At your six-month dental checkup and cleaning, you may be tempted to get in and out of the treatment chair as quickly as possible, especially if you struggle with dental-related anxiety or have a busy day. However, being an active participant during these appointments is essential. After all, it can help your dental team get a better understanding of how they can help you achieve or maintain the happy, healthy smile you deserve! With this in mind, a top dentist in Orange is sharing a few things to bring up during your next visit.
#1. Your Daily Dental Care Routine
How often do you brush? Do you floss every day? Do you use toothpaste with fluoride in it? Answers to questions like these can help your dentist gain insight into your risk of dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Plus, if they see an opportunity for improvement, they can share recommendations on products or techniques that will help protect your smile.
#2. New Medications and Supplements
Your dentist should always have a list of your medications and supplements. Why? To start, this ensures that any procedures they recommend or aftercare instructions they provide won’t cause complications. Additionally, certain medications have unpleasant consequences on your oral health, like dry mouth, which significantly increases the likelihood of you getting cavities. By notifying your dentist of medication and supplement changes, they can continue to take a proactive approach when it comes to your oral health.
#3. Bleeding When Brushing or Flossing
Bleeding when brushing and flossing is never a good sign. However, if you attempt to keep this information hidden from your dentist, the root of the problem can continue to progress. To prevent that from happening, make sure to share any abnormal symptoms (i.e., bleeding gums, tooth pain, etc.) with your dental team ASAP.
#4. Recent COVID-19 Diagnosis
If you have recently been diagnosed with COVID-19, you should let your dental team know before your appointment. Not only will this allow your dental team to take the necessary safety precautions, but it will also ensure they will be on the lookout for potential consequences to your oral health. Of course, if you are still feeling ill, then they can reschedule your appointment to another day.
You only get a few checkups and cleanings per year, so make them count! Use these appointments to speak openly with your dentist about everything from abnormal symptoms to how you can preserve your smile from home.
About the Practice
Led by Dr. Renu Michelsen, our team at Michelsen Dental is passionate about providing effective, safe, advanced dentistry that will leave you with the healthy, happy smile you deserve. That starts with thorough preventive care! We provide gentle checkups and cleanings and offer a wide array of restorative and cosmetic care if any dental problems do arise. If you are overdue for your bi-yearly visit to the dentist, don’t hesitate to visit our website or give us a call at 714-538-1178.
Request