The wrong dentist can bring about serious dental concerns to your oral health. To be clear, a dentist who shows a lack of compassion, experience and professionalism can lead to a variety of dental concerns such as gum disease, cavities and worse. These are 5 signs that you may be heading done the road of life with the wrong dentist taking care of your oral health.
#1: Your dentist is using old technology and they’re careless about germs
If your dentist is using film instead of digital x-rays, that is a method that is no longer efficient. Digital x-rays are better because it results in less radiation exposure. Of course, seeing a dentist or hygienist adjust the light or hit a keyboard with gloved hands and then reach inside your mouth without putting on new gloves is not an inspiring sight and frankly, a disgusting sight to see! Instruments should be sterilized and stored in sealed bags before being placed in your mouth.
#2: No oral cancer screening? Doe he or she recommend extensive work?
Every six months your dentist should check your mouth for signs of oral cancer. If he or she doesn’t, find another dentist.
• Oral cancer is often rare but it does happen and has increased in the last two decades.
• If you have been going to a dentist often but your new dentist says that you have many cavities or that you need surgery to help with your gums, don’t do it. Instead, get a second opinion.
#3: Bad online reviews from other patients
Online reviews are a good way to get a feel for your dentist, or the dentists you are considering. Browsing at least a few different review sites to get a feel for a dentist’s online reputation is always a good idea. If they have multiple bad reviews from multiple patients, you should strongly consider finding another dentist. Keep in mind that some dentists do use online reputation management software to help them manage dental reviews, but these systems are not going to catch every negative review. Lastly, if you see a dental practice that has lots of reviews that are nothing but 5 stars, this may actually be a bad thing. Something that is too good to be true usually is, so there may be something funny going on if the reviews are all overly positive.
#4: Is your new dentist unprepared to show his or her work?
When you transfer to a new dentist and ask for photos of a cosmetic procedure you’re thinking about and they say that photos are not available, this is a sign you need to see another dentist. It is important to know if the procedure you’re interested in can be done well.
#5: Does he or she recommend removing amalgam fillings because they are toxic?
It’s a fact; most dentists no longer use traditional silver fillings; however, silver fillings are not dangerous—only if they have begun to corrode and are shrinking away from the tooth surface. Another sign of a bad dentist is how you’re treated when the dentist comes into the room. Instead of acknowledging you in a polite way, he or she says something like, “Open wide.” A good dentist should always treat you with respect and compassion.
Going to the dentist should be a positive and helpful experience. If your dentist treats you unprofessionally, find one who will treat you fairly and professionally. Friends, neighbors and other family members may be able to lead you to a good dentist.