Discussing Long Term Care with Your Dentist

Talk to your dentist about your long-term oral health needs. Do you want to wind up needing dentures? Would you rather invest the time now into maintaining your oral health so you can keep your natural teeth as long as possible? If so, it is a good idea to clue your dental care provider in so that he or she understands what your goals and needs are not just for this dental visit but also for the overall health of your mouth for years to come. Do not assume he or she is already considering these factors for you. Current Health One of the first concerns for your dentist is to get your current oral health conditions up to date. This means handling any problems you may have. Gum disease and periodontal disease are the two largest factors that must be maintained because these cause significant decay over the lifetime of the mouth and there is no real way to improve the condition once the enamel is worn down. Once your current oral health is maintained, dentists can then consider what other goals you may have. Manage Long-Term Needs There are many areas where dentists can provide assistance and overall aid when it comes to maintaining oral health. This includes the following. - Determine the overall health of the bone structure in the mouth and determine if additional steps need to be taken to strengthen it. - Consider the use of crowns to reduce the amount of wear and tear on the teeth. This can help to protect the teeth long-term. - If there are significantly damaged teeth already present, it may be a good option to replace them with an artificial tooth so prevent other structures in the mouth from damage. - Determine if partial bridges or dentures may help to improve the smile or to reduce teeth decay on other areas of the mouth. - Educate you on how to maintain your teeth to a higher level. This many include more frequent cleanings, deep cleanings, root planning as well as improved oral health on a regular basis at home. - Provide information and resources to enable individuals to make their own decisions about their oral health. Often times, this means connecting with orthodontics specialists or other specialized providers. A dentist is more than just the person you go to in order to get a checkup and a cleaning. If you want to maintain your oral health for the rest of your life, discuss with this professional what your needs are as well as what your options are for freshening your smile and handling complex tooth decay concerns. You may be able to maintain a bright, white smile for years to come.