6 Questions to Ask Your Dentist at Your Next Appointment

Every six months, you should visit your dentist for preventive care. During these visits, your smile will be thoroughly cleaned to remove plaque and tartar buildup. Additionally, your dentist will perform a thorough checkup to ensure that you don’t have any oral health problems developing. These biannual visits offer the perfect opportunity to ask your dentist questions regarding your grin. Read on to learn six questions to ask your dentist at your next appointment.

#1: Do You Recommend Any Dental Treatments?

When visiting your dentist, be sure to ask if there are any other procedures that they recommend. Even if there aren’t any urgent oral health issues, you may still benefit from care beyond a dental cleaning. For example, if you have a cavity, your dentist will likely recommend a filling to repair it before it gets any worse.

#2: How Can I Improve the Appearance of My Smile?

If you have imperfections in your smile, there are a variety of ways to fix them. Ask your dentist what procedures they recommend. This will help you determine the best way to fix cracks, chips, gaps, discoloration, alignment issues, bite problems, misshapen teeth, and more.

#3: What Are My Payment Options?

If you have dental insurance, this should cover two dental checkups and cleanings per year. Insurance should also help lower the cost of restorative treatments. If you don’t have dental insurance, ask your dentist what other payment options they offer. Many dentists offer dental financing, which allows you to split the treatment cost into affordable payments.

#4: What Can I Do to Make My Smile Healthier?

Dental appointments are a great time to ask your dentist how you can better care for your smile. This could range from improving your oral hygiene routine to increasing or decreasing the amount of certain types of food you have in your diet.

#5: What Should My Oral Hygiene Regimen Look Like?

If you don’t brush twice and floss once daily, your oral hygiene routine could use some work. Though brushing for two minutes each time and flossing every night after your last meal works for most patients, your dentist will be able to tell you if you can make some improvements to your routine.

#6: Should I Change My Diet?

If you consume a high amount of sugary, acidic, starchy, or sticky foods, these can raise your risk of cavities. Ask your dentist what adjustments you can make to your diet to promote a healthier smile. This may include incorporating foods that contain certain vitamins and minerals into your meals or avoiding certain foods or beverages.

About the Practice

Dr. Bob Koenitzer has built his practice on the idea that every patient requires personalized care. He offers a range of treatments, including preventive checkups and dental cleanings to keep oral health problems at bay. He can also give you tips on how to better care for your beam outside of the office. If you are interested in setting up an appointment with Dr. Koenitzer and his Petaluma team or want to learn more, call his office at (707) 241-4495 or visit his website.