Sometimes, your dentist does something that just seems plain odd. But don’t worry: there’s a reason behind everything we do, no matter how strange it seems! We’ll explain some of the things we do that may seem weird to patients and why we do them.
- Taking Your Blood Pressure
- Checking Your Tongue
- Examining Your Neck
- Measuring Your Gums
- Scraping Your Teeth
Why on Earth would you need your dentist to take your blood pressure? There are actually quite a few reasons. Sometimes, a trip to the dentist can send your blood pressure a bit high, especially if you’re a nervous patient. Your dentist will be able to monitor your blood pressure over time to rule out whether or not you have hypertension, which your primary care physician may not be able to detect themselves.
It also helps your dentist decide if you need something like nitrous oxide to help you relax during your appointment, and the proper amount of local anesthetic if necessary.
Your tongue holds a lot of clues about both your oral and overall health! If your dentist asks you to stick your tongue out and examines the sides and the area under your tongue, they’re actually checking for signs of oral cancer.
If your dentist or dental hygienist feels your neck, don’t be alarmed! They’re also checking for any signs of oral cancer, as well as checking your thyroid. If you have an enlarged thyroid or thyroid disease, you may have trouble swallowing, which affects your oral health.
Ever find it strange that your dentist takes time to check your gums, sometimes even assigning them different numbers? This helps them ensure that your gums are healthy and aren’t receding between visits. Receding gums are a sign of gum disease, which, if left untreated, can lead to tooth decay and tooth loss.
No one likes the sound of their teeth getting scraped, but it’s not to torture you! It’s a completely normal sound to hear when your dental hygienist is removing tartar and plaque from the surface of your teeth and under your gums, leaving your teeth cleaner and healthier than they were before.
If you ever have any questions about what we’re doing and why during your treatment, never hesitate to ask! It’s our priority to make your visit as comfortable as possible here at Jones Creek Family Dentistry. Contact us to schedule an appointment today!
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