Chicago Implant Dentist: Five Things You Can Do To Get The Most Out Of Your Appointments, PART 1

This three-part article series explains five important things you can do to get the very most out of your bi-annual appointments with the dentist and oral hygienist.

If you thought your routine check-up at the dentist was about getting fillings and having your teeth cleaned professionally, think again! According to experienced Chicago implant dentist, there is a whole lot more to your annual check-ups. Not only do you get any and all cavities filled, the overall health of your mouth, teeth and gums is also thoroughly assessed. This routine care is an essential part of the preventative approach every Chicago resident should take to keeping their oral health in check and their smiles beautiful and confident.

Next time you go to the dentist, don’t just show up on the day of your appointment. Get the most out of every dollar you pay and fulfill the following five-point checklist to get the very most out of your dental visit.

1. Do You Have Any Concerns or Questions? Write Them Down!

“When it’s time for your annual or bi-annual appointment with the dentist, take a good hard look at your teeth and gums in the mirror beforehand and make a list of any problems you may have had or change you may have noticed,” advises an experienced dental implants Chicago specialist. “Then, when he or she sits down with you at the beginning of your consultation make sure you raise each issue so that they know what to be on the lookout for.”

Common issues patients could raise might include:

• “My teeth bleed when I brush and/or floss them.” - Weakened gums that tear easily are a possible sign of gum disease. The earlier this condition is treated, the lesser your risk of permanent damage and tooth loss is.

• “I’ve noticed that some of my back molars are especially sensitive and even painful.” - Teeth that are painful or sensitive to hot/cold food and beverages and/or to biting down could be a sign that the sensitive dentine of the tooth has become exposed through fracture, gum recession, a cavity or decay. If you don’t get the tooth restored promptly, your next dental visit could be to a Chicago implant dentist.

• “I have a sore in my mouth that won’t heal.” - Stubborn sores or ulcers that don’t heal and go away may be an early indication of oral cancer. Early diagnosis and intervention is crucial if you want to maximize your chance of complete recovery.

• “I’ve had problems flossing and brushing my teeth.” - “Your dental healthcare practitioner is not only there to fix problems that have gone wrong,” says an experienced dental implants specialist in Chicago. “He or she is also there to teach you about the best practices, routines and techniques for caring for your teeth and gums between visits. If you have any questions at all about flossing, brushing or a new anti-bacterial mouthwash on the market, ask them!”

“Additionally, if you’ve had any problems flossing a particular tooth because the floss always comes away shredded, or if it’s especially painful to brush, for example, the back right hand side of your mouth, write it down on your list and mention it to your dentist. You play as important a role in the diagnosis as your dentist does,” says the dental implants specialist in Chicago.

• “I have a habit of grinding my teeth at night.” - While your dentist should see evidence of Bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching) in the state of the grinding surfaces of your teeth, you should mention it anyway. He or she will prepare a customized mouth guard for you to wear at night to reduce the terrible damage and wear-and-tear this habit has.

“So, remember, if you have any questions or want to learn more about any dentistry service, procedure or treatment, be it for teeth replacement or a cosmetic procedure, such as teeth whitening or veneers, just ask us,” says the Chicago implant dentist. “We always recommend that patients make a list of questions they have about anything any everything before their appointment, because invariably they’ll forget what they wanted to ask if they don’t.”

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To find out how else you can get the most out of your annual or bi-annual appointments with your dentist, stay tuned for the second installment of this three-part article series!