What to Expect From a Dental Appointment

Post by: Gerarda on 15 Oct 2020

When you visit a dentist for the first time for an examination (check-up) or if you have an appointment for a specific problem, the dentist will ask you various questions about your symptoms. Some include:

• What is the problem?
• How long have you had the symptoms?
• Have your symptoms been constant or sporadic?
• How often do you brush your teeth?
• Do you brush before breakfast or after?
• Do you use dental floss? How often?
• How often do you visit a dentist?
• What if any medical conditions do you have?
• Has your health changed over the last year?
• What medications do you take? Take a list with dosages.

Make notes if you have sporadic symptoms as sometimes we think we will remember how we felt, but over time we forget. It is important for the dentist to know under which circumstances you have pain.

If you have pain on the day of your appointment try not to take a pain reliever too close to your appointment as it can mask your symptoms. Sometimes the pain is so unbearable though that you need to take something. If that is the case by all means do so. With pain on that level the dentist will diagnose the problem anyway.

Remember a visit to the dentist is not something to fear. The dentist and hygienist are there to help and make your visit as pleasant as possible.

Take control of your oral health by scheduling regular appointments for a check-up and clean.

 

 

National Dentist´s Day

Post by: Gerarda on 06 Mar 2020

March 6th every year we show appreciation to dentists all over the world who keep our pearly whites in tip top shape. This day is also a way to bring awareness to dentistry so that people can learn how best to care for their teeth. It is also a reminder for those who have neglected their teeth or avoid going to a dentist to schedule a checkup.

Nothing makes a dentist happier then when a patient arrives and it is obvious they have good oral hygiene as they brush and floss regularly.

What the patient can do:
1. Decide on an oral health routine. Include both brushing and flossing and remember to floss after you have brushed.
2. Book that dental checkup you have been putting off. Ask your dentist to show you have to brush your teeth so you are not wearing away enamel.
3. If you have children, brush their teeth until they are mature enough to do it for themselves. Once you have brushed your child´s teeth, give them the brush so they feel they are doing it as well.
4. Smile and show off those pearly whites. It shows the job you do and that of your dentist.
5. Take a picture of those beautiful teeth and post it on your social media accounts.

Tips for a healthy dental routine:
1. Brush at least twice a day for at least 2 minutes.
2. Brush gently using elliptical strokes.
3. Use a soft toothbrush.
4. Brush after eating.
5. Floss after brushing.
6. See your dentist twice a year or as your dentist recommends.
7. Eat a balanced diet and limit eating and drinking between meals.
8. Limit the amount of citrus you eat and drink.

A visit to a dentist is a scary proposition for many people. Remember though, dentistry has come a long way from when Dr. John M. Harris started the world’s first dental school in
Bainbridge, Ohio in 1828.

Evolving dental technology and education are two of the things that make a visit to a dentist much more pleasant than in earlier days. That being said nothing beats a dentist who has the hands of a sculptor, the precision of an engineer, the eye of an artist and the experience to combine all of these professions to carry out either a simple or a challenging treatment and still make the result look natural.

That is in essence Dr. Mikael G. Kahn or as he is so affectionately known, Mikael.

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.