Dallas Dentist Recommends 11 Teeth Cleaning Questions to Ask

Dallas Dentist Recommends 11 Teeth Cleaning Questions to AskBeing inquisitive is part of human nature, especially when it comes to considering the questions that arise when conducting a “dentist near me” search. Understanding your oral health is important to your Dallas dentist, which is why we’ve decided to piece a few questions together that you may have at your next teeth cleaning. Asking the right dental questions is a crucial part of your overall health, and your local dentist at Monarch Dental takes pride in providing you with a knowledgeable teeth cleaning experience. When scheduling your next appointment at Monarch dental, use this guide to get the most out out of your next session. 1. Will the dentist near me take my insurance?If you have dental insurance, be sure to call our staff to see if we accept your plan. At Monarch Dental, our offices accept most dental insurance plans. We’ll even file claims for you, saving you time and hassle. We never want your financial situation to burden the care of your teeth, which is why we also offer payment and financing plans. Taking steps towards preventative care with a teeth cleaning can help minimize potential painful and costly dental health issues down the road. Depending on the office location, Monarch dental also offers money saving offers you can inquire about should you not have dental insurance. We do our best to make sure everyone can have access to quality, affordable dental services. 2. Am I brushing the right way?While you may be brushing your teeth both morning and night, you may be missing a few pointers to get the most out of your brushing routine. Brushing your teeth the right way is the best way to maximize your teeth cleaning efforts on a daily basis. On your next dental visit, demonstrate how you brush your teeth to your dentist. Doing so allows your dentist to assess some habits (good or bad) that you may have formed, and decide how you can improve this experience. As a quick refresher, the American Dental Association (ADA) generally recommends you brush your teeth with a 45 degree angle to the gums using tooth-wide strokes from side to side. Be sure to spend about two minutes polishing the surface of every tooth, including the interior, exterior, and chewing surfaces of the teeth. Your dentist at Monarch Dental can help with any questions you might have about your routine brushing habits, and advise what changes you can make to create a more efficient routine.3. Am I flossing correctly?First and foremost, be honest with how often you’re flossing. If you don’t typically floss after brushing your teeth, it’s a good idea to ask your dentist how you can start incorporating this important habit into your oral care routine. Your dentist may have some tips and tricks you haven’t considered to start using as a guide to floss regularly, and more efficiently. Flossing is one of the easiest ways to bump up your oral care routine and remove plaque that may be hiding between teeth and gum lines. Brushing regularly doesn’t always remove plaque, and you’ll need to floss to reach those hard-to-clean areas. Asking your dentist the correct way to floss will help you avoid dental issues like cavities and gum disease. The best way to properly floss your teeth involves grabbing a piece of floss about 18 inches long and holding it taut between two fingers. Guide the floss along each tooth, moving the string of floss as you go to remove plaque that may have built up over the day. You should generally have the floss form a type of “C”-curve along the tooth and down into the gum line. Types of Floss:Nylon Floss – Nylon floss is made when strands of nylon are bound together. Because of this it can shred or tear easier than PTFE Floss. It can come waxed or unwaxed, and flavored. PTFE Floss – Also known as single filament floss, PTFE floss is much more shred-resistant than nylon floss and can easily maneuver between teeth.Flossing types aside, knowing how to use it the right way is the key to optimal results. Have your dentist guide you through the right way to floss at your next appointment and take the practices home with you to keep your smile clean. Incorporating the right flossing technique will help boost your oral hygiene and keep things in order before your next dental check up. 4. Do I need an X-ray?Sometimes you may be wondering if you really need that X-ray at your checkup. Discuss any concerns or fears that you may have about X-rays with your dentist as they can help guide you through the process and determine when you need it the most, versus when you can avoid them. Dental X-rays are a crucial window for dentists to view an accurate record of your teeth over time. Having this record allows your dentist to see if anything has significantly changed with your teeth, or notate any signs of damage. These X-rays are a way for your dentist to see aspects of your teeth that aren’t visible to the naked eye, especially a cavity or tooth decay that may have breached much further than initially expected. They can also help detect any oral health issues at an early age, and recommend a treatment before the issue worsens. Talk to your dentist at Monarch dental about the X-ray process and how it applies to your oral health. Your dentist can help determine how often you’ll need an X-ray, and when you can forgo this process for the best teeth cleaning results. 5. Does my family history impact my teeth?Your genetic history can play a part in your dental health. Disclosing any genetic dispositions or family history of heart or gum disease can help your dentist watch for any warning signs for potential dental issues that may arise. Watching for these signs and knowing about your genetic health can allow your dentist to catch disease in its early stage, or recommend preventative care that’s specific to you and your needs. At Monarch dental, our dentists are knowledgeable and eager to help you in attaining an oral healthcare routine that best suits you. Knowing about your family history can help your dentist suggest how often you may need to visit the dentist for a teeth cleaning and dental checkup, as well as any issues with gum tissue. You can help your dentist by going over any history of cancer, heart disease, or gum disease amongst family members prior to your next appointment. Being aware of your family history allows you and your dentist to make the most out of your dental appointment. 