The Five Secrets Patients Should Never Keep From Their Dentists

The Five Secrets Patients Should Never Keep From Their Dentists

Author: Christine OKelly

It is common for patients to see a cosmetic dentist and leave unsatisfied. This is not because of a lack of skill on the professional's part, but rather because the patient fails to reveal certain things about themselves. It isn't intentional. Oral experts sometime can't see what is bothering a patient, or the problem may have temporarily cleared up. Sometimes, patients do see certain things as being important while others thing the dental professional would say something about it if there was a need for concern. The following five common secrets held by patients can have a significant impact on their care.

They Don't Know The Current Status Of Their Teeth

Even if you clean your teeth as recommended by your cosmetic dentist, plaque, stains, and calculus will inevitably build in hard to reach places. This means routine visits to the hygienist are a must for a healthy smile. Make sure to ask your dental professional about the state of your teeth and ask if it is time for an appointment with a hygienist. He or she will be able to tell you if you have the right brushing habits, recommend a good hygienist to you, and might even have one right in the office allowing you to combine visits.

They Have Constant Bad Breath

Some patients have bad breath that they can't seem to get rid of or prevent. This is something that should definitely be mentioned to an oral care expert. It might not seem serious, and it probably isn't, but it could indicate some serious dental problems that should be identified before they get too far.

Their Gums Have Abnormal Spots On Them

Many patients forget that a cosmetic dentist is responsible for the care of your entire mouth and not just their teeth. If patients notice anything out of the ordinary about their gums such as white patches, sores, lumps, or peeling, they need to mention this to their professional. Once they are aware of it, the dentist can check for serious problems and diseases, like cancer, and can treat the area.

Their Teeth Are Sensitive To Hot, Cold, And Sweets

When tooth enamel wears away, it exposes the dentine underneath making teeth sensitive to foods and drinks that are hot or cold and even foods that are extremely sweet. This might be because the patient was born with thin enamel, it wore away naturally with eating, or it can even be caused by bleaching or abrasive toothpaste. With poor dental hygiene, acidic drinks and foods can also affect the thickness and strength of tooth enamel. Thankfully, it is relatively easy to treat, unless other issues such as receded gums or periodontal disease have caused the problem.

They Have Loose Adult Teeth

Unless the patient has received a good knock to the mouth recently, adult teeth should not loosen off by themselves. This is often a pretty serious sign of periodontal disease. When patients fail to tell their cosmetic dentist about the problem, the condition isn't treated in time and they risk losing all of their teeth to the disease.

Even the best cosmetic dentist in the world can't help you if you aren't willing to communicate about things you have noticed between appointments. By revealing these five secrets to your oral care expert as soon as you notice them, you will have a much better chance of treating the problem, and will be much happier with your teeth in general.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-five-secrets-patients-should-never-keep-from-their-dentists-561383.html

About the AuthorChristine O'Kelly writes for the Miami dentist, Miami Beach Dental Institute. This leading Miami cosmetic dentist provides a wide range of treatments including sealants and cosmetic contouring.