What Questions Should I Ask My Hygienist?
Learning how to properly take care of our teeth is a pretty standard part of growing up. The routine itself may vary depending on where you get it from, but it all comes down to a pretty simple set of basics. Floss your teeth, brush twice a day, make sure to use mouthwash to keep bad breath down, wash, rinse, repeat. Warnings that cavities are always looming and abscesses can result in painful root canals were repeated by our school meetings, our dentists, and our parents. Once we moved out on our own our education in dental care largely stopped, but your hygienist is there to answer any questions you have at every visit.
What Your Hygienist Wants You To Know
During your visit to the dentist you’re going to spending some time with the hygienist while they prep you to see the doctor. While you’re sitting there you can either pass the time awkwardly, or ask them a few questions about your oral health. Below are a few suggestions about the questions you might want to ask.
- How Can I improve My Brushing And Flossing? Even with the help of a mirror it can be difficult to get a clear look as to whats going on in our mouths. We may think that our oral hygiene is above reproach, but without another set of eyes we can’t really be sure. Since your hygienist is in there anyway, you might as well ask them how you can improve your oral hygiene practices.
- Are All Of My Medications Current On My Chart? Most people overlook the fact that it’s just as important for your dentist to have all of your medication up to date as it is for your other medical practitioners. The medication that you may be taking can have an affect on the treatments your dentist performs and the things they look for during the exam. Make sure to ask your hygienist if everything is up to date on your records.
- Talk About Any Pain Or Sensitivity You may Have Experienced? If you’ve had episodes of pain or sensitivity in your teeth since your last dental visit, you might want to consider talking to your hygienist about it and seeing what they have to say. Even intermittent pain may point towards a condition that they may be able to resolve before it becomes worse.
- What Should My Family Doctor Know? All of your practitioners should be aware of whats going on with your overall health, so ask your hygienist what you should be passing on to your other health care practitioners.
If it’s been a while since you’ve last seen your hygienist and dentist, then you should consider making an appointment with Dr. Scott T Simpson at AppleTree Dental. Their team of experts have been working closely with the community in Tigard, OR to promote excellent dental care. Part of those efforts have included a well educated and friendly team of hygienists who are prepared to answer your questions and help ensure you have the best dental health ever.
