When you visit the dentist for your usual checkup and cleaning, you’re getting screened for a variety of things to maintain optimum oral health. But there are some things you can do before and during your appointment to help you make the most of your visit.
Organize Your Concerns
You may be experiencing occasional discomfort with a tooth or some pain in your jaw. Maybe your gums are bleeding when you brush. These are all things you should be discussing with your dentist when you go in for your checkup. But when they aren’t persistent problems you may forget to ask your dentist to check them out while you’re in the chair. So make a list of the various dental issues you’ve experienced lately. That way you won’t forget to bring them up.
These can be anything, from tooth sensitivity to problems brushing to a sore or injury that isn’t healing quickly and continues to cause your pain. Alerting the dentist to the problem can get it diagnosed and treated much faster than if you keep forgetting to deal with the issue and letting it get worse.
Updating Your Medical History
When you fill out the initial paperwork upon your first visit to a new dentist, you’re asked a myriad of health questions. These are important for the dentist to have so he or she can be made aware of possible issues with your overall health and past conditions you may have experienced. Depending upon how long ago you filled out those forms, you may need to update them so that your dentist has the complete picture of your health. Many health issues can manifest themselves in your mouth and certain dental problems may be an indicator of significant health concerns.
Taking Better Care of Your Teeth
New discoveries are often made that give dentists additional insight into improved methods of maintaining proper dental hygiene. Ask your dentist what more you can do to take better care of your mouth and teeth. This is especially important if you have a specific condition or illness that needs special care or treatment. He or she may have information on new techniques or products that will improve your oral health and promote better habits for cleaning, flossing, and overall maintenance. Much like with the updating of your medical history, adopting these new habits can make your dental visit a rewarding experience to ensure a clean bill of health all around.
