7 Facts That Every Dental Patient Should Know
/Not everyone likes to visit the dentist. There can be many reasons for this but in the end, patients should know that a dentist does his very best to make his patient comfortable. In fact, if you are dreading a visit to your dentist, here are a few things you should know.
#1 – Baby Cavities
Babies are not born with cavity-causing bacteria in their mouth. They get this bacterial from mothers and caregivers. As a result, it is important to care for your oral hygiene as much as possible if you are pregnant or expecting a baby.
#2 – Preventive care is important
Visiting your dentist every six months is necessary. This is particularly important if you have cavity prone teeth. Your dentist can catch cavities when they are small and fill them with modern restorative materials in less than ten minutes. Some of the better restorative materials also leak fluoride into the tooth causing it to mineralize after the filling is done.
#3 – Fluoridation is important
Almost every country now uses fluoridated water to increase the strength of teeth. You can improve on this by using fluoridated toothpaste and fluoridated mouthwash. However, fluoridated products are not recommended in children less than 5-years of age. Topical fluoride treatments are also recommended in children to strengthen both milk and permanent teeth.
#4- Soda and processed food is not good for you
You might already know this but people who have a high-sugar diet and consume more than two glasses of sweet soda per day are likely to have 62% more tooth decay in their mouth. Combining this with processed food can speed up the decay in their mouth and cause widespread dental decay.
#5- Dental treatments can be uncomfortable
Dental treatments can be uncomfortable and patients may be anxious about treatment resulting in problems for the dentist and the patient. However, if you discuss your problems with your dentist, he will do his level best to make your treatment as comfortable as possible. For example, modern day anesthetic procedures can numb almost anything making any procedure comfortable.
#6- Floss everyday
Flossing every day is a good idea but not everyone has the time for it. You can do it once in two or three days and it will do just as well. Make sure you use fluoridated floss and a holder to get the job done correctly. The first few attempts may be painful but once you get the hang of it, you can complete flossing in less than 3 minutes.
#7 –Brush for 3-4 minutes everyday
We brush our teeth everyday but most people brush their teeth for less than 30 seconds daily. This is not enough and the ADA recommends brushing your teeth for a minimum of 3-4 minutes daily. Use brushing timer or a mechanical toothbrush to ensure that you meet the minimum brushing time.
If at any time, you are uncomfortable with treatment or are experiencing pain, let your dentist know immediately. They will provide a solution to the problem and try to make your experience as friendly and as comfortable as possible. Remember, your dentist is your friend and your doctor. If you are upfront with him about your dental health and problems, he will do everything he can to make your dental visits comfortable.