How to Advocate for Yourself at the
Dentist
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By K nvul Sheikh
The New York Times
Think about the last time you went to the dentist: Did you walk out feeling like your questions were ansewered, or did you wonder whether your provider was being straight with you?
Dental visits can be daunting — and not just because of the whirring drills. Dentists may seem to speak another language entirely, and everything they suggest can feel important. You must have a sealant painted on your tooth or risk bacteria creating holes in it. You must get an extraction because an oral infection has spread and is causing pain.
To get the best results and a more positive experience, experts recommend speaking up. Here are tips for what to ask and how to evaluate the treatments you are offered at the dentist.
Get a good look at the problems yourself
The first step to effectively advocating for yourself is understanding what your problems are. Ask your dentist to show you exactly where the pockets of your gums are getting deeper and letting bacteria accumulate, or which fillings are getting worn down by night grinding.
“You don’t have to get technical about it,” said Ellie Phillips, a preventive dentist based in Austin, Texas. “But I would recommend noting if it’s something affecting your front teeth or the back of your
“They could be the best dentist or specialist in the world, but if you don’t feel comfortable with them, that’s not going to be a successful relationship.”
Alyson Leffel, director of patient advocacy and social work at the NYU College of Dentistry
mouth. Is it on the outside, which is the cheek side, or is it on the tongue side?”
Visual aids such as X-rays or images from an intraoral camera — or even just looking in a mirror — can also help demystify what’s going on in your mouth.
Don’t feel pressured to agree to anything — even cleanings
Your dentist should be able to explain why particular problem areas need specific treatments, said Alyson Leffel, director of patient advocacy and social work at the NYU College of Dentistry. And it’s perfectly reasonable to ask them for time to research and reflect on your options.
Not every child or adult needs cleanings twice a year, for instance. Studies have found they don’t necessarily lead to better dental outcomes. Similarly, experts debate the benefits of extracting wisdom teeth. And old silver fillings don’t always have to be replaced with composite ones. If you feel uncomfortable pushing back in the moment, one way to give yourself more time is to schedule the recommended appointment
for a future date, Phillips said. Then you can call to reschedule or cancel later.
Ask what’s urgent, and what the alternatives are
Some issues, like an abscess, may need to be treated right away. But others, such as teeth that need to be replaced with implants, should ideally be dealt with over multiple appointments, Phillips said. It’s the dentist’s job to lay out a treatment plan that prioritizes the most urgent issues and avoids piling major treatments into a single visit.
As the patient, you can — and should — request detailed explanations of the benefits and risks of each treatment, what the recovery time is like, whether you will need to take medication to manage pain and whether there are consequences of delaying care.
“The more questions you ask, the more educated you will be about your dental treatment, and the less likely you are to be anxious about it,” Leffel said.
Experts also recommended asking about alternative treatments, such as antibiotics for managing gum disease
instead of scaling and root planing or surgery. There may also be alternative materials available for the same kind of fix, like porcelain, resin or gold crowns.
Get a second opinion
If you have oral surgery or another big procedure coming up, or feel uncomfortable with your dentist’s recommendations for any reason, consider getting another expert’s perspective. If you need your bite corrected, talk to an orthodontist. If you have pain or bleeding in your gums, seek out a periodontist. And if a dentist has recommended a root canal or a full mouth extraction, consult an endodontist or oral surgeon, said Craigg Voightmann, a dental
malpractice lawyer in Scottsdale, Arizona.
“If there’s a specialty that does the procedure, you shouldn’t have a general dentist doing it for the most part,” Voightmann said.
Beware of other red flags
When you first see a new dentist, be wary if they recommend far more treatment than your previous provider ever suggested. Not all procedures are strictly necessary. For example, some early-stage cavities can simply be monitored every couple of months and don’t need to be filled right away.
Avoid practices that offer steep discounts just to get you in the door or say they can do complicated procedures like implants in one day, Voightmann suggested.
And rely on personal recommendations from friends, family or dental professionals themselves. Ask your hygienist or dentist where they would go if they needed the treatment you’re getting, Voightmann said.
The best scenario is when your dentist’s treatment philosophy aligns with your own.
“They could be the best dentist or specialist in the world, but if you don’t feel comfortable with them, that’s not going to be a successful relationship,” Leffel said. “So you need to, as a patient, decide what makes you feel the best.”
