What are 10 common questions to ask your dentist?
10 Common Questions To Ask Your Dentist. 1 1. How Often Should I Get a Dental Checkup? 2 2. What Are the Best Ways to Practice Good Oral Hygiene at Home? 3 3. How Can I Improve the Whiteness of My Teeth? 4 4. How Do I Prevent Tooth Decay, Gingivitis, and Other Problems? 5 5. Why Should I Have Dental X-Rays Taken? More items
What do dentists check during a dental checkup?
Dental professionals should be equipped to check a patient’s temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure. The average “normal” body temperature of a healthy adult, when taken orally, is 98.6° F. A body temperature slightly above or below 98.6° F is also acceptable, as “normal” temperature can vary from person to person. 4
Should your dental practice check your blood pressure and pulse?
More dental practices are asking patients to complete medical history forms and routinely checking patients’ vital signs, such as their blood pressure and pulse. There are many reasons to keep up-to-date medical information at a dental practice, especially as the link between oral health and overall physical well-being becomes more apparent.
What questions should I ask my dentist about pathology found in mouth?
Listed below are some common questions patients ask their dentists about pathology found in the mouth and the answers to those questions. No 1: Could changes in my gums be a sign of a bigger issue?
How do you assess dental pain?
There are several simple tests that may assist in diagnosis of dental pain.Pulp sensitivity test. Dry ice, or an ordinary ice stick (made in a plastic or glass tube), is placed on the cervical third (neck region) of the tooth crown. ... Percussion test. ... Probing. ... Mobility test. ... Palpation. ... Radiographic examination.
What symptoms might indicate that a person is experiencing dental problems?
Symptoms of dental and oral problemsulcers, sores, or tender areas in the mouth that won't heal after a week or two.bleeding or swollen gums after brushing or flossing.chronic bad breath.sudden sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures or beverages.pain or toothache.loose teeth.receding gums.pain with chewing or biting.More items...
What test examination is responsible for your teeth and mouth condition?
A dental exam helps your dentist to detect dental and oral problems early when they are most treatable. During the regular dental exams, your dentist will provide dental care tips that will help you prolong the life of your teeth. A dental exam is the right time to discuss your dental health goals with your dentist.
How do you assess a dentist?
4 Ways Dentists Assess Your Oral HealthDental Evaluation. A dental evaluation comprises examining the teeth, the bite, and jaw joint health. ... Gum Evaluation. Most often, we equate good oral health with a healthy set of teeth. ... Radiographic Evaluation. ... Oral Cancer Check.
What warning signs should you look out for when checking inside a person's mouth?
Bleeding gums. Loose or lost teeth. Recurring bad breath. Sores, irregular patches, or lumps in your mouth.
What are the common causes of oral health problems?
Oral diseases are caused by a range of modifiable risk factors, including sugar consumption, tobacco use, alcohol use and poor hygiene, and their underlying social and commercial determinants.
What does a dentist do in a check-up examination?
The dentist reviews the cleaning done by the hygienist, conducts an oral exam of your gums and teeth, diagnoses any oral health problems, orders X-rays (if appropriate) and make treatment recommendations. Check-ups are important not only for cleaning, but to find any problems early.
What happens during a dental checkup What is being checked?
look in your mouth and carry out an examination of your teeth, gums and mouth. carry out any necessary treatments, tests or x-rays they feel you require. ask about your lifestyle and provide any advice on diet, smoking, alcohol and teeth cleaning to help improve your oral health.
Why is assessment important in dental hygiene?
The assessment aspect to your appointment is when your dental hygienist evaluates and gathers information needed to customize a treatment plan designed for your specific oral health needs. This is completed at your first initial appointment with a follow up dental hygiene assessment at each subsequent appointment.
How do you know if you have a good dentist?
20 Signs to Tell If Your Dentist's Office is GoodDoes your dentist actively listen? ... A good dentist educates. ... A great dentist respects their patient's time and resources. ... A clean and comfortable setting. ... Avoids upselling. ... Gets to understand your needs. ... Follows up with you. ... Has a good rapport with the staff.More items...
What aspects and areas of the dental office should be assessed?
