Ten Things You Should Know About Your Dentist’s Visit

Ten Things You Should Know About Your Dentist’s Visit

January 1, 2023

1. You Should Take a Full List of Medications You’re On.

You should always tell your dentist in Little Rock about all your medications, especially if you have allergies or sensitive reactions to certain drugs, which could affect how well they work during a dental procedure. It’s also crucial to let your dentist know if there are any changes in how you take your medication so they can ensure it’s still safe for use while at the dentist’s office.

2. Expect Comprehensive Checkups and Cleaning

Your dentist will ask you to open your mouth, and the doctor will look at your teeth, gums, and tongue. After that, he or she will use an instrument called a pick to remove plaque from your teeth.

The dentist may also recommend cosmetic dentistry in Little Rock if you have discoloration or uneven teeth.

3. Dental x-rays are harmless

Dental x-rays help diagnose dental problems and find cavities, fractures, or infections in your mouth. If you’re worried about getting an x-ray at the dentist’s office because you think it will hurt or harm you, don’t be—it won’t!

X-rays can also help detect bone loss due to bone disease (osteoporosis) or cancerous tumors growing on bones (osteosarcoma).

4. If You’re Going Because of Pain, Tell Your Dentist About It.

Talking with your dentist about any discomfort in their office is important. Your dentist will likely want to check out the area where you feel pain and then perform some tests or take an x-ray just to ensure there isn’t something more serious happening behind closed doors that requires treatment immediately.

5. Your dentist will perform an oral cancer screening

Your dentist will perform an oral cancer screening during your visit. It’s important to get regular screenings so you can catch early signs of the disease and prevent it from spreading. Oral cancer affects men and women, with more than 50,000 new cases each year. Fortunately, there are treatments available for oral cancer if caught early enough!

Oral cancers often cause no symptoms at first; however, they often develop over time without warning signs until it’s too late for treatment options such as surgery or radiation therapy.

6. It’s Not Just About the Teeth — Your Dentist Will Look at Your Gums and Tongue.

Dentists look at the mouth as a whole, so they will also check your gums and tongue to see any signs of disease. They may also do an x-ray to check for cavities in teeth (which can be painful).

If you have any concerns about your visit or treatment plan, don’t hesitate to ask questions!

7. If Nothing Hurts, You Could Still Have a Dental Problem?

A dental problem is not always painful. Some problems can be subtle, and you may not even realize your problem until the damage has been done. If nothing hurts, you’re still concerned about your oral health and want to ensure that your dentist isn’t missing anything, like painless gum recession.

This is when the gums recede from their normal position at the sides of your mouth. When this happens frequently or suddenly (for example, after brushing), it could indicate an underlying problem.

8. Your Appointment is a Good Time to Ask Questions, So Bring Them In!

As you prepare for your appointment, asking questions is a good idea. Your dentist will be happy to answer them and will do their best to ensure you understand what they’re going to do.

If there’s something about dental treatments that aren’t clear, your dentist may have some ideas on how best to approach this situation!

9. It’s Important, to be Honest with Your Dentist When They Ask How Often You Floss.

Flossing is an important part of your dental health. It helps remove food particles that can gather in between teeth, which can cause gum disease and tooth decay. But how often should you floss? And what kind of floss should you use?

The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three months for proper brushing.

10. Don’t Forget to Schedule Your Next Appointment Before Leaving the Office.

It is important to schedule your next appointment as soon as possible. If you don’t schedule your next appointment, you may forget and not make it. If you don’t make your next appointment, the dentist will not have time to see you.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Knight Dental Care – Little Rock for more information about our dental exams, cleanings, and other procedures.

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