From a minimum age, you are always encouraged to ask questions to your parents, teachers, and coaches. These curiosities should also be encouraged in a dentist's office; for long-term dental healthcare, it's essential to ask questions to your dental professional.

So, are you thinking about which questions you should ask your dental professional?

Here are ten important questions that you must ask your dentist in the next appointment, along with the best possible answer that you might get from the dentist:

• How frequently should I go for a dental checkup?

Dental health often varies from person to person. One of the most common rules for any adult patient is to visit the dentist at least once or twice a year, regardless of whether your mouth is in good condition. This way, you can get your teeth cleaned by a professional and maintain good oral health.

• What should I do to practice good oral hygiene at home?

Other than daily brushing and flossing, you can take your oral hygiene to the next level by following some of the steps for good dental health. These include:

• • Making use of products that consist of fluoride
  • Avoiding snacks that contain high amounts of sugar
  • Always eating a diet full of nutrients
  • Preventing tobacco in any form

•  How can I enhance my teeth' whiteness?

Your confidence level doubles when you have a beautiful smile with clean white teeth. Many people suffer from teeth discoloration either because of surface stains or any internal staining of teeth. You can treat those stains caused by coffee, pigmented foods, wine and tobacco by using home whitening products, or you can go for professional teeth whitening. If there is internal discoloration, you can consider composite bonding or using veneers to the impacted teeth, which offers a permanent solution.

• How can I prevent dental problems like tooth decay and gingivitis?

One of the best ways to ensure good oral health is by following a good diet and going on a regular visit to the dentist, besides maintaining required oral health care by brushing and flossing your teeth daily. Protect yourself from issues that can progress very quickly by discussing those questions with the dentist.

• Why should I go for dental x-rays?

In your early visits to your dentist, they might take a complete set of dental x-rays. It assists your dentist in monitoring any changes that might be happening in your teeth. Maximum adult patients have bitewing x-rays each year and a complete month series every 4-5years. But that person with a high risk for any dental carries might need them every 6-18 months.

• What is tooth sensitivity, and why does a person get it?

Patients with tooth sensitivity often feel pain when they eat foods or drinks that are very hot or cold, sweet or even acidic. Sensitivity occurs when the tooth enamel that protects the tooth pulp and the dentin becomes thin because of exposure to acids and temperatures. Sensitivity also occurs because of 

• Ebbing gums
• Grinding tooth while sleeping
• Chipped teeth
• Tooth whitening
• Teeth fillings and orthodontics.

Discuss with your dentist, who will examine the impacted teeth and recommend treatment for decreasing sensitivity.

• When should I think of dental implants?

Dental implants are one of the best ways to replace your missing or weakened teeth. Implants are permanent and serve as one of the best alternatives to dentures for someone with a healthy mouth and jaw. Most adult patients are the best candidates for dental implants as they can prevent the teeth left behind from getting loose or moving.

• Is it ok to use mouthwash regularly?

It all depends on the kind of mouthwash you are using. Cosmetic mouthwash helps freshen up your breath and maintain a good color of your teeth, but they also contain fluoride that helps fight cavities. Therapeutic mouthwash helps in treating conditions like gingivitis, inflammation, and tooth sensitivity. For other states, prescribed mouthwashes that contain chlorhexidine gluconate for killing bacteria that are responsible for bleeding, plaque formation, and inflammation.

• At what age should my child first visit a dentist?

According to research, children can develop their first cavities by two years old. Therefore, it is often recommended to book an appointment for your child's first visit to the dentist as soon as their first tooth appears or by their first birthday. This assists your dentist in catching all potential dental issues that might affect your child's overall health and wellbeing when more teeth start growing over time.

• When do baby teeth start falling?

Most children start losing their teeth at the age of sixth onwards till 14yrs old.. They fall in the same order as they grew. But you should keep in mind that not all patients are equal. The oral conditions of children and adults depend on how long they have spent without an appointment, how long a baby's teeth last and what type of things you are more sensitive to.

So, these are all essential questions you can ask a dentist at your dental clinic. They are always there to assist you. With all these questions in the queue, you will never be in doubt about your oral health. MyDentalPlan. is one such platform where you will get access to many dentists.

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About the Author:

Suprithi Choudhary, M.Pharm (Pharmacology) Medical Content writer

Suprithi is a Pharma Professional working as a medical content writer and previously worked as a Research Scientist and Senior Research Analyst

Education

• C.M Academy
• Attended the Panjab University- Chandigarh, Pharma post-graduate in Pharmacology

Special thanks to Dr Deepak Kulkarni, a dental surgeon with over 23 years of experience who proofread this blog. He graduated from the H.K.E's Dental College, Gulbarga, and has certifications in ACHS International Accreditation Education Plan; Advanced Rotary Endodontic - Restorative Continuum; and Leadership, Team Building and Customer Service Leadership from the Oscar Murphy International.