6. Do I have gum disease?It can be surprising to discover how many people suffer from gum disease without even knowing it. Because gum disease can develop in stages, it can sometimes go undetected before turning into an irreversible issue. Ask your dentist if you’re showing any signs of gum disease, and what you can do to prevent this issue from occurring or worsening. One way to inspect signs of gum disease is to perform a procedure known as a pocket reading. This involves your dentist inspecting the space where your gums and teeth meet. Depending how deep the pocket is between the area, the increased chance you might be suffering from gum disease or inflammation. 7. How often do I need a teeth cleaning?Professional teeth cleanings are a necessity when it comes to maintaining a healthy smile. While regular brushing and flossing are important, they can’t go as thorough as a professional teeth cleaning with your Monarch dentist. But just how often do you need these teeth cleanings? It depends on you, the patient. Because you dental health is unique to you, your dentist will need to recommend how often you should be visiting them for a routine professional teeth cleaning. Generally dentists recommend patients come every six months to maintain good oral health. However, depending on your genetic disposition and oral care routine, it may change based on your needs. Your may need more frequent or less frequent visits depending on your oral health. Ask your dentist what’s going to work best for your needs at your next dental checkup.8. Do you have any diet recommendations?A diet might not necessarily be a recommendation from a dentist, but they can suggest what kinds of foods can help improve the health of your teeth. Your diet can directly impact the health of your teeth. You can go over what kind of diet you regularly consume, and how it may be affecting your teeth and overall health. This is especially true for children that are just beginning to develop their own health and diet routine. Incorporating healthy habits now can ensure a healthy future. A poor diet filled with foods high in excess sugar tend to do the most damage when it comes to the your teeth. These are foods like candy, soda, and processed foods that have added sugar. Sugar is what the bacteria in your mouth feed off, producing plaque which leads to gum disease and cavities. Ask your dentist if these foods are negatively impacting your teeth, and they can help you come up with alternative snacks and foods to replace any excess sugar. Generally a diet full of fruit, vegetables, and cheese are all tooth-healthy. 9. What age do my children need to visit the dentist?The age of your child will determine when they should visit the dentist. If you have a newborn, your child should have their first dental checkup by the age of 1 or six months after their first tooth appears. Monarch dental offers pediatric dentistry to help you and your children start their oral care routines the right way. Your dentist can recommend how often your children should be visiting the dentist, and how you can encourage healthy teeth habits at home. These pediatric dental visits are the best way to ensure smiling success in their future. As teaching children good oral health habits can be difficult, your dentist may have better ways of communicating the importance of teeth cleaning to your child, and make it a fun experience they can look forward to. 10. Do you offer teeth whitening?Going beyond a teeth cleaning, teeth whitening is a great cosmetic procedure to boost the appearance of your smile. If it’s something you’ve been thinking about for a while, you might want to ask your dentist what kind of teeth whitening options are available to you, and what works best for your teeth. Your dentist can advise one treatment over another, depending on the nature of your teeth. Over time, things like coffee, wine, and tobacco can discolor your teeth, leaving them dull or yellow. With several teeth whitening options to choose from, Monarch dental can help you decide what’s best for you. Rather than DIY treatments, a professional can make sure the teeth whitening option you choose works for your schedule and won’t damage your tooth enamel. The teeth whitening option for you will depend on the type of whitening your looking for, and the amount of time you’d like to spend. Tell your dentist what your preferences are, and they can guide you to a sparkling, bright smile! If your teeth have more intrinsic discoloration,, Monarch dental does have other solutions to a brighter smile such as veneers, composite bonding, or porcelain crowns. 11. Do I need braces?Straight teeth goes well beyond cosmetic appearance. While having straight teeth look great, they’re also important for good oral health as they can impact your bite and the way your teeth collect plaque. Our team at Monarch dental makes straightening your teeth an option at any age. From teens to adults, we have several different straightening options to choose from, including Invisalign. We offer free consultations with our orthodontists to answer any questions you might have about straight teeth. Straightening your teeth can alleviate many dental concerns you’re facing, and we’ll give you the straight answers you’re looking for. Dentist Near MeGet all your questions answered at your next dental checkup by one of our Monarch dentists. With several locations to choose from, we offer plenty of services right in your neighborhood. If it’s been awhile since your last visit, be sure to call us at 1-844-800-7645 or online to schedule your next appointment. Our friendly staff can’t wait to get to know you and your smile soon!