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Houston Dentist Recommends 10 Teeth Cleaning Questions to Ask

Wednesday - September 6th, 2017
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Have you been getting the most out of your teeth cleaning experience? Now’s your chance! With tons of professionals to choose from, your Houston dentist at Castle Dental knows just what you can ask to improve your oral health care. You can use this guide to remember what questions are going to elevate your teeth cleaning experience! With a Houston dentist at your fingertips in many convenient locations to choose from, our affordable dental services will leave you with a sparkling, clean smile plus an educational and informative teeth cleaning experience.

1. What payment plans does the dentist near me offer?

At Castle Dental, we offer plenty of options to ensure you have the financial ability to visit a dentist for a professional teeth cleaning. Asking your dentist what options you have can help you obtain the best in affordable, quality care. We accept most dental insurance plans, and you can always call and ask our friendly staff if we accept yours. We take the work out of your experience, even filing claims that save you time and hassle. Even if you don’t have dental insurance, we have several payment plans to choose from, giving you the flexibility to choose an option that works best for you and your finances. Several locations also offer dental discount and financing programs that are available to take advantage of, depending on the care and service you need.

2. Is there anything I should tell my family doctor?

Your dental health is a large facet of your overall health, and because their interrelated it’s always a good idea to discuss both aspects of your health with your doctor and dentist. At your next doctor’s appointment, be sure to discuss any genetic history you have such as cancer, heart disease or gum disease, as well as any medications you may be taking that can impact your oral health. You can bring this information with you to your next dental checkup and advise your dentist on what genetic dispositions you may or may not have.

Advising your dentist about your genetic history can help them look for early signs of disease and cancer. Spotting these warning signs early is the best way to increase the likelihood for curing any type of disease that may be developing. This can also help your dentist better recommend how often you should be visiting them for dental checkups and teeth cleanings, as this is often based particularly on the patient. The more you, your dentist, and your doctor know about your family history, the better they can serve you in steps towards improving overall health.

3. What should my oral healthcare routine look like?

Each patient’s oral health needs are different. Your dentist at Castle dental can help come up with a customized oral healthcare plan that’s right for you and your needs. In regards to preventative care, you can do your part by practicing good oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing. Your dentist can advise you on the proper ways to brush and floss your teeth at your next teeth cleaning appointment. One of the best ways to do this is to demonstrate how you are currently brushing and flossing your teeth. This allows your dentist to see what you might be doing right, and ways you can improve upon habits you’ve already developed.

The way to properly brush your teeth starts with choosing the right toothbrush. Either a manual or electronic toothbrush should do, but you ideally should choose a brush that has soft bristles, minimizing the damage that can occur to the enamel, while being strong enough to remove any plaque residue. When brushing your teeth, angle the toothbrush at a 44 degree angle to your gum lines and move the brush back and forth with tooth-wide strokes. Continue this method around each tooth, ensuring you brush around the exterior, interior, and chewing surfaces of your teeth. You should brush your teeth for at least two minutes, twice a day.

Flossing teeth is an oral hygiene practice that sometimes gets left behind. It’s that one extra step that can really improve your oral healthcare routine, and is one of the best ways to prevent gum disease and cavities. After brushing your teeth, be sure to grab floss of your choice, a string about 18 inches in length. Holding the floss taut between each hand, guide the floss between each tooth. You should move the floss in a “C”-shaped curve, moving alongside the tooth to scrape off any plaque that may have built up. Flossing can help remove build up in those hard-to-reach areas that brushing can tend to leave behind. If you’re not sure you’ve been flossing the right way, have your dentist show you the proper method and ask for tips on how to incorporate this routine into your daily practice.

4. Am I showing signs of gum disease?

Gum disease is one of the most common dental issues Americans face, and it can often go undetected. Be sure to ask your dentist if you are showing any signs of early gum disease, as catching the signs early can help you come up with a treatment plan before the issue worsens. Once gum disease reaches its second and third stages, the damage is irreversible. Your dentist will have several different methods to check for gum disease at your next dental checkup. If you notice any bleeding when brushing or flossing, or during a pocket reading, you may be experiencing early stages of gum disease, also known as gingivitis. This occurs when plaque builds up and causes inflammation at the gum line when patients don’t regularly brush and floss, or are doing so infrequently or inefficiently. If your dentist notices signs of gum disease, be sure to ask what you can do to prevent it from worsening.

