Okemos, Lansing, East Lansing MI
Routine appointments with your family dentist in Okemos are great opportunities to make sure your dental health is in tip-top shape for the next six months and into the future. If you’ve had any questions in the past half a year, your time in our dentist’s chair is the perfect time to ask them! But maybe you want to take control of your oral health and don’t know where to start or what questions to ask. Fortunately, our dental team, under the leadership of Dr. Christine Tenaglia, is a wealth of information with lots of advice to share.
If you’re not sure about where to start, we’ve compiled a list of questions in this article that our patients frequently ask us. These five questions can help give you an idea of what to ask Dr. Tenaglia at your next appointment.
Should I be doing more?
After a thorough dental exam, Dr. Tenaglia and our dental staff will be able to inform you of any issues that may have come up during your check-up. But sometimes — especially if you’re practicing good oral health practices at home — your appointment will be a brief “in-and-out” checkup. (That’s what we all strive for!)
But perhaps you want to know a bit more details about your dental health so that you can fine-tune your focus on areas of improvement for the next six months.
This is the time to ask Dr. Tenaglia:
- How is my overall oral health?
- Should I do anything more to improve it?
- How can I maintain my gum health?
What’s the best toothbrush and toothpaste?
Some people like a hard-bristled toothbrush because they feel like it cleans better. Most family dentists, however — including ours in Lansing — recommend soft-bristled brushes. The harder, stiffer bristles on the other toothbrushes can scratch the enamel of your teeth and damage your gum tissue if you’re an overzealous brusher. But remember that it’s best that you ask Dr. Tenaglia for a personal recommendation. Many dentists will suggest brushing with an electric toothbrush. And if you have specific issues like sensitive teeth, Dr. Tenaglia may recommend brushing with a toothpaste that has specific ingredients to help. If your priority is to maintain a bright, white smile, ask our dental team for a toothpaste recommendation that will keep your teeth pearly white.
Should I use mouthwash?
A mouthwash approved by the American Dental Association can boost your oral health regime, but rinsing with mouthwash does not replace brushing and flossing. At your next checkup, ask Dr. Tenaglia for a mouthwash recommendation if you’d like to add it to boost your oral health. Also ask for specific instructions for use and about any potential downsides to rinsing with mouthwash after brushing, such as temporary numbness or sensitivity.
What causes tooth sensitivity?
If you’ve experienced tooth sensitivity in the last six months, now is the time to ask your East Lansing family dentist what is causing it and how to prevent it. Tooth sensitivity can be caused by receding gums, thinning enamel, cavities, broken fillings or cracked teeth. If you take good care of your teeth and eat a proper diet but still have tooth sensitivity, be sure to mention this at your next dentist appointment with Dr. Tenaglia. Addressing the issue could be as simple as switching your toothpaste to one that is specially formulated for tooth sensitivity.
How can I whiten my teeth?
Many of our patients have this question, and we usually have more than one answer. The first piece of advice that our aesthetic dental team will usually give is to brush with toothpaste that is formulated to help whiten teeth. If this doesn’t provide the results you want, then we will likely recommend a professional teeth whitening treatment. We can dramatically improve the brightness and whiteness of your smile in as little as one visit to our office.
Family Dentistry in Lansing, East Lansing and Okemos
Perhaps you have your own, specific questions you’d like to ask Dr. Tenaglia. We love it when our patients ask questions! Be sure you know the date of your next regular appointment; if you don’t have an appointment scheduled, or if you’re between routine checkups and have any questions at all, please give Tenaglia Smiles a call at (517) 940-8684, or reach out to us online today.