Getting the Most for Your Dollar at the Dentist’s Office
Going to a dentist’s office is not something that people do very often. Since that probably includes you, it is important to ensure that you are going to make your dentist appointment as productive as possible. You want to be prepared before you go to get the most out of it.
Write Down Your Questions and Needs
You are the one who is most aware of what has been going on with your teeth and gums. The dentist will be limited to what can actually be seen at the time of your dental visit – unless you remember to reveal other things or ask questions.
The best way to remember your questions or problems is to write them down in advance of your visit to the dentist. Some things that you may want to include are if you have a tooth that has become sensitive to temperature or when you bite on it.
Another thing that you will especially want to mention to your dentist is if you have any sores in your mouth that do not seem to go away. A sore that does not heal could be an indication of oral cancer. Dentists are trained to be able to identify it, and getting early treatment for it is very important.
If your gums have been bleeding when you brush your teeth or floss it should also be mentioned. This is an indication of early gum disease, and the dentist can advise you on how to treat it before it becomes worse. Other symptoms of gum disease include swollen gums, bad breath, pus appearing between your teeth and gums, loose teeth, and spaces appearing between your teeth.
If you have been experiencing dry mouth recently, this should also be mentioned to the dentist. This is a problem the dentist is concerned about because it means that the amount of bad bacteria that harms your teeth has increased. It can be caused by various diseases and medications. When this occurs, the bacteria start producing an acid that slowly destroys the enamel on your teeth. Having a healthy amount of saliva helps keep the bad bacteria under control, and also helps to repair your teeth.
Understand What Services the Dentist Provides
Most likely, you already understand some of the dental services you may need. Prior to making an appointment, make a list of things you want a dentist in your area to offer. Once your list is complete, call the dental office and ask your questions.
Among the things you want to ask, there are some things you need to ask for sure. The topics you want to learn about include:
- Do they accept your dental insurance?
- If you do not have dental insurance, do they offer a flexible payment plan?
- Do they handle emergency dental situations?
- Do they provide dental services for children? Orthodontics – which options?
- Can the dentist remove fillings made of mercury?
- Do they offer tips for better oral health care?
- If desired, do they offer sleep sedation dentistry?
- What materials are available for fillings?
- Do they offer cosmetic dentistry services?
Another thing that you may want to ask about is if the dentist office offers any of new high-tech forms of dentistry. This could include using a laser to detect cavities or drill them out, using ozone for sterilization, and thinner veneers that make removing tooth enamel unnecessary.
Create a List of All Medications and Supplements You Are Taking Now
The dentist will need to know what medications and supplements you are taking at the time of your dental appointment. This is important because it can affect your treatment. If you are taking a blood thinner, for example, the dentist needs to know it because a dental procedure may involve excessive bleeding in that case.
Ask About Your Dental Cleaning Methods
When looking into your mouth, a dentist can quickly spot how well you are – or are not – cleaning your teeth. By asking the dentist to let you know what you can do to improve your teeth cleaning methods, you can help cut down on your overall annual dental costs.
Get a Referral
One of the best ways to choose a dentist is to get a referral from a friend, co-worker, or relative. You want to find one that offers the services you need, but is also friendly and answers your questions. A referral is especially good when you need to get the same type of dental services as the person who referred you.
Our MyChampion Dental expert dentist team will gladly help you get the most out of your routine dental visit. For more information, or to set up an appointment, you can call our office today at (214) 747-0763.