5. Does diet impact my teeth?

As one can expect, diet plays a big part in the maintenance of your teeth. Just as food impacts your body, the same goes for your teeth. This is especially true if you have a diet high in sugar. While sugar naturally occurs in all foods, it’s the excess sugar you’ve got to watch out for. This includes food that offer no real nutritional value such as candy and soda. When possible, try to avoid these foods and replace them with foods like raw vegetables, fruits, and cheese that provide nutrients that build and strengthen teeth. When you choose to consume foods with high sugar contents, you increase plaque buildup that eat away the enamel on your teeth, causing cavities and gum disease. If you’re not sure how your diet is impacting your teeth, review what you consume on a daily basis with your dentist and they can recommend what changes you may want to make to improve the health of your teeth (and body!).

6. Do you offer pediatric dentistry?

With several Castle Dental offices to choose from, we also offer pediatric dentists that are friendly and knowledgeable, making sure your children look forward to their next teeth cleaning. If you’ve got a newborn and are unsure when and how to start their oral health care, it’s always best to check in with a pediatric dentist to come up with a plan that works for you and your child. Children should have their first dental checkup before the age of one, or six months after their first tooth appears. Your dentist can not only help with care such as cleaning and checkups, but can guide you through developing good oral hygiene practices and tooth-healthy foods to incorporate into your child’s diet. Working towards optimal oral health care early is the best way to ensure a bright smile, as good habits will carry on into their future.

7. Should I get braces?

Whether you’re a teen or an adult, braces go well beyond just having the appearance of straight teeth. Straightening your teeth can alleviate other dental health concerns such as a misaligned jaw, or crooked teeth that are difficult to clean and maintain. Talk to your dentist and discuss whether or not straightening your teeth is something you should forgo. Because there are many options to choose from, straightening your teeth is now easier than ever. From Invisalign to traditional braces, straightening teeth can work with your cosmetic preferences and timeline.

8. Am I grinding my teeth?

If you’ve been experiencing any kind of tooth pain ask your dentist to look for signs that you’ve been grinding your teeth. Grinding teeth, also known as bruxism, can be hard to detect as we often don’t know we’re doing it. Most people grind their teeth at night, and it can be caused by several reasons related to stress, or a misaligned bite. This can slowly wear down teeth over time, and if not treated properly can cause damage to your teeth that is unsightly and painful. Discuss treatment plans with your dentist if you have been grinding your teeth, and seek advice on what can help alleviate this issue.

9. How often should I see my local dentist?

How often you visit your dentist depends on you! Because each smile is different, advice on how often you should schedule a routine professional teeth cleaning depends on your needs. Talk to your dentist about a routine maintenance plan that works for you to abstain from any gum disease and receive preventative care that leaves you with a healthy smile that lasts. Generally dentists will recommend you have a teeth cleaning and checkup at least every six months to maintain good oral health. During these cleanings, dentists can remove plaque and tartar buildup that can’t be done with just regular brushing and flossing. Because Castle Dental has so many locations in your neighborhood, your only five minutes away from a beautiful smile.

10. Do I need an X-ray?

Dental X-rays are a sure way of diagnosing and detecting any dental issues that may have developed since your last visit to the dentist. They provide a timeline and record for your dentist to physically notate when and where changes in the development of your teeth have occurred. Because X-rays show signs of decay that may not be visible to the naked eye, they are a great way to detect the formation of a cavity or if decay has spread to the root of a tooth. Whether or not you need one at your visit is up to the discretion of your dentist. Be sure to discuss any concerns you may have about X-rays. If you’re new to Castle dental, sharing any previous X-rays allows your dentist to look for any changes that have taken place.

Searching for a local “dentist near me” can be overwhelming with many results to choose from. At Castle Dental, we take the hesitation out of your next teeth cleaning as you can rest assured that we offer the best in quality, affordable dental care. Asking the right questions at your next dental checkup is a great way to get the most out of your teeth cleaning experience (and learn about your own health!). With appointments available that suit your schedule, including emergency dental services, you can give us a call at [phone] or visit us online to book.