Oral care is as important as taking care of any other part of the body. Good dental care will enable you have healthy teeth and strong gums, and avoid problems like cavities, bad breath and tooth decay. You can take care of your teeth from home, but it is also recommended that you visit your dentist every once in a while. Don’t wait to have a dental problem to go a dentist’s clinic, make it a routine to go for check up at least three times a year. Here is what the experts’ advice you should consider before making an appointment with a dentist.
Training and Qualification: We wouldn’t want to be treated by a quack. Our bodies are fragile and we always want the most qualified medics to treat us. It is no different when we are talking about oral health. Before going for any oral procedure, ensure that you are being handled by a professional. You don’t want an amateur to look at your teeth. Ensure that whoever you consult with is a certified dentist. Dentistry is a respected profession, and no matter how qualified the dentist is, they should also be disciplined. Your dentist should be ethical and not have been involved in any medical malpractices. Check their history in the hospital they work in. This will not only help you understand their professional side, but also know a little bit of their personality. It is good to know how much experience your dentist has. The more experienced they are, the better they will be at handling any complication that may occur during your oral procedure.
Insurance: Not all insurance companies cover dental healthcare. It is also important to know that not all dentists accept insurance. Knowing the two will help you plan financially, or change insurance plans or dentists if you want the insurance to include dental care. Some insurance companies require referrals from specialists. If your insurance asks for this, be sure to confirm if your dentist issues referrals.
Cost: Dentists from different medical facilities charge differently. Don’t walk into a dentist’s clinic without having an idea of how much you will pay for the check up. Going for fillings will attract a different amount from root canal therapy etc. Ask around about the practices and how much you are required to pay. Don’t go for treatment oblivious of the amount you are to pay. Knowing what you are expected to pay will save you from rude surprises and embarrassment in cases where you had carried less cash. During payment, check whether your dentist accepts credit cards, checks or cash. Understand how the hospital or dentist handles their bills.
Referrals: Referrals can come from parents, friends, patients a dentist has seen or other health care providers. As you list down the dentists you think are fit for you, also pay attention to the opinion given about them. Previous patients are especially the best people to listen to. Given their fist hand experience, they will be able to explain in detail what you can expect. They will share the good and the bad, and this will help you make the final decision
Patient Comfort: Apart from confirming that the equipment and furniture found in the dentist’s office is comfortable enough, ensure that you as a patient feel comfortable enough to open up. Dentist visits can cause anxiety for you, especially if it’s your first time with that particular dentist. Be familiar with the patient comforts offered at the hospital before a dental consultation. Some hospitals offer headphones, aromatherapy and massage to patients to keep them calm. Know which pre medication practice is suitable for you before choosing your dentist. Are you able to talk about all of your dental issues without fear? Can you ask for pain medicine without feeling shy? Does the dentist understand when you ask a question? Is he intimidating? Consider asking all these during dental care visits. Other than the dentist, note if the hospital and other staff are friendly with patients, or rude when asked for help.
Emergency Care: Dental emergencies don’t choose when to strike. You could be going on with your business and you fall down only to lose a tooth. Your tooth could out of nowhere chip or get fractured. There is nothing as painful as trying to eat with a hole in your mouth. Tissue injuries inside the mouth are part of dental emergencies. Everything mentioned above requires immediate care. Know if your dentist deals with such emergencies, and what time of the day or week you can check in. Know how flexible your doctor is when dealing with emergency cases. Know if your dentist is on call 24/7, and if alternatives are offered when the dentist is not present.
Location: Don’t go for a dentist whose office is miles away and you are required to travel for hours. Choose a dentist who is closer to your home. This will make everything easier should you be needed to make numerous visits to the dentist within a short duration. You can also easily pop in for consultations. A dentist who is located miles from your home will discourage you from visiting them regularly and somehow make you neglect your dental care. Trips to the dentist will also not seem tedious if the dentist is located in your locality.
Research: Even with recommendations from friends and family, do your own research on the dentist you wish to visit. Google is just a tab away. Every legitimate dentist has an online presence. Check out their website and see what is being offered. Look at the rates compared and compare them to the services they give. Reviews are also a good way of knowing about the dentist. People leave reviews on social media sites every time they seek for services in wherever places. Be sure to at least bump into a few reviews; whether those painting the dentist in positive or negative light. Do an extensive research on the quality of hospital the dentist operates from. Find out their level of technology. Look for the equipment they use in procedures.
Part of oral care includes the selecting the food we take. Fruits and especially kiwis, are good for your gum tissues. Onions, raisins, tea, sesame seeds and cheese are some of the best foods for oral health. Visiting the dentist together with basic teeth care like brushing every day, reducing the consumption of sugary foods and flossing will sure save you from a lot of gum diseases.
