You do your best to take care of your teeth and your gums, but you still need the help and services of a qualified dentist. Your dentist performs routine exams on your mouth and takes x-rays to ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy. If a problem is found, he will discuss treatment options with you. Your dental provider offers you preventative measures to keep your teeth not just looking their best, but remaining in an ideal state of health.
Regular check-ups are important for your oral health, as are frequent cleanings done by a dental hygienist. When you first begin going to a new dental office, you will be required to fill out forms pertaining to your medical history. This includes any health issues you suffer from, any surgeries you have had, and any medications you are on. You also need to include any known allergies that you have. Your file needs to include everything that is pertinent to your medical past, as well as your present. Even such things as mineral or vitamin supplements that you are taking need to be noted down.
You may wonder why the dentist has to know about a medical problem that is not related to your mouth. The reason for this is because your whole body is connected when it comes to your health woes. It is possible that a problem that you have in one area of your body could bring about symptoms in your mouth. For instance, too much stress can lead to a dry mouth. There are certain medications that can also cause a person’s mouth to produce less saliva.
It is essential that you are honest with your dental practitioner about your medical history. Even if something seems small and insignificant to you, it still needs to go into your file because your dentist may need this information for future reference.
The same goes for your lifestyle choices. If you smoke, drink, or use recreational drugs, this information is relevant to your health and well-being. Be honest about how much you indulge in these habits. Your dental provider is not there to chastise you but to make sure that he has all of the information at his disposal to take care of your oral health needs. To have healthy teeth and gums, he needs to know as much as he can about how healthy you are and how you live your life. It can be detrimental to your health to tell lies about your health.
Disclose to the tooth doctor the names of the medications you are currently taking and the reasons for which you are taking them. Tell him what the daily doses for each are and how long you have been on them. If it is something you are taking on a temporary basis, let him know when you will be finished with it.