Do you get Whitecoat Syndrome? If so, then visits to a general dentistry center may make you feel a little uneasy. You’re not a dental professional, so how are you supposed to know if something is wrong? And, how are you supposed to know which questions you should ask your dentist about at your next appointment? Luckily, the caring team at Lakewood Dental Group is here to help.
Drs. Shaun Sigurdson and Mihir Patel have years of experience educating and treating patients in Lakewood and East Dallas, TX. And, with comprehensive and affordable services, our team can help you get the healthy, traffic-stopping smile you’ve always wanted. So, don’t wait for a second longer–schedule a new patient appointment with our caring team online here, or call (214) 827-1885 now.
But, before you visit our team, let us tell you the six most important questions you should ask your dentist in Dallas, TX. Coming to your appointment prepared with these questions in mind can help you get the most out of your care.
1. Overall, how is my oral health?
Although this question may seem too broad to be helpful, it is actually one of the first questions you should ask your dentist. This allows your dentist to begin discussing the health of your entire mouth, even if your teeth and gums are perfectly healthy.
Indeed, your oral health is about much more than your teeth and gums. It also includes the health of your:
- Lips
- Tongue
- Hard palate (roof of the mouth)
- Soft palate (toward the back of the throat)
- Buccal mucosa (inside of the cheeks)
- Floor of the mouth
- Jaws and temporomandibular joints
- Throat and esophagus
Getting an idea of your overall oral health allows you to get a big-picture idea of your overall systemic health, too. And, when you know what is going on with your oral health, then you can begin making changes that benefit both your smile and body.
2. How is my oral hygiene, and can I make any improvements?
Oral health and oral hygiene are intrinsically linked, but they are not the same thing. Oral health refers to the general wellness of the oral cavity. Oral hygiene, however, refers to the maintenance and upkeep necessary to maintain one’s oral health.
Inquiring about your oral hygiene practices is important. This is because even tiny differences in brushing and flossing habits can add up to major improvements in your oral health.
If you want specific information about your oral hygiene practices, we suggest asking the following questions:
- What is the proper way to brush my teeth?
- Am I missing any spots when I brush?
- How often should I brush my teeth?
- How often should I floss?
- Which floss should I be using?
- Which toothbrushes and toothpastes should I be using?
- Should I be rinsing with a mouthwash?
3. How can I prevent gum disease?
Gum disease is one of the most common dental conditions that our Dallas dentists see. But, even though almost half of all American adults have the disease, it is not something patients should take lightly.
Gum disease (also called ‘periodontitis’ or ‘periodontal disease’) is an inflammatory condition that begins with a bacterial infection along the gumline. Eventually, the infection spreads farther and wider throughout the gums, which inevitably leads to gum recession, jaw bone atrophy, and permanent tooth loss.
As with most medical conditions, an ounce of prevention is worth many pounds of the cure. Subsequently, it’s best to prevent gum disease before it sets in.
Luckily, our team can help patients prevent or reverse the early signs of periodontitis (called ‘gingivitis’) with gentle and effective periodontal treatments. Indeed, treatments like root planing and scaling may be just what you need to combat pervasive gum disease.
4. Why are my teeth sensitive?
Tooth sensitivity is fairly common, as experts estimate that nearly 12% of the population currently lives with the condition. But, even though tooth sensitivity is common, it isn’t exactly ideal.
Sensitive teeth can make eating, drinking, speaking, and even breathing more uncomfortable. And, if left untreated, it can lead to significant dental dysfunction and disease in the future.
Therefore, asking about tooth sensitivity is one of the first questions you should ask your dentist in Lakewood. We can help you pinpoint the cause of tooth sensitivity, as well as address sensitivity with simple solutions, like remineralizing toothpastes, dental bonding, or anti-bruxism mouth guards.
5. What do white or brown spots on my teeth mean?
Discolored teeth can mean that something isn’t right. For example, excessive fluoride (fluorosis), cavities, or a root canal infection can all cause brown or dark spots on the teeth. Similarly, fluorosis, enamel hypoplasia (extremely thin or absent tooth enamel), and a calcium deficiency can all cause white spots on the teeth.
But, not all tooth discoloration is bad. Indeed, white and brown spots may simply be the result of highly-pigmented foods, medications, or past dental trauma.
Knowing the exact cause of tooth discoloration is hard to determine without the help of a trained professional. So, if you’re noticing new discoloration, then make sure you ask our Dallas dentists about it at your next appointment.
6. Is there anything I should discuss with my primary care physician?
Believe it or not, dentists can tell a lot about their patients’ overall health just by looking at their mouths. In fact, there are several health conditions that dentists can detect during a routine dental exam, such as:
- Diabetes
- Crohn’s disease
- Oral cancer
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Anemia
- Anxiety
- Cardiovascular disease
- Neurological disorders
- Autoimmune conditions
As a result, regular visits with our dentists in East Dallas may be your frontline defense against major systemic health issues.
Ask our Dentists in Dallas, TX
If you’re wondering what other questions you should ask your dentist, then contact the caring team at Lakewood Dental Group. We’ll happily address all of your concerns and give you ideas about how to get the most out of your dental care.
So, don’t be shy–reach out to us online or give our friendly team a call at (214) 827-1885 for more information and scheduling.