We all take good care of our oral hygiene at home since we all know the importance of oral hygiene in our lives. But still, sometimes there are a few basic questions that we need to know, and the best place to ask those questions is your dentist’s clinic. At Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry, we encourage our patients to ask all kinds of questions they want to know related to oral well-being.
The most common and relatable questions we hear from our patients are discussed here. So if you have any questions similar to these, you can get your answers right here.
- Question about general oral health – Do I have any concerns?
This is the question that we hear a lot: if any patient is having any kind of disease like diabetes, or if they smoke or consume alcohol, then this is the first and foremost question we get to hear from the patients. You need to ask this, and your dentist will examine or ask a few more questions before suggesting any kind of medicine or treatments. You need to tell exactly so that your dentist can suggest the right treatments or any further examinations, if required.
Common dental questions to ask during your dental visit:-
- Are there any signs or symptoms of any gum disease or gingivitis?
- Can the dentist see any kind of early enamel degradation or tooth decay symptoms?
- Do my teeth show any kind of signs of teeth grinding(bruxism)?
Asking these questions makes the patient aware of their current oral health and also warns them of any kind of future problems that can be seen. Being aware of your oral health condition helps you to take the necessary steps required.
The answers that you might receive from your dentists will depend on your health conditions, but still, some common answers we get to answer at Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry are:-
- Gum Health:- Bleeding, inflammation, or any kind of gum recession is a clear sign of periodontitis or gingivitis, which your dentist will make you aware of. But having health issues like diabetes or heart disease or habits like consuming alcohol or smoking also impact a lot on your oral health, so if you have any health issues or habits, your dentist will advise you accordingly.
- Tooth Decay:- If identified at the early stage, then it can be solved by just some normal filling, avoiding treatments like root canal and having crowns at a later stage, which will avoid you from future pain and problems, and also save a lot of your expenses as well.
- Bruxism(Teeth Grinding):- Your dentist, after examining your teeth’s wear patterns, can tell you if you have a teeth grinding problem at night or not. If so, he/she will recommend a customised night guard to protect your teeth from grinding and ease the jaw strain as well.
Pro tip:- If your dentist shares any kind of concerns related to your oral health, you must ask them for X-rays, which can help you visualize the actual problem and understand the concerns and recommendations by your dentist.
2. Can I Improve my Oral Hygiene Routine?
You may ask your dentist how you can improve your daily oral health regimen. At Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry, we give you advice that is personalized for you and not some generic tips. The generic tips, however, help in starting and setting a tone to your routine, but adding personalized advice gives you the best results you deserve.
We all know brushing twice a day helps in keeping oral health at a good pace, but you need to know if you are brushing too hard or too soft. Brushing too hard may damage your teeth enamel and your gums might get hurt, while brushing too softly may not clean up the plaque or remove the leftover food in between the teeth.
You also need to know if there are any missing spots in your mouth that are not getting cleaned, such as the back molars, gumline, or the tongue might get skipped from cleaning.
Is flossing effective, and if so, how to use it correctly? Just flossing between the teeth is not enough. Your dentist will guide you with the proper way and techniques that need to be followed for proper flossing and getting the desired results.
Your dentist = your secret weapon for getting clean, healthy, and sparkling teeth.
They will show you where you are missing the plaque, spot harmful habits, and even recommend the best tools that will help you keep your oral hygiene at its best.
Some of the Key Questions you may ask your dentists related to your oral hygiene can be:-
- Are you brushing and flossing correctly?
You need to discuss your brushing habits, like do you brush only from side to side and not in circles, or do you ignore the gumlines during brushing, and you are in a rush while flossing.
- Should you go for an electric toothbrush or change your mouthwash?
Using electric toothbrushes helps in removing plaque, but only if used correctly. Similarly, which mouthwash is best for you, whether an alcohol based mouthwash will dry up your mouth or not, or if the fluoride or antibacterial mouthwash is a good fit for you.
- Are any of your food habits damaging your teeth?
