The condition of your teeth and oral health can affect your overall health. Choosing a dentist is as important as choosing a family doctor. One of the first things you will consider is whether the office is accessible and close to either home or work. Is it easy to get an appointment? If the dentist is booked way into the future, perhaps the practice has more patients than can be handled with careful attention. Take a look around the office: Is the office clean and tidy? Is the staff cheerful and welcoming?
An important factor in working with your dentist is how much information he/she shares with you. Is there a hygienist who will help you with techniques and tools for better health? Does the dentist present options for treatment, and a cost breakdown? Has the office staff taken a complete medical history? Does the dentist have an emergency service? Will there be someone to take a call if you have an off-hours dental emergency?
One would expect a new dentist to take full mouth x-rays, and discuss general health issues. A thorough examination of the mouth, neck and face should be performed and all information carefully recorded on a patient's chart. The frequency of preventative care should be discussed, and staff should follow-up when the next visit is to be scheduled.
There are many specialties in dentistry. One should consider the particular state oral health when choosing a dentist. Does the dentist have expertise in root canal? Gum disease? Does the dentist have a pediatric specialty? Does he/she have techniques to deal with patients who experience fear when visiting a dentist?
Be cautious when choosing a dentist with much expensive equipment; that dentist may be more interested in high-cost procedures in order to pay for the equipment. Also be wary of dentists whose primary focus is cosmetic dentistry. Beware of the dentist who suggests replacing all your amalgam fillings, or who sells products not related to oral health. Another red light is the dentist who specializes in headache, backache or TMJ, or a dentist who suggests that aches or pains far from the mouth have a root cause in the mouth or jaw. Some dentists will treat for "heavy metal toxicity". This is a field beyond dentistry.
It is a good idea to schedule a preliminary visit with a new dentist. During that visit you can ask questions about fees and payment plans, emergencies, attitude toward prevention and generally to see if you are comfortable with that professional. Teeth and general oral health is important, and mistakes made by an incompetent dentist will have long-term repercussions.
After receiving treatment, a good assessment is whether the dentist asks how your bite feels; if there is any discomfort at the gums from the dental work; how the tooth looks; is the tooth catching floss or your tongue; are the fillings polished; discomfort when drinking hot or cold liquids; was the mouth cavity kept flushed, with no debris left behind. A careful and attentive dentist will be concerned about your comfort throughout the procedure, and will want you to leave the office in better condition than you arrived.
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