Questions & Answers Our Richmond Family Dentist Happily Shares with Patients

The American Dental Association recommends adults visit the dentist at least once or twice a year even if they aren’t experiencing mouth-related problems. This is to ensure you can get a professional cleaning now and then and to stop potential oral diseases early in its tracks. You should take full advantage of your visits by asking your dentist several important questions to help you better take care of your oral health.

Most, if not all, certified dentists, whether they are a Richmond TX dentist or from New York City, will happily answer your queries. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Here are some of the important questions you should ask your dentist during your visit.

1. What kind of foods is good and bad for my teeth’s health?

The kinds of food you eat not only affect your body’s general health but your mouth’s health as well. Eating foods that are acidic and sugary can form cavities while eating foods such as leafy greens, which contains rich proteins, and fresh whole fruits can be beneficial for your mouth. Here are some general examples of some foods that are good and bad for your teeth.

Foods Good for your Teeth Health:

• Calcium Rich foods – such as canned salmon, fat-free milk, cheese, almonds, and yogurt.
• Vitamin C – can promote healthy gums; make sure to eat citrus fruits for your daily intake of vitamin c. However, citrus contains acids that can damage enamel, so consume citrus in moderation and rinse down with water to avoid damage.
• Phosphorus – can help strengthen teeth, you can get it from eggs, nuts, dairy, and beans
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Foods Bad for your Teeth Health:

• Bread – yes, your everyday grocery bread can be bad for your teeth. The starches are broken down into sugars in your mouth when chewing. These sugars can form cavities if left alone.
• Carbonated Drinks – drinking sodas daily can have adverse effects on your teeth. Sodas can help plaque produce more acid to attack your tooth enamel and discolor or stain your teeth.
• Alcohol – drinking alcohol can dry out your mouth, leaving it with less saliva. Saliva is essential for keeping your teeth healthy and can help repair early signs of oral infections.

Be sure to discuss together with your dentist on what foods in your current diet are negatively affecting your oral health if there are any.

2. What are Some Practices I Can Do to Improve My Dental Health?

Pay close attention when your dentist is explaining what your current oral issues are if there are any and future concerns you might consider preparing for. You can use this time to discuss and ask some questions about your overall oral health, what things you can do to improve, tips on how to manage your daily dental care, etc. Make sure to bring up any minor problems you are experiencing such as small pains or sensitivities. The earlier your dentist can catch the issues the more successful the treatment will be.

Here are some good practices you can follow to improve your dental health and routine at home.

• Brush regularly but avoid brushing aggressively – brushing too hard can damage your tooth enamel. Do circular motions instead of going back and forth.
• Floss at least once a day – flossing is very important to get rid of food particles stuck between the teeth that an ordinary toothbrush can’t reach.
• Avoid Smoking – Smoking is one of the main causes of gum disease. It weakens the immune system and lowers the body’s ability to heal damaged tissues effectively which includes the mouth.
• Consider drinking water instead of sodas – sugary drinks such as sodas contributes to the decaying of teeth.
• Use dental products containing fluoride – fluoride can help strengthen your teeth and prevent cavities. But, some dental products don’t contain fluoride; make sure that the products you use have fluoride in them.

3. What are the Early Signs of Gum Disease that I Should Be Cautious of?

According to the findings of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 50% of Americans aged 30 or older have mild, moderate, to severe Gum Disease also known as Periodontal Disease. Periodontal Disease can lead to severe infections and tooth loss when left untreated. Unfortunately, the majority of people who have the disease are not diagnosed or actively seek treatment.

Be sure to ask and discuss with your dentist what signs you should look out for and what preventive steps you can take to avoid the risk of this dangerous disease. If you’re experiencing early signs of gum disease, immediately seek out treatment. Today’s Gum disease treatments are very effective in stopping it in its tracks early on.

4. Should I Discuss Anything with My Primary Doctor?

The mouth is the gateway to your overall health. A wide range of body health issues can begin displaying early symptoms in the mouth such as Diabetes and Osteoporosis. According to some research studies, gum disease is associated with stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and other various problems. You should tell your dentist if you’re taking any medication and if you need to discuss oral problems with your primary doctor; also ask if your dentist needs any health information from your doctor.

5. Should I Consider Dental Implants?

Discuss with your dentist about dental implants if you’ve broken, chipped a tooth, or experienced decaying teeth. If you’re not experiencing any of these at the moment, you can still ask your dentist to prepare for any future incidents. Ask if your dentist offers titanium dental implants for long-lasting effects. If you’ve experienced any of these unfortunate situations, dental implants are the best way to regain or restore damaged teeth. Dental Implants will feel and look like real, healthy teeth.

Conclusion

One of the best ways to improve dental health treatments is to be proactive in its process. Take full advantage of your dental visits by asking relevant and important questions to your dentist. This can improve your understanding and help you and your dentist better treat current issues and prevent future ones.