Going to the dentist shouldn’t be scary. It is a necessity, but if you find yourself dreading the visit due to pain it might be time to find a new dentist. Some dentists will go to great lengths to ensure patient comfort, including warm neck wraps and eye pillows. Here are a few things to remember that will help make your next dental visit your best one.
Checkup Time
If your checkup is shorter than an episode of The Simpsons, chances are the dentist is not thorough enough. The dentist should be performing an exam in addition to a cleaning. Thirty minutes isn’t enough time to check your gums, your teeth and to perform a cleaning of your whole mouth. Ask your dentist specifically to perform an oral cancer screening, and make sure that you get a checkup in addition to a cleaning.
Techniques
We often hear the dentist tell us that we need to floss more. Frequency of flossing may not be the issue so much as technique. First of all, there is no substitute for flossing. You need to get some dental floss and use a good length to wrap around your fingers, and then go through the crevices between your teeth. No mouth wash will give you this level of deep clean, but you should still use a mouth rinse after brushing and flossing. Make sure that you’re brushing at least twice a day, preferably three times, and that you dedicate enough time to brushing so you can adequately clean your teeth.
Foods
Even dentists chew gum, so don’t let the propaganda fool you. Not all gum is bad for your mouth, but you do have to be careful how much you chew. Gum contains sugars. It also increases saliva, which isn’t a bad thing, but the break down of sugars can cause bacteria build up in the mouth. That leads to bad breath and gum disease. Coffee and red wine stain teeth, but they also build up acid in the mouth and tend to stay in the mouth for a long time as you drink them. Whitening toothpaste will help remove those surface stains, but you should drink fluorinated water to help renew the enamel in your teeth.
The final tip is more of a fun fact. An apple a day doesn’t just keep the doctor away, it’s also a great natural tooth brush. If you find yourself unable to brush your teeth, try rinsing your mouth with warm water or chewing on an apple.
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By Dr. Sid Solomon is a cosmetic dentist with over twenty years experience in full mouth reconstruction. Sid Solomon is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists, and the California Dental Association. You can read Dr. Sid Solomon DDS reviews online, or book your appointment now.