One of the pillars of excellent oral health is the semi-annual dental visit where you’ll get a thorough cleaning and examination. An added benefit, though, is the chance you’ll have to interact with your dental hygienist, allowing you to ask the questions that you’ve been pondering between visits. Given the importance of you leaving your appointment with the best opportunity to maximize your oral care, your dentist in Marlton weighs in on why taking an active role in your dental health is so important and what questions to ask your hygienist before leaving the office.
Why is It Important to Take an Active Role in Your Oral Care?
Taking an active role in your oral care is important because it can protect you from enduring the greater problems that can arise when certain issues are neglected. Thus, it involves you paying attention to what is going on with your mouth, teeth and gums at all times. That includes checking for:
- Bleeding when you brush your teeth
- Foul odors
- Unusual sensitivity
- Any spots on your gums
- Coating on the tongue
- Dry Mouth
The above symptoms can be signs of excess bacteria growth and gum disease. If you notice any of them, you should definitely bring them up when you have your next dental checkup in Marlton.
What You Should Ask Your Hygienist at Your Next Checkup
When you go in for your semi-annual visit, along with bringing to your hygienist’s attention any changes that you’ve noticed in the condition of your oral health, here are some of the questions you should ask:
- Medications – While you have your hygienist in front of you, it’s a great time to ask him or her if your charts are up-to-date. You can also help by letting him or her know about any changes to or new medications that you’re taking.
- Improvements – You definitely want to take as much valuable information away from your visit as you can, so it’s suggested that you ask your hygienist if there are any recommendations for what you can do better with your oral health.
- Changes in Health – It’s equally important to keep a line of communication open between your dentist’s office and your doctor, which involves you acting as the conduit. Therefore, you should ask your dental hygienist if there are any changes in your health, given that he or she can spot warning signs of such conditions as diabetes, heart problems and other maladies by conducting an oral exam.
- Alarming Conditions – It’s suggested that you ask if there were any strange bumps, sores or bleeding found in your mouth. Usually your dentist and hygienist will bring these to your attention, but it’s always good to take the lead in your oral health.
And taking the lead in your oral health is the overall theme. Because you will spend the majority of your time away from your hygienist and dentist in Marlton, it’s up to you to take ownership and view the foregoing as partners in your wellness.
You ultimately have the power to determine the future of your mouth, teeth and gums. So reach out to your local dentist today to schedule your semi-annual visit and be confident that you will have the health that you desire.
About the Author
Earning her undergraduate degree from Elizabethtown College and her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Dr. Kristin B. Petulla has over 23 years of experience as a dentist. A member of the American Dental Association and several other professional organizations, Dr. Petulla practices at Kristin B. Petulla, DDS and can be reached for more information through her website.