Your dentist will suggest to you what food items you need to avoid and what to include in your routine. Also, seeing the teeth condition, they might suggest you to stop chewing your nails or ice cubes, also you may need to discuss the medications you are on so that he/she can analyze your mouth if it’s too dry.
Discussing these questions, your dentist might recommend the best habits and routines to follow. Sometimes they recommend the usage of “C-Shap” flossing techniques, guiding you with the steps, like
- wrapping the floss around the tooth,
- slide gently under the gums,
- curve it into a “C” shape against the side of the tooth, and
- using the clean floss for each tooth.
Pro Tip: Ask your dentist to show you the trouble spots; it only takes 2 minutes!
3. What preventive treatments would you recommend to me?
At Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry, our experts analyse your oral health and will guide you on how to move forward. Here, we believe that prevention is always better than the cure, so we guide you to the best prevention methods that can work for you.
Taking preventive actions on time will save you from future pain and expenses as well.
The kind of preventive care tips you will be given depends on many factors, like your age, gender, your health history, and your current health status.
Some of the most important questions you need to ask your dental health expert can be:-
- Would going for fluoride treatments and dental sealants benefit my oral health?
Your dentists will let you know the benefits of using these treatments in reducing the risk of tooth decay, strengthening tooth enamel, avoiding food from getting stuck in between the teeth, and preventing bacterial growth in your mouth. The dentist will guide you through which of these will be the best fit for you.
- How often can I have a professional cleaning?
This is among the most common and important questions we get to hear at Contemporary Dentistry. The frequency of your visits will be decided by your dentist, depending on the condition of your oral health. Some might need it every 3 months, and some may leave it for 6 months. Your dental health expert is the best person you must listen to and follow to get the best for your oral health.
- Is a mouthguard necessary for sports or grinding at night?
Depending on your routine and habits, your dentist may recommend if a nightguard is suitable for you to prevent any future harm. If you are into sports, then he/she will guide you according to your sports requirements, or if you have the habit of grinding your teeth, then you will also be advised to use the nightguard. Taking these preventive actions will help you avoid any kind of future oral health risk.
Common Preventative Options
| Treatment | Best For | Why It Helps |
| Fluoride Varnish | Adults/kids prone to cavities | Strengthens enamel against decay |
| Dental Sealants | Back teeth with deep grooves | Blocks bacteria from settling in crevices |
| Custom Night Guard | Teeth grinders (bruxism) | Prevents cracks and jaw pain |
🔍 Fun Fact: Sealants can reduce cavity risk in molars by 80%!
Bonus: 5 More Smart Dental Questions to Ask
- “Do I need X-rays, and how often?” (Some patients need them yearly; others, less.)
- “Could teeth whitening work for me?” (Not all stains respond the same way.)
- “Are my medications affecting my oral health?” (Many causes dry mouth, increasing decay risk.)
- “How does my oral health impact my overall health?” (Gum disease links to diabetes/heart issues.)
- “What’s the best dental insurance or payment plan for my needs?”
Conclusion
Coming to the end, we can say that asking questions to your dental expert will help you take the necessary steps for keeping your oral health at its best and will avoid any kind of future inconvenience. These questions will help you to understand your oral health more deeply with proper professional advice. Patients who ask more questions are more aware of their oral health and thus take the timely precautions required.
So, next time you visit your dentist, make sure to ask as many questions as you can and get the best advice from them, and take good care of your teeth and gums.
At Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry, our experts are always ready and more than happy to guide you through the oral health journey. Ready to get started? Schedule an appointment and get answers to all of your questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I rely on online information instead of asking questions to the dentist?
A1. The information available online is not personalized and is only general knowledge to make you aware of basic information. Your dentist will give you advice only after thoroughly examining your condition and your habits, which is more reliable and safer to follow.
Q2. Do the medications I take impact my oral health?
A2. There are certain medicines that affect your oral health, especially if you are consuming them for a long time. Some medicines can cause dry mouth, which increases the risk of cavities.
Q3. I am considering having cosmetic treatments. Is it safe and right for me?
A3. You need to ask your dentist and discuss with her all the requirements you need before going for these treatments. Once she has all the information related to your oral, she will guide you to the best option to choose.
