Questions You Should Ask Your Dentist in Asheville

Finding the right dentist is an essential part of taking the best care of your smile. But just because you’ve found the right Asheville dentist doesn’t mean you should stop asking questions. Asking the right questions can help you maintain an active role in your oral care and keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life.

The following are some of the most important questions that you can ask your dentist to ensure you understand how to take care of your teeth and gums and that you get the best possible care for your smile!

Do You Accept My Insurance?

If you have dental insurance, you’ll want an Asheville dentist that accepts your insurance plan. Calling the office in question and asking if they accept your insurance is a good starting point, but you may also want to ask what specific services your plan covers.

Should you not have dental insurance or you want to go to a dentist that doesn’t accept your plan, ask the practice about any discounts or in-house plans they may offer. Some dentists offer annual membership plans, which typically offer preventative care services and a discount on additional services for those without insurance.

How Often Should I Come in for an Exam?

Everyone’s smile is unique. Although every six months is a good standard rule for how often you should come in for an exam and cleaning, it may not be the right interval for you. Ask your dentist how often you need to be seen for a professional exam and cleaning.

Your dentist can discuss your oral health care plan with you and whether you need to be seen more or less often than bi-annually to take care of your teeth and gums. At the very least, you should see your dentist annually to get a cleaning, a checkup, and an oral cancer screening.

Do I Have Any Dental Health Conditions?

Not everyone will have an oral health condition, but it’s always worth asking your dentist if you have any condition you need to be concerned about. These conditions can include gum disease (also called periodontal disease), oral cancer, and tooth decay. 

Even if you’re not having any symptoms, you can still have the beginning stages of a cavity or gum disease. Your dentist and dental hygienist will discuss any conditions with you that are present during your regular appointment. 

How Can I Keep My Smile Looking Great?

It’s understandable that you’d want your smile to look beautiful for life. Let your dentist know what your concerns are and ask how you can maintain or improve the appearance of your smile. Generally, regular teeth cleanings will help keep your smile bright, but you may want teeth whitening in Asheville for a more dramatic color improvement, or even be interested in braces to correct the alignment of your teeth.

Your dentist or dental hygienist can discuss cosmetic dentistry options with you as well as regular oral care habits that will help you keep your smile looking great! 

Do You See Evidence That I Grind My Teeth? 

Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is an unfortunately common condition. People generally grind their teeth at night while asleep and aren’t aware of it. However, if you any symptoms of bruxism, including sensitive teeth, headaches, cracked or chipped teeth, or unusual tooth wear, you may grind your teeth.

Bruxism can permanently damage your teeth. Although you may not see any signs, your dentist can typically tell if you grind your teeth when conducting your oral exam. Ask your dentist if they see any evidence that you grind your teeth during your visit.

How Can I Improve My Oral Hygiene?

During your regular oral exam, your dentist can identify areas in your smile that need improvement. For example, you may be consistently missing certain areas when brushing or flossing. Asking your dentist how you can improve your oral hygiene can help you learn how to better care for your smile.

Not only should you be brushing your teeth twice a day, but flossing daily is essential. Many people don’t know how to floss properly. Ask your dentist what you can do to make your smile even healthier and brighter to impress them at your next exam!

Am I at Risk to Develop Certain Dental Issues?

Different people may be at risk for certain dental health problems. Some oral health issues, such as misaligned teeth, gum disease, and even the health of your tooth enamel can be hereditary. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll develop these oral health issues, just that you may be more at risk to.

Discussing your family history with your dentist and asking about your predisposition to any oral health issues can help your dentist better assess your risk for dental problems as you age. It can also help you and your dentist decide how often you should come in for an exam and cleaning based on your specific risk profile.

Do You Handle Emergencies? 

Most Asheville dentists see emergency cases, but this is an important question to ask your dentist. Should you ever have a need for emergency dental services in Asheville, you need to know where you can go and be seen on short notice.

Ask your dentist if they accept emergency appointments and what their protocol is. For example, knowing if you’ll need to wait for emergency services and if you can reach the dentist after-hours can help you be prepared for a dental emergency, whether for you or your family!

Should I Change My Diet?

Dentists aren’t nutritionists, but there is evidence that certain foods and drinks can increase your risk for tooth decay. If you have a cavity or two at your regular checkup, it might be a good idea to ask your dentist if you should change your diet. Your dentist can discuss your current diet with you and potentially identify areas for improvement to help support a healthy smile!

Have More Questions? Contact Us!

Whether you have questions about teeth whitening in Asheville or our emergency dental services, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Saunders DDS to ask us your questions. Call us today at (828) 277-6060, or use our contact form to reach us!

If you’re having a number of questions, but you’re worried about the time it will take when you visit the doctor, consider scheduling a consultation rather, so that you do not feel pressured. Call us at (828) 277-6060