Visiting a family dentist every six months for a regular dental cleaning and exam is essential to a healthy, beautiful smile. Regular visits don’t just benefit your teeth, they build relationships with your dental team. While you and the dentist or dental hygienist are updating each other on the past six months of your lives, don’t forget they also have a wealth of information about your oral health and other aspects of dental care.
Every visit with your family dentist is the perfect time to ask these five questions so you know how to maintain the health of your family’s smiles.
1. How often should I visit the dentist?
As we stated earlier, most dentists recommend dental cleaning and exams every six months. However, based on her observations, your family dentist may suggest more frequent visits for you or your children.
2. How can I improve my oral hygiene routine?
A good daily oral hygiene routine is the best defense against cavities, gum disease, and a slew of other oral health problems. Your oral hygiene should include the following:
- Proper brushing
- Flossing
- Rinsing with mouthwash
Ask your family dentist about how to brush and floss properly so you can ensure you’re doing everything possible to protect your mouth. Then, pass that knowledge on to your family!
In addition to these steps, eating the right foods throughout the day can strengthen teeth and balance the bacteria in the mouth. If you’re unsure where to start, begin with reducing the amount of sugar in your diet and eating more vegetables and dairy products.
3. Are my gums healthy?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 64.7 million Americans have an advanced form of gum disease called periodontitis. Even more suffer from the early stage of gum disease called gingivitis. Fortunately, gingivitis can be reversed, but the advanced stages require professional dental treatments.
Many times, patients don’t even realize they have gum disease until it has developed into periodontitis. Symptoms don’t always arise, but here are some signs to look for:
- Red, swollen gums
- Bleeding while brushing or flossing
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth
- Persistent bad breath
If left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Thankfully, attending regular dental cleanings almost guarantees gum disease won’t progress that far.
4. Why do I have bad breath?
Bad breath is extremely embarrassing. The causes of bad breath range from certain foods to serious medical problems. Here are the most common causes:
- Eating onions and garlic
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Poor dental hygiene
- Dry mouth
- Medications
- Mouth infection
- Acid reflux
- Metabolic disorders
The best way to know what’s causing bad breath is to visit with a family dentist. She can thoroughly inspect your mouth for any oral health issues that may be the source of the bad odor.
5. How can you help my children?
If you and your children aren’t already visiting the same dentist, you should be! A family dentist treats patients of all ages to make dental care more convenient and less stressful. You the rest of your family can visit the dentist on the same day at the same time.
Ask your family dentist about your child’s first dentist visit, dental sealants, cavity prevention, and anything else you can think of. She can answer all your questions as well as provide kid-friendly dental care to your little one.
Visit Your Family Dentist
Call your family dentist today to schedule appointments for your entire family. If you live in the Austin, TX area, our dental team is prepared and excited to have your family join ours. Our experienced dental team, state-of-the-art equipment, and modern techniques ensure your family the best care possible.
Contact us today at (512) 346-4690.
