What Happens in a Consultation at a Dental Clinic in Somerset?
If you ever find yourself experiencing a toothache, getting your tooth chipped or any other dental problems, then you might want to get a consultation at a trusted dental clinic in Somerset, like An Dental Clinic. You can try to wait a toothache out, hoping the pain would end soon, but often it’s just better to go to your dentist right away. That way, you would understand why it happens and how it happened. The dentist will also prescribe you some medicine or treatments to ease you out of your dental issues.
However, it can’t be helped that some people are hesitant or even flat out terrified of seeing a dentist. Maybe it’s just a deep-set phobia since childhood, or maybe these people just want to try to fix things on their own. Either way, it’s still so much better to just go and schedule a consultation with a dental clinic to ease the stress away.
Your teeth are one of the most essential parts of your body. When we eat food, before it can get to the stomach, it must first be broken down into tiny pieces so that it can pass through the esophagus easier. Our teeth do this job, with the help of our saliva so that our food gets “softened” and can be digested easier to give us energy to fuel our day.
Having a slight idea about what to expect during a dental consultation can help ease your anxieties about a visit to the dentist. So, what exactly happens during a consultation?
Dental Health Status Overview
The dentist will first check your medical records so that he/she has a better insight into your general health. The dentist will also ask you about your diet, eating habits and dental hygiene to get a clearer picture of your oral well-being. He/she will also ask if there is anything about your teeth or gums that’s bothering you so that it can be addressed. Be honest and firm about what your expectations are so that you and your dentist are on the same page with what’s going to happen.
Some common questions asked by the dentist included the ff.:
- How many times do you eat each day?
- Do you follow a diet?
- How are your brushing and flossing habits?
- Do you feel any pain or discomfort on your teeth or gums?
Oral Examination
Once your dentist has assessed your overall dental health and you have clarified your expectations to him/her, it will then proceed to the oral examination or checkup. You will be asked to sit on a dental engine so that the dentist can use different tools to check the health of your teeth and gums. There will be a lot of prodding, so just sit down and try to relax to make the whole thing easier for both you and your dentist.
The exam usually starts by checking your teeth for any signs of decay or cavities, as well as determine whether your teeth are more sensitive than normal. Next, your gums will be checked for possible gum recession or the presence of a periodontal disease. The dentist will also check if you have an underbite, overbite or a misaligned bite. Lastly, the movement of your jaw will be assessed to see if they are functioning normally.
Depending on the initial oral examination, the dentist may also refer you to get a dental x-ray to see if there are any misaligned teeth, cavities, or fractures. The results will be assessed by your dentist so that he/she can give a full and detailed diagnosis of your dental health.
Recommended Treatment Plans
Once your dentist has diagnosed your dental problem (if there is one), he/she will then prescribe an appropriate treatment plan to address the problem. For example, if he sees that you have some misaligned teeth, then he may recommend that you get braces or some invisible aligners to fix their alignment. If you have a chipped tooth, then some dental fillings/dental bonding may do the trick to fix it. In some more extreme cases, such as an infected tooth, you may be asked to get a root canal treatment to remove the infection.
For some common problems, like a missing tooth, the dentist may give you multiple options for the treatment so that you can decide which you would take. He/she will also detail the steps of each treatment plan to give you a clearer picture of what’s going to happen for each option. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the costs, treatment duration, and possible complications. It is important to be honest about these things with your dentist so that he/she can also tailor a treatment plan that’s perfect for you. Your dentist may also prescribe some medication for cases like a toothache or an infection.
Depending on the treatment plan and your decision, he/she may do the treatment immediately or schedule another appointment for it. You can always decline as well, and just inform the dentist about your preferred schedule. Either way, both options will get you closer to achieving a better overall dental health.
After the Consultation
Depending on your decision, you may have to book yourself for the treatment plans recommended to you by your dentist. If you’re getting braces or aligners, the dentist may take some pictures of your teeth so that he/she can prepare. In cases like a root canal treatment or dental implants, you will have to set a future appointment that’s convenient for you. There are also some cases, such as dental cleaning where the dentist may do it immediately afterwards.
Also make sure that you get the medication prescribed by your dentist and to follow the recommended dosage. If you are given other specific instructions, you should do your best to follow those diligently to achieve better results, such as on brushing and eating habits. Even if you’ve already had the consultation, it doesn’t mean that you should go back to bad dental habits. Finally, don’t forget to get the contact details of the clinic or dentist so that you can reach them sooner if you have encountered any problems.
An Dental
International Building (Next to Lido)
360 Orchard Road #03-06/07
Singapore 238869
6513 9549
More to Read:
Previous Posts: