Visiting the dentist can be overwhelming sometimes, especially if your dentist is recommending treatments that you don’t quite fully understand. Here at our Winnipeg dental clinics, we strongly believe that it’s important for our patients to understand not only what treatments we provide but why we may recommend them and what you can do to keep your smile confident. To make sure you leave our chairs feeling informed and empowered, here are five questions to ask if you’re feeling unsure at the dentist.

1. How often do I need to come in and how often should I get x-rays?

Even though we have a standard answer to this common question – you should come in for cleaning and checkup every six months – depending on your individual circumstances we may ask you to come in more frequently. If you’re wondering why we’re suggesting a different schedule for your cleanings, checkups or x-rays, don’t hesitate to ask!

2. Why does my mouth feel like this?

If you’re feeling pain, discomfort or any other odd sensation in your mouth before, during or after your appointment, it’s important that your dentist knows about it right away. Often, we can spot potential gum disease, tooth decay or even more serious concerns like oral cancer based on early warning signs like pain, sensitivity or tingling/burning sensations.  

3. Why are you recommending this treatment?

Part of a complete oral health care plan includes advocating for yourself as a patient. If we are recommending treatments or follow-up visits and you don’t understand why, we encourage you to ask questions. Being informed about your health is key to keeping your teeth, gums and mouth healthy throughout your entire life.  

4. Should I make any changes to my oral care routine at home?

As dentists, we often have extra insight into any issues you may be having. While we never judge, we may have helpful suggestions on how to incorporate cleaning between your teeth, making sure you don’t miss those hard-to-reach spots or point out gaps in your brushing technique.  

5. How healthy are my teeth and gums?

Having a high-level understanding of your overall oral health can be very empowering. If you’d like to know more about how your teeth and gums are doing, feel free to ask! We’re more than happy to discuss how things are going and areas that may need a bit more help, while also giving you kudos for the hard work you’re already doing.  

If you haven’t been for a visit in a while, that’s no problem! After all, the best time to book a visit after a long gap is today. Just use the orange “Book Online” button to schedule your next appointment – we look forward to seeing you.

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