How to Get the Most Out of Your Next Dental Checkup
While visiting the dentist may not be at the top of your list of fun things to do, it’s still important to schedule regular checkups. Here are a few ways to get the most out of your next dental checkup.
- Arrive early. It is a good idea to arrive at your dental checkup several minutes early. This will give you a chance to fill out the necessary paperwork and sit down and relax before your appointment.
- Provide a list of medications you take. Certain medications can cause dry mouth, which can increase your risk of tooth decay. As such, you should let your dentist know about all the medications you currently take.
- Be truthful about dental anxiety. If you get nervous when going to the dentist, you are not alone. Don’t be afraid to voice your fears to your dentist at your visit. He or she may be able to provide accommodations to help you relax.
- Make a list of concerns and questions. If you’ve experienced any dental health issues, such as a sore tooth, bleeding gums or teeth grinding, you should bring up these concerns to your dentist in Beverly Hills, CA. Additionally, if you have any questions, such as what to do about sensitivity or what foods to eat to avoid cavities, write them down before your appointment.
- Brush and floss before your appointment. Thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth before your dental checkup will reduce the amount of time your dental hygienist spends cleaning them. If there aren’t any leftover food particles on your teeth, it will be easier to detect tartar buildup.
- Listen to your dentist’s advice. In addition to performing an oral exam and cleaning your teeth, your dentist may provide valuable advice during your appointment. For example, he or she may advise you to stop brushing your teeth with excessive force or limit your consumption of sweets. While it may be easy to tune out the advice, it’s important to listen carefully. It may help improve the health of your teeth and gums.
Despite repeated warnings made by dentists all over the globe, including a Beverly Hills, CA dentist at TruGLO Modern Dental, studies show that most adults do not floss on a regular basis. While you may not think skipping out on flossing won’t have an impact on your health now, it certainly can make the difference for the long-term. Here are a few conditions that can develop if you don’t floss your teeth regularly.
Bad Breath
Probably one of the most embarrassing consequences of not flossing is having bad breath. This results from not flossing and taking care of your teeth. When you eat food, particles get stuck between teeth. If you don’t take time to floss and remove these particles, they can begin to smell and can eventually cause dangerous bacteria to get spread in the mouth, causing more serious problems than just stinky breath.
Gum Disease
When a person does not floss, plaque builds up on their gums and teeth, leading to gingivitis, which is the early stage of gum disease. Gums that are affected by gingivitis become swollen, red, irritated, and quick to bleed when you brush. If gum disease is left untreated, the plaque can build up further, infecting the teeth, gums, and bone that supports the gum tissue and teeth.
Gum Recession
As a Beverly Hills dentist may explain, gum recession happens when gums start to recede away from the teeth and the tooth root gets exposed. This causes tooth pockets and sensitivity to develop between the gum line and teeth. These pockets attract and accumulate disease-causing bacteria.
Tooth Loss
If you do not floss and have gum disease, your teeth may get loose and fall out, or have to be removed by your dentist. If you floss daily, which only takes a minute or two, you remove the plaque bacteria that infects teeth, gums, and bones. Signs of early gum disease include bad breath, pink-tinged coloration on the toothbrush, puffy or swollen gums, gums that are tender to touch, spitting out blood when flossing or brushing, and gums that bleed easily.
All in all, flossing and brushing is good for your health, and so is getting regular checkups at the dentist. We know that for many people going to the dentist can trigger fears, especially those who worry that it will cause them pain, but you can rest assured that we are dedicated to making you as comfortable as possible. We are here to help so that you can stay as healthy as possible, and that includes taking care of your dental health. If you are in need of a cleaning or have another dental concern, please contact a Beverly Hills dentist from TruGLO Modern Dental today!