Next time you are visiting the dentist office for a routine examination or a scheduled appointment, here are some questions you might want to consider raising with your dentist:
1. Which foods should I avoid to protect my teeth?
It’s common knowledge that certain foods (such as sugary sweets, soft drinks, coffee, etc) can cause damage or staining to teeth. However, many people don’t know that about a few other foods that can cause severe and lasting damage as well. Ice, and citric fruits, can cause damage to the teeth of patients who have soft tissue irritation or weak enamel. Your dentist will be able to discuss foods specific to your dental needs that you may wish to avoid.
2. Might I need specific treatments in the future?
Your dentist is an expert at predicting what may happen to your teeth by examining them at their current stage. Such as: height loss in a tooth can be an accurate predictor of deteriorating of bones in the jaw. While most dentists will volunteer information to their patients about what they might expect, it never hurts to ask.
3. Do the medications I take negatively affect my teeth?
Always be sure to tell your dentists when you are taking new medication. In addition to potential conflicts with anesthesia, some medications can be very hard on certain patients’ teeth and gums. For example, over 400 medications can cause dry mouth–which has been found to have a positive correlation with cavities.
Your dentist is a valuable resource for your health, so don’t be afraid to ask questions during a visit.
