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Should You Ask Questions During Your Checkup?

Your dentist expects you to keep up with good hygiene at home and your recommended schedule of checkup and cleaning appointments. However, your dentist doesn’t expect you to know everything there is to know about your dental health. During your routine dental visits, asking questions can be important to filling in the gaps in your dental health knowledge. Today, we take a look at a few common questions patients ask during their checkups, and how the answer to them can help improve your long-term dental health.

What to Ask
How can I improve my hygiene routine?
During your exam, your dentist can spot signs such as weak tooth enamel and/or receding gums, both of which can indicate the need for more focused hygiene practices at home. Your dentist can make suggestions for improvement based on your weakest areas, though most suggestions focus on brushing and flossing at least twice a day consistently and refraining from eating too much sugar.

Do I need treatment for a cavity or gingivitis?
The diagnostic part of your exam involves your dentist looking for signs that an issue has already developed, such as a cavity or gingivitis. If it has, then the benefit of detecting it is that your dentist can treat it early and help you avoid more serious damage to your teeth and/or gums.

Should I worry about bite issues?
Besides cavities and gingivitis, your dentist will also routinely check for issues with your bite’s alignment and function. For instance, if bruxism or TMJ disorder becomes a problem, then your dentist can detect the signs of it through your regular dental examination and recommend appropriate treatment, if necessary.

Schedule Your Next Dental Checkup
Education is important to your continued good oral health, so feel free to ask us any questions you wish during your visit! To schedule your next appointment, call Oxnard Dentistry in Oxnard, CA, today at (805) 604-9999. We also proudly serve patients from in and around Camarillo, Ventura, Thousand Oaks, Moore Park, and all surrounding communities.

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