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Your biannual dentist appointment is a great time to ask questions and get answers. Here are some important questions you should be asking your dentist.

Questions You Should Be Asking Your Dentist

Most people will set aside time for a twice-yearly visit to their dentist for a checkup, cleaning, and x-rays. These appointments are critical to your oral health. They keep your teeth clean by removing traces of plaque and tartar and can detect any problems, such as cavities, before they worsen. It's common for your dentist to ask you questions during your biannual appointment, but what you might not know is that this appointment is also a fantastic opportunity to ask your own questions regarding your dental health. Let’s take a look at some important questions you should be asking your dentist. By asking these questions, you can get the answers you've been seeking and take a more active role in your health.


How Can I Improve My Dental Health?

During an exam, your dentist will point out any areas of concern and explain what they need to do to fix them. Before you leave, it may be a good idea to ask them some follow-up questions. You can ask your dentist for a summary of your overall health, how to improve your daily care, and if there are any other areas you can improve on. More specific questions you can ask include:


  • Am I brushing and flossing correctly? If not, what's the proper technique?
  • Is there a certain type of toothbrush, toothpaste, or other dental tools that you recommend?
  • Is there anything that we need to keep a closer eye on?


Why Are My Teeth Sensitive/Hurting?

If your teeth are hurting or overly sensitive, it's important to let your dentist know so they can help you determine the root of the problem. Pain and sensitivity can stem from a variety of different factors, such as tooth damage, tooth decay, and whitening treatments. If you have damage or decay, it should be easy to detect during an exam or x-ray. Other causes may be more difficult to figure out. Once your dentist discovers the source of your pain or sensitivity, they can prescribe you medicine to help with the pain. They can also repair damaged or decaying teeth or give you advice on how to mitigate pain caused by other factors.


Should I Be Concerned About Gingivitis and Gum Disease?

Another question you should be asking your dentist is whether you're at risk for gingivitis and gum disease. Unfortunately, gum disease is common. Almost one in two Americans over the age of 30 have periodontal disease. When this disease goes undetected or untreated, it can lead to severe infection, tooth loss, and other serious health problems. If you're worried about gum disease, ask your dentist if there are any preventative steps you can take to lessen your risk.


If you ever suspect you have gum disease, make sure to mention your concerns to your dentist as soon as possible. They'll make sure you get the treatments necessary to alleviate your symptoms and stop the disease from progressing.


If you’re searching for a dentist in Riverview, Florida, contact Dr. Chris Castellano today! We're committed to providing you with the best dental services in modern dentistry and helping you achieve and maintain the bright, winning smile of your dreams.

What is a porcelain fused to metal crown

By chris castellano • 25 Jun, 2023
Porcelain fused to metal crowns (PFM crowns) are metal crowns with a layer of porcelain fused on the metal. This makes them almost as durable as pure metal crowns but a lot more esthetic. PFM crowns used to be the most popular crowns in dentistry for a long time. They are still used today, but nowadays ceramic crowns are preferred, especially for front teeth restorations. PFM crowns are more affordable than all-ceramic crowns. Even though they are not as esthetic as porcelain crowns they are still good candidates for back teeth restorations. They are used on: posterion teeth conjuction with partial dentures when durable metal rests are needed

What are the signs I need a root canal?

By chris castellano • 25 Jun, 2023
-Severe tooth pain while chewing -Your tooth pain wakes you up at night -Teeth that are highly sensitive to hot or cold, with the sensitivity lingering for some time. -Discoloration or darkening of the tooth -Swollen gums in the area of the infected tooth

How long does it take to remove all 4 impacted wisdom teeth?

By chris castellano • 24 Jun, 2023
Most wisdom tooth removal surgeries last about 40-90 minutes. Even if you're having all four of your wisdom teeth removed at once, the procedure typically takes an hour. If your wisdom teeth are in a difficult position or there are unexpected difficulties, the surgery may take a bit longer.

Do All 4 Wisdom Teeth Come in at the Same time?

By chris castellano • 24 Jun, 2023
No! All 4 wisdom teeth do not always come in at the same time, but they will always be the last set of teeth to come in. As a general rule of thumb, lower teeth usually erupts before upper teeth and teeth in both jaws erupt in pairs one on the right and one on the left. It is most common for the bottom row to erupt before the top. It is also not unheard of for the top to erupt first and it is also possible for one set to come in while the other doesn’t. Several factors can influence the permanent tooth eruption pattern such as Heredity, how they are growing and the condition of the tooth and size of the jaw .

Cost to Remove All 4 Wisdom Teeth

By chris castellano • 24 Jun, 2023
Multiple factors may influence the cost of a wisdom teeth removal . The American dental Association has about 6 billing (CDT) c odes to make the cases simpler for patients, insurance companies and providers to understand . Each tooth depending on which category code it falls to will cost $250 – $800 for each tooth for patients without insurance. Insurances typically pay less, and most offices also offer multiple extractions discounts when doing all four wisdom teeth removal during the same appointment.

Is it rare to have all 4 wisdom teeth?

By chris castellano • 24 Jun, 2023
No, it is not rare at all to have all 4 wisdom teeth in fact having four wisdom teeth is the most common. Some patients have less than 4 while some have more than 4. In this instance, the extra wisdom teeth are called supernumerary teeth. Having less or more is rare relative to the number of people that have all 4. So if you have all 4 wisdom teeth you are actually in the majority not the minority.

Do they put you to sleep when you get all 4 wisdom teeth out?

By chris castellano • 24 Jun, 2023
NO! You do not necessarily have to be put to sleep for all 4 wisdom teeth removal. All 4 wisdom teeth can be safely and painlessly removed while the patient is fully awake with the mouth Numbed with local anesthesia. While Most patients are just fine with a local anesthesia to pull all 4 wisdom teeth, this is not always so for all patients, especially those who have had a terrible experience or have a very high level of anxiety and low tolerance for pain. Discuss your concerns with your Dentist.

How do I properly take care of my denture?

By chris castellano • 17 Dec, 2022
Like your natural teeth, your dentures should be brushed daily to remove food particles and plaque. Brushing also can help keep the teeth from staining.  Rinse your dentures before brushing to remove any loose food or debris. Use a soft bristle toothbrush and a non-abrasive cleanser to gently brush all the surfaces of the dentures so they don't get scratched. When brushing, clean your mouth thoroughly—including your gums, cheeks, roof of your mouth and tongue to remove any plaque. This can help reduce the risk of oral irritation and bad breath. When you’re not wearing your dentures, put them in a safe place covered in water to keep them from warping. Occasionally, denture wearers may use adhesives. Adhesives come in many forms: creams, powders, pads/wafers, strips or liquids. If you use one of these products, read the instructions, and use them exactly as directed. Your dentist can recommend appropriate cleansers and adhesives; look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Products with the ADA Seal have been evaluated for safety and effectiveness.

Is it painful to get a root canal?

By chris castellano • 09 Dec, 2022
Is it painful to get a root canal?

Cracked Tooth Sydrome

By chris castellano • 09 Dec, 2022
Ever bite hard and experience sharp pain on a tooth? This could be due to a crack in the tooth into the nerve chamber. As you chew, the tooth will flex about the crack and rip on the nerve inside. If pain goes away quick (within seconds of release), the treatment is a crown. If the condition goes untreated, cracks widens and the pain becomes more constant. Root canal and crown will need to be done if the crack isn't too deep. Deep cracks can cause the tooth to be non-restorable requiring extraction. It's beneficial to catch this quick as soon as it happens to avoid costly treatment and pain
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