your dentist.