5 Things to Look for in a Dental OfficeThe Doctor's Education. Let's face it. ... The Staff's Training. Doctors, hygienists, assistants, and other members of the clinical team should attend regular continuing education courses. ... A Welcoming Atmosphere. ... A Clean and Organized Space. ... Excellent Communication. ... Call Us to Learn More.
What causes tooth sensitivity?
Patients with tooth sensitivity feel pain when they consume foods or drinks that are hot or cold, sweet, or acidic. Sensitivity happens when tooth enamel, which usually protects the tooth's pulp and dentin, is thinned from repeated exposure to acidity and extreme temperatures. Sensitivity can also occur as a result of: 1 Receding gums 2 Tooth grinding during sleep 3 Chipped or fractured teeth 4 Tooth whitening 5 Orthodontics and fillings
How to maintain a healthy mouth?
The best way to ensure a healthy mouth is to follow a balanced diet and regularly visit the dentist while maintaining your oral care routine with twice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing. Protect yourself against problems that can advance quickly by discussing these questions with your dental professional.
What is the purpose of a therapeutic rinse?
Therapeutic rinses work to help treat conditions such as gingivitis, tooth sensitivity, and inflammation. For more advanced conditions, prescription mouthwashes often contain chlorhexidine gluconate to kill bacteria that cause bleeding, inflammation, and plaque or biofilm formation. 9.
When do babies lose their teeth?
Most children begin losing their baby teeth between the ages of six and eight. They typically fall out in roughly the same order in which they grew. Keep in mind that all patients are different. Children and adult oral conditions depend on how long they've gone without an appointment, how long a child's baby teeth last, and what kinds of things you are naturally more sensitive to.
Is a dental exam a substitute for professional advice?
It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
How to get back to work after a dental appointment?
Plan enough time off from work or school to feel less rushed or anxious about getting back. When you make your appointment, ask how long a cleaning and exam usually take, then add extra time to that. You'll be in the dentist's chair longer if it's been a while since your last visit. An end-of-day appointment is a good option so you can go right home.
What do dental hygienists do?
A dental hygienist covers your chest with a plastic or paper cloth, and you may get eye shields to wear, too. You'll see a tray of metal and perhaps ultrasonic tools. The hygienist uses these, working a tooth at a time, to scrape off any hard buildup of plaque and tartar on the surfaces and along your gumline. They may floss between your teeth, too.
What does it mean when your gums are bleeding?
Changes in gum tissue, texture, tone, and inflammatory state (i.e., bleeding) are often signs of poor oral hygiene and the need for a professional cleaning. However, in some cases, these symptoms may indicate a change in health status, such as the development of diabetes (figure 1); changes in the immune system; pregnancy;
Why is my tooth turning black?
Grayish-black stains can suggest cavities from within the tooth. If the pulp or nerve of the tooth dies, the tooth can turn black or brown. If the tooth sustains trauma and the pulp begins to bleed, the tooth can turn black (figure 3).
Why does my tongue hurt?
The most common causes of pain in the tongue can be from canker sores (also known as aphthous ulcers) or cold sores (herpes); dehydration; dry mouth; fever (sickness); or the Candida infection (commonly known as thrush).
Why do my teeth get brown?
Extrinsic stain is usually due to common causes. Brown stains are a result of food and drinks such as coffee, tobacco, red wine, and chocolates.
Why is my tooth green and orange?
Green and orange stains can be due to tartar buildup. Intrinsic stain comes from within the tooth. Grayish-blue to brownish-yellow stains can be from tetracycline staining, caused by exposure of the tooth to the antibiotic when the tooth was developing.
How often do dental professionals see patients?
Oral healthcare professionals are given a unique opportunity when it comes to diagnosing overall health issues in their patients, because patients tend to see their dentists twice a year, and their doctors only once a year . As such, dental professionals are often the first health professionals to take notice of a wide range of health issues ranging from cancer to high blood pressure 3 to diabetes. 1
When taking a patient's pulse, should a dental assistant take note of the strength of the pulse?
