Dental Appointment

Post by: Gerarda on 19 Feb 2020

What You Can Do To Prepare

Sometimes it seems that by the time you arrive at your dental appointment the problem has disappeared and then you have forgotten the symptoms you had. Most problems in dentistry do not go away permanently, the symptoms may stop for a while, but they usually come back. So it is beneficial to keep that appointment and not cancel it. To help you get ready for a dental appointment, make a list of:

• Any symptoms you’re experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment
• Important personal information, such as any medical conditions
• Medications you take, including vitamins or other supplements
• Questions to ask your dentist to take full advantage of your time together

Some questions to ask your dentist depending on your issue may include:

• Do you think, for example, gingivitis, caries or an abscess is causing my symptoms?
• Do I need x-rays?
• Is there an alternative to the approach you’re recommending?
• What can I do at home to keep my gums and teeth healthy?
• Do you recommend a particular toothbrush or toothpaste?
• Do you recommend using mouthwash?
• Can I gargle with salt water or should I use a stronger antibacterial mouthwash?
• Are there any restrictions that you would suggest?

Don’t hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.

Remember to make a note of your symptoms. Note when your symptoms come and go and how long they last. You might be stressed before a dental appointment and if you are in pain as well you might not remember all the things you want to ask. Write them down and take them with you to your appointment.

Dental Examination

Post by: Gerarda on 20 May 2014

The importance of a dental examination cannot be understated as it is an integral part of preventive dental health care. Many dentists suggest that it is necessary to have one every 6 months but our dentist, Dr. Mikael Kahn, recommends having a dental check-up once a year, provided that you maintain good oral hygiene, meaning that you brush and floss daily. In many cases the dental examination is combined with scaling & polishing (dental cleaning).

During the dental examination Dr. Kahn will take digital x-rays, especially if it is the first time he sees a patient. Normally, two x-rays are taken on each side. If on the other hand it is an adult patient who comes regularly, x-rays might be taken  every second or even every third year, depending on the oral health of the patient. Dental x-rays are necessary to see the bone level and to be able to see whether there is any tooth decay (caries) between the teeth further back in the mouth. In the front region, a dentist can normally find caries between teeth without any dental x-rays. Appointment for the Dentist

Dr. Mikael Kahn will check your occlusion (how the upper & lower teeth fit together when you close your mouth), your TMJ (the joint which sits immediately in front of your ear) for stability or any clicking sounds and check your mouth as a whole for any abnormalities.

If you have questions about your oral health, your examination is a good time to ask.  Many patients use that time to ask about cosmetic procedures – they want new crowns or a bridge, or they might want dental implants, and therefore, want to know whether they are a good candidate for implant treatment. This is also a good time to share with Dr. Kahn if you are anxious about dental treatment as a whole or any specific part of dental treatment, so adjustments can be made appropriately.

Even if you are partially edentulous, or no longer have teeth, it is still important to have a consultation with your dentist to maintain good oral health and have your prosthesis assessed to see that they still fit well, in order to preserve the bone for as long as possible.

Once Dr. Kahn has assessed your oral health, he will discuss it with you and let you know if you have any caries (tooth decay), gingivitis or gum disease (bone loss) or any other oral health issue, and give you suggestions for what needs to be done. If you are at risk then you may need more frequent check-ups, otherwise, he will see you in a year.