Conditions that affect the oral health of
Ahappy and healthy pet can be a wonderful addition to a home. The unconditional love that companion animals provide is often well worth the devotion of time and resources that goes into ensuring pets live happy and healthy lives. Oral health care is one of the common areas of pet health that some pet parents overlook, but it is just as important as other wellness issues. The American Veterinary Medical Association advises that dental health is a very important part of pets’ overall health. Dental problems can cause certain issues, or they can be a byproduct of other health problems. Understanding some of the conditions that can affect pets’ teeth and gums may compel their owners to take swift action if such issues arise.
Gum diseases
Bacterial infections of the gums and other oral tissue can cause inflammation of the gums. If periodontal disease is untreated, Merck Veterinary Manual says tooth loss can occur.
Gum disease is caused by
bacteria that leads to the formation of plaque at the gum line. Pet owners should be diligent in brushing their pets’ teeth to reduce bacteria. Eating crunchy foods and treats alone will not clean teeth. Veterinarians also may recommend routine dental scaling treatments, particularly for breeds that are at elevated risk for periodontal disease.
Broken teeth and roots
Broken teeth and roots are most often caused when pets bite into something that is too hard. The Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center says pet owners should employ the “fingernail test” on pet toys. In this test, one should be able to make a dent in the item with a fingernail to mark it as safe as a chew toy. Antlers, hooves and bones may fracture teeth. Pets also should not be allowed to chomp down on ice cubes. Teeth also may become fractured through rough play, such as a tug-of-war session with a toy. Pet owners should carefully gauge the pressure at which they play such games.
Tumors
Oral tumors are abnormal growths that can form in pets’ mouths. Some tumors are benign, while others are malignant and can spread. All unusual growths should be checked out by a veterinarian. VCA Animal Hospitals says male dogs seem to be twice as likely to develop oral cancer than female dogs. Also, Akitas, Cocker Spaniels, Boxers, Dachsunds, Doberman Pinschers, Golden Retrievers, and Poodles are among the breeds that seem to be predisposed to oral cancers.
Bad breath
The most common cause of bad breath in pets is periodontal disease. Having pets’ teeth cleaned and staying current on oral hygiene can help. Additional causes of bad breath may include poor kidney or liver health, as the pet may be having issues filtering waste out of its body, says Apple Valley Animal Hospital. Routine vet visits can alert pet owners to potential oral health issues. Taking dental care seriously can help keep pets healthy.
Dental health should be a priority at any age, and is especially important for children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than half of children between the ages of six and eight have had a cavity in at least one of their primary teeth. Also, more than half of adolescents aged 12 to 19 have had a cavity in at least one permanent tooth. Cavities and other oral health conditions, such as periodontal diseases, are largely preventable with proper oral hygiene.
Parents know that getting children - especially young ones - to care for their teeth in the correct manner may require some help and then reinforcement throughout the
developmental years. However, there are ways to make dental care a more engaging activity for youngsters.
Use plaquedisclosing tablets
Show children just where they may need to direct more brushing effort with plaque- disclosing tablets. These tablets use food-grade coloring in them, which sticks to areas with plaque accumulation. After chewing the tablets and the child smiles, he or she will see the spots where efforts need to be ramped up. This can be a fun lesson as children will likely enjoy seeing their teeth covered in the tablet color.
Flavored toothpastes and mouthwashes
Mint reigns supreme in oral health products as the dominant flavor, but not all children are
enamored with that flavor. Most oral care products geared toward the younger set come in different flavors like bubble gum and berry. Kids can take active roles in their oral health by choosing the flavored products they prefer to use.
E lectronic toothbrushes
Children may enjoy using electronic toothbrushes because they are easy to maneuver and can even seem like a toy. According to the Cleveland Clinic, electric toothbrushes generally are considered more effective at removing plaque and keeping teeth clean. That benefits kids and adults because it potentially means fewer painful visits with the dentist. Make it a competition
Children love games and healthy competition between peers and siblings. Offer a prize (non-sugary, of course) to children who brush and floss daily for the required times. Extra points can be awarded for every dental wellness check that comes back with a glowing report. Make smart food choices
Engage children in lessons and choices about which foods are good for oral health and which may be poor. Sticky foods or those with a lot of sugary content should only be occasional treats. The entire family can work together to plan meals around foods that are good for the teeth and gums, such as crunchy veggies, leafy greens, high- calcium dairy products, and fatty fish.
Practice on pets
Pets need clean teeth, too. Children may enjoy not only brushing their own teeth, but learning how to keep their companion animals’ mouths healthy with brushing and care.