Ben and Gary Show - Episode 40

What To Ask Your Dentist 

Be sure to ask your dentist these four questions.

How often should I visit my dentist?

The answer depends on a patient's health, both general and dental. For a person without problems, dental visits twice per year are sufficient to catch changes that need special handling. 

For a patient with a lot of restorations, especially those repairs ten plus years old, dental visits three times per year are suggested. With older repairs, changes such as more tooth exposure around them benefit from more frequent monitoring.

Am I grinding my teeth?

If you grind your teeth, you may notice flat spots or shiny surfaces on your teeth. The top edges of your front teeth may be worn down.

In some cases, notched areas at the gum line occur from the force of grinding. To protect your teeth, your dentist can make you a tooth guard to prevent further damage.

Do you check for oral cancers?

Oral cancers are common especially in people who smoke or drink alcohol. Exposure to the HPV virus has also been linked to them.

Any mouth sore lasting longer than two weeks needs investigation. These are found anywhere in the mouth. Common locations are under the tongue and in the back of the mouth. 

Trouble swallowing or lumps in the mouth need to be checked out. Oral cancers found early can be successfully treated.

What type of tooth brush should I use?

Harsh brushing and brushing with abrasive tooth pastes damage the tooth enamel. Your enamel protects the tooth and provides a nice appearance. Definitely use a brush with soft bristles.

Avoid whitening toothpaste that contain silica (sand). An electric tooth brush is recommended.