If you’re like most people, you likely have a dental care routine that includes brushing, flossing (riiiight?) and seeing your Green Valley dentist on a regular basis. But if your dental appointment is nothing more than a cleaning and a quick check-up, you might be missing the boat.

Always Ask Your Green Valley Dentist…

Here are a few questions you should always ask your dentist in order to ensure your teeth stay in tip-top condition.

What else can I do?

Sure, you brush, floss and see your Green Valley dentist. But there’s almost always something you can do to improve your overall oral health. For example, you might brush twice a day, but you also might build tartar faster than the average person, and could benefit from a third daily brushing. Or, you might be brushing too hard, or with too stiff a toothbrush. Your dentist is the perfect person to give you personalized advice for your dental regime, since he or she has first-hand info on the state of your mouth.

What can you do for me?

Getting in and getting out shouldn’t be the focus of your dental exam if you’re looking to improve the appearance and health of your teeth. Be sure to ask your Green Valley dentist if there are any treatments he or she can recommend to strengthen or improve your teeth. If you have specific concerns, like teeth grinding or bad breath, be sure to ask what might help improve these conditions; chances are, your Green Valley dentist can help.

Is my mouth healthy?

Your dentist might not point out any serious issues, but it’s a good idea to ask for an honest evaluation of your dental health. If any dental conditions run in your family, like gum disease or oral cancers, be sure your Green Valley dentist is aware of these.

Should I tell my doctor anything?

Your dentist can determine many things about your health from looking in your mouth, like issues with bone density or possible symptoms of cancers or other conditions. Ask your Green Valley dentist if he or she sees anything that you should bring up with your family doctor.