When taking a patient’s pulse, a dental assistant should also take note of the strength of the pulse. An overly strong or weak pulse can be a mark of a health problem. An assistant should also take note of whether the pulse is regular or irregular. 4 A normal pulse will become easier to recognize with practice.
Why is it important to have a dental assistant?
Because many patients are not accustomed to having their vitals checked at a dental office, it is important for dental assistants to be prepared to explain the reasoning behind any new procedures. Assistants should be able to express to their patients the links between oral and overall health, how certain dental issues can be indicators of more serious conditions, and how the patient’s twice-yearly appointment is an important part of their overall health.
What are the factors to take into account when measuring a patient's blood pressure?
There are two factors to take into account when measuring a patient’s blood pressure: systolic and diastolic pressures. Systolic pressure measures the amount of pressure that arteries endure when blood is pumped into them, making them stretch. Diastolic pressure measures the amount of pressure when the heart is not pumping blood and arteries are at their normal size. 4
How to check if a dental assistant is taking a pulse?
After taking a patient’s pulse, a dental assistant should also observe the patient’s respiration. This is best done without the patients’ knowledge, as they can change their breathing patterns if they know they are being watched. Without letting go of the patient’s wrist, the assistant can observe whether the patient is breathing normally or is taking labored breaths. Count the number of breaths the patient takes for 15 seconds. Multiply that number by four to ascertain breaths per minute. 5 A healthy adult takes between 12 and 20 breaths per minute. 4
Why do dental assistants need to have a medical history?
A complete medical history allows the dental assistant to be aware of any health issues that the patient may be at risk for. This also makes the assistant conscious of any medical conditions the patient already has, what medications the patient is on, whether or not the patient has any allergies and sensitivities, and any other issues that may be critical during a medical emergency.
Why do we need to monitor vitals during procedures?
There are three reasons to monitor vitals during procedures 8: It helps assistants or the clinician detect acute medical emergencies that could require immediate attention. It may reveal that a patient is reacting badly to the procedure before there is a true medical emergency, while the reaction can be reversed.
What to expect at a dental prophylaxis appointment?
What to Expect During Your Dental Prophylaxis Appointment. A prophylaxis dental appointment is a routine, preventive procedure. Your dental hygienist will update your medical history to see if there have been any changes in your health, such as pregnancy, new diagnosis, medications, or other updates. As a preventive measure, they will also do ...
Why do dentists measure gums?
Once your dental hygienist updates your medical history , they will visually examine your gum tissue and conduct a periodontal probing. This involves measuring the depth of your gum tissue with a tool known as a periodontal probe. It's crucial to measure gum tissue because our gums should fit snug around our teeth. Due to poor oral hygiene, age, or medical conditions, our gums may pull away from our teeth, creating pockets where food particles and bacteria can get stuck.
Why is it important to measure gum tissue?
It's crucial to measure gum tissue because our gums should fit snug around our teeth. Due to poor oral hygiene, age, or medical conditions, our gums may pull away from our teeth, creating pockets where food particles and bacteria can get stuck. Besides periodontal probing, your dental hygienist will inspect your teeth.
How often should I brush my teeth?
They'll remind you to brush your teeth twice per day, floss once per day , and use a mouthwash. Following your dental hygienist's work, your dentist will then perform a full examination of your mouth.
How often should I see a dentist for prophylaxis?
Some people need to see their dental professionals for a prophylaxis appointment twice a year. However, certain people should follow a different schedule. If your teeth and gums are very healthy, you may not need to go as often. On the other hand, if you have a high risk of dental disease, you may need to up your frequency.
What factors determine the frequency of dental X-rays?
Factors that dental professionals consider when determining the frequency at which you should get X-rays include the following: Age. Oral health. Risk for disease. If you already have signs of oral disease. Discomfort in your mouth.
How often should I get an X-ray?
If you have excellent oral health and regularly see your dental professional, they may recommend X-rays less often than if you're at risk for oral health issues. Factors that dental professionals consider when determining the frequency at which you should get X-rays include the following: 1 Age 2 Oral health 3 Risk for disease 4 If you already have signs of oral disease 5 Discomfort in your mouth
What is the treatment for dental problems?
