Questions to Ask at Your Dental Checkups

Don't be shy about asking questions!

Routine Checkups

To maintain your oral health, the American Dental Association recommends regular dental visits. The frequency for these can vary. However, most people should get their teeth cleaned every six months. If you are at a higher risk for dental decay or gum disease, professional visits may be recommended at more frequent intervals.

Common procedures at your appointment may include:

• X-rays – Several X-rays may be taken to detect or monitor cavities and the bone level between the teeth.
• Gum measurements – A special tool called a probe is used to measure periodontal pocket depth and assess bone health.
• Recording existing restorations – If you are new to the office or had dental work done elsewhere, your existing fillings, crowns, sealants and any other dental work present in the mouth will be recorded.
• Prophylaxis (prophy) – Professional hand and electronic tools are used to remove tartar, plaque and bacteria buildup around the teeth and hard-to-reach areas. This is called scaling. Once this is done, your teeth are typically polished with a slow-speed rotary tool.
• Exam – The dentist will do an exam and talk with you about the findings. Problems such as cavities, gum disease and fractured teeth may be identified.

Questions at your checkups

Your dentist or hygienist will ask if you have any questions at the end of your checkup. If you are unsure of what to ask, the questions below may be helpful:

• Do I have gum disease? Your dentist or hygienist will be able to tell you if you have gum disease based on your pocket depths, any findings of bone loss and signs of infection, such as tender, swollen, bleeding or red/inflamed gums.
• Do I need to use a fluoride rinse? Discuss your risk for tooth decay and access to fluoride. Depending on a number of factors, your dentist or hygienist may recommend that you use an over-the-counter or prescription fluoride rinse.
• Is my oral hygiene routine effective? Based on the findings of your exam, your dental provider may review how you brush and floss. They may have tips for improvement or suggest a new product to help you clean your teeth and gums better.
• Why are my teeth sensitive? Sensitivity can be caused by several factors, including gum recession, whitening products, tooth decay, grinding or simply aging. Identifying the cause is important in order to determine the best way to reduce or eliminate the sensitivity.
• Why is this tooth giving me pain? Toothaches can be caused by infection, a hairline fracture, cavities or trauma. To determine the cause of a toothache, it may be necessary to take more X-rays or do additional testing.

Questions for other appointments or treatments

Sometimes, you don't know what you don't know. If you require dental treatment after your checkup, the following procedure-specific questions may be used as a guide to help you maximize communication with your dentist:

Fillings

• Can I eat after the appointment? If so, are there any foods I should avoid?
• How long should this filling last?
• Will I need a crown for this tooth later?

Root Canal Treatment

• Do I need to come back for a second appointment?
• How should I care for this tooth going forward?
• Do I need to worry about the tooth being infected?
• What's the likelihood of this tooth needing to be extracted?

Major Services: Crown, Bridge, Partial, Denture or Implant

• Is there bone loss?
• Do I need to use a special toothbrush or floss?
• Do I need to come back for a second appointment?
• What should I do if the new crown, bridge, partial, denture or implant breaks?

Extractions

• Can I eat or drink after an extraction?
• What are symptoms of a dry socket?
• When should I be concerned about the bleeding?
• Should I expect any pain or soreness around the extraction site?

Orthodontics

• Should I expect any type of soreness?
• Can I take pain medication for the soreness? If so, what kind?
• Do I need to use a fluoride rinse?
• Do I need a mouth guard over my braces for sports?
• How often do I need to be seen in the office?

Ask about pre-treatment estimates for major or extensive services

A pre-treatment estimate gives you an idea of how your insurance would pay for each procedure. To help avoid surprises, be sure to ask your dental office to submit a pre-treatment estimate before receiving any major or extensive services, such as crowns, bridges, implants and partials/dentures. Click here to learn more.

Going to your appointment prepared with the knowledge of the treatment being provided and a list of questions can help you save time and build a trusting relationship with your dentist.

Note: The information in this article is not meant to replace the advice of your dentist or another licensed healthcare professional. Talk to your dentist for any specific dental advice.