Is there anything you need to do before a Dental Check-Up?

Yes. Be sure to tell your dentist about any changes in your general health, any medication you are taking, or whether your medication has changed since your last visit. Talk to your dentist about any specific dental problems or concerns you have. You should also mention any stress-producing factors in your life, since stress affects the condition of your mouth.

Be sure to tell your dentist about discomfort, pain or other oral symptoms that you are experiencing. Your dentist will be able to determine what’s wrong, or refer you to an appropriate health care professional for further consultation.

Some adults suffer from dry mouth, which may be a side effect of medication. In addition to being uncomfortable, this condition can aggravate other dental problems and increase the risk of decay. Mention it to your dentist.

Tell your dentist:

• about any changes in your teeth such as changes in colour, looseness or position
• if your teeth or gums are more sensitive to heat, cold or sweets
• about any changes in your gums like changes in colour, tenderness or bleeding when you brush or floss
• if your floss catches on rough edges of teeth and shreds
• about any changes in the skin on the inside of your mouth, such as changes in colour
• if you clench or grind your teeth, or if your neck and jaw muscles are tense

It’s just as important to let your dentist know about your general health. Tell your dentist:

• if you smoke (smoking can lead to serious problems like oral cancer)
• about any allergies you have
• if you are pregnant
• about any medicine you are taking
• if your medicine has changed since your last dental exam
• about any health problem or medical condition you are being treated for
• about any other changes in your general health

You should also tell your dentist if you are nervous about dental visits. This feeling is called dental anxiety. Even people who visit the dentist on a regular basis sometimes get “butterflies in the stomach.” In severe cases, fear can be so bad that it keeps people away from the dentist and puts their dental health at risk.

Often, it’s fear of pain that keeps people out of the dental chair. But new ways of doing things have made modern dentistry almost painless. If you are afraid of going to the dentist for any reason, don’t be shy to talk to your dentist about it. Your dentist is trained to help you relax.