Acupuncture. Acupuncture is a technique,89wherein the disease is treated by inserting needles at various points on the body, known as acupuncture points. It has been reported that acupuncture is effective in treating dental problems such as anxiety, temporomandibular dysfunction syndrome, pain, and Sjögren’s syndrome.
How to help patients with dental anxiety?
Encourage the patients to discuss their status of fear and anxiety, in order to construct a hierarchy of feared dental situations, from the least to the most anxiety-provoking. Teach the patient relaxation techniques. The most commonly used techniques are breathing and muscle relaxation.
What are the dimensions of the dental anxiety scale?
The scale has three dimensions: avoidance of dental treatment, somatic symptoms of anxiety, and anxiety caused by dental stimuli.28,38. Based on these questionnaires, patients can be categorized as mildly anxious, moderately anxious, and extremely anxious or dental-phobic.
What is the difference between dental fear and dental fear?
Fear is a reaction to a known or perceived threat or danger. It leads to a fight-or-flight situation. Dental fear is a reaction to threatening stimuli in dental situations. Phobia is persistent, unrealistic, and intense fear of a specific stimulus, leading to complete avoidance of the perceived danger.
What is the most accurate method to measure dental anxiety?
An extremely accurate objective method used in various studies to measure dental anxiety is galvanic skin response. It takes advantage of the electrical changes induced by minute amounts of fluid from epidermal sweat glands released secondary to anxiety.
What are the advantages of electronic dental anesthesia?
Advantages of electronic dental anesthesia are as follows: there is no need for a needle, no need for injection of drugs, limited soft-tissue anesthesia, the residual analgesic effect remains for several hours, it is suitable for the needle-phobic, and there is no residual anesthetic effect at the end of the procedure.
Is dental anxiety monotherapy?
Management of dental anxiety. The etiology for dental anxiety is multifactorial, and hence there is no monotherapy for management. Proper evaluation of the patient and identifying their source and level of anxiety can enable the dentist in deciding a proper treatment plan.
Why do people avoid dentists?
Fear of pain is the main reason people avoid seeing the dentist. The good news is that there is a wide array of medications and techniques -- used alone or in combination -- that can reduce or eliminate pain and control anxiety during most procedures.
What is the best medicine for dental work?
Medications at the Dentist's Office. Topical anesthetics. Topical anesthetics, applied with a swab, are routinely used to numb the area in the mouth or gums where the dental work will be done. The topical anesthetic is given prior to injection with a local anesthetic, such as Lidocaine. Laser drills.
How does relaxation help with pain?
Studies have shown that practicing relaxation techniques helps reduce pain and anxiety levels in patients. There are many types of relaxation strategies. Some of the more common include: Guided imagery. This is the technique of imaging a pleasant experience or a particularly soothing environment.
What is the term for anesthesia that is delivered electronically?
Another form of electronically delivered anesthesia is called cranial electrotherapy stimulation. Under this technique, electricity is passed into the brain, which causes relaxation. Again, the patient controls the intensity of the current, increasing or decreasing it to control the pain as needed.
What is the best way to remove decay from a tooth?
Laser drills. Some dentists are now using lasers to remove decay within a tooth and prepare the surrounding enamel for placement of the filling. Lasers may cause less pain in some instances and result in a reduced need for anesthesia.
When to use general anesthesia?
For these reasons, general anesthesia is typically only used if extensive dental work is needed and when other forms of sedation or pain control are not sufficient to conquer fear. If you think you may be interested in general sedation, ask your dentist if they are licensed to administer this form of sedation.
Why are oral sedatives not prescribed?
Oral sedatives are often not prescribed because they take about 30 minutes before their effects are felt and can cause drowsiness that may last for hours. General anesthesia. With this technique, the patient is "put to sleep" for the duration of the procedure.
What is the most common emergency seen by dentists?
In the United States and Canada, studies have shown that syncope is the most common medical emergency seen by dentists.1 It represented approximately 50% of all emergencies reported in one study, with the next most common event, mild allergy, representing only 8% of emergencies.2.
Do dental assistants encounter emergencies?
Chances are good that dental assistants will encounter a few medical emergencies in the practice during their careers. Here is a guide to what should be done in such situations.