Signs that you should switch to a new dentist soon

Some people still think of settling into the dentist’s chair as a necessary evil—they’d rather not do it, but it’s the only way they can achieve optimum oral health or address problems with their teeth or gums. While it’s not a readily exciting experience, dealing with a dentist shouldn’t be an unpleasant encounter either, says dentist and author Dr. Kami Hoss. You should learn the signs that it’s time to find a new oral health care provider.

One sign is that your current dentist rushes through the session, not taking a full medical history before he or she examines you. A good dentist tries to know what going on with you before proceeding with checking your mouth, as your teeth could be reacting to a certain medical condition, treatment, or medication.

In the same vein, a dentist who doesn’t keep or track dental records might be doing less than her due diligence. Previous records, after all, help spot any existing or developing issues that relate to your dental health. It might also be time to look for a dentist if you are getting pressured into getting a full set of X-rays (even if you just had one recently) or a procedure that you cannot afford or haven’t decided on yet. Another red flag, according to Dr. Kami Hoss, is if your dentist isn’t careful about germs. If you see him or her being careless about the sterility of the tools as well as not putting on a new pair of gloves after digging through drawers and other areas, then there could be a risk of unwanted stuff getting into the patient’s mouth and promoting cross-contamination in the clinic. Kami Hoss, MS, DDS is the CEO of The Super Dentists, Acceledontics, and Howard Healthcare Academy. Read more about oral hygiene on this site.