It’s never too early to receive quality dental care. Dentists have done an excellent job of keeping us aware of oral hygiene’s importance. Even the Sesame Street crew encourages kids to keep cavities at bay. Our Midtown and East Memphis teams want to continue that kind of education. With over 40 years of experience, Dr. Scott Edwards and Dr. Julia Prince have the necessary know-how and information. But what should you do if you’ve never been to a dentist? Or maybe you need a new one? Here are three questions to ask before choosing a dentist.
Know What You’re Looking For
Finding someone to take care of your teeth might feel daunting. Especially if you’ve been unsatisfied with your past experiences. Feel free to write down a list of questions you’d like to ask a dentist. We recommend starting with the following:
- What do current or former patients say?
- What kinds of services and treatments do they offer?
- What qualifies them to have you as a patient?
Hunt Down Current or Former Patients
A dental service might tell you what they want you to hear about their work. But what about the regular people who’ve been to see them? Indeed their opinions have to count for something! Satisfied customers yield income for dentists. Since you’re the one paying for the service, your feedback matters.
Look through your network and ask for personal referrals for a local dentist’s office. Chances are, someone you know can suggest a quality office. If the same dentist’s name comes up more than once, now you’ve got somewhere to start! If that doesn’t work out, try asking your network for recommendations via social media.
Use Social Media and Google to Your Advantage
Speaking of social media, it can offer you input on selecting your next dentist. Curious about a provider? Google them! Social media channels like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn can give you access to customer reviews. But don’t forget about Google itself. Googling a dentist’s name can also show you their Google reviews.
Not sure how to do that? No worries, we will show you how. Head over to Google. For our example, search for “scott edwards dds.” You’ll see a row of gold stars next to a rating. As of this blog post, we have a rating of 4.9 out of 327 reviews. Those reviews come from real, flesh-and-blood human beings just like you. That’s how you know you can trust these reviews.
Ask About Treatments and Services
You’ve established some solid recommendations from either your network or from online reviews. Now, you’re ready to ask a second important question. You need to know what treatments and services a dentist’s office provides. Our teams in East Memphis and Midtown give patients access to the following services:
- General hygiene visits
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Zoom! Whitening
- Invisalign
- Crowns
- Bonding
General Hygiene Visits
Your teeth need routine checkups and cleanings. Dr. Edwards and Dr. Prince suggest you schedule one of these exams every six months. Depending on your exam results, the doctors may schedule a digital X-ray. Even though you’re brushing and flossing well, you’ll still receive a regular cleansing. We do this every time you come in to ensure plaque doesn’t creep up on you…blegh!
Cosmetic Dentistry
One of the first things we see when we meet new people is their smiles. Many of the patients at our Midtown and East Memphis locations report being insecure about the color of their smiles. We understand that life happens to you. It happens to your teeth too. Cosmetic options can improve your smile and how you feel about your smile.
Zoom! Whitening
Need to whiten your teeth in a hurry? Zoom! Whitening can do just that! In as little as 2 hours, your smile can lighten by eight shades. You can be into our office and back out again to show the world your gleaming new grin. If you’re considering this treatment, Dr. Edwards and Dr. Prince suggest you begin brushing with a sensitivity formula toothpaste (roughly two weeks before your first day of treatment).
Invisalign
Perhaps the most convenient way to straighten your smile is with Invisalign. One standout feature of Invisalign is that it functions much like a retainer rather than braces. You can’t take them off to eat or brush your teeth when you wear braces. But since Invisalign is a removable retainer, you have the added perk of being able to take it out when you have a meal or get ready to brush and floss. These activities might not be as easy with more traditional braces.
Crowns
Give yourself the royal treatment! Crowns improve not only the appearance of your teeth but also their strength. Think of a crown like a customized shield that slides over a chipped or broken tooth. Furthermore, crowns can help conceal implants.
Bonding
The outer layer of your tooth is called “enamel.” Beneath that is a layer, we refer to as “dentin.” When the enamel is breached or cracked, you’ll need help from a dentist to fix it. To do that, our team will adhere a porcelain resin to the remaining portion of your tooth. We bond the resin to your tooth.
What Qualifies a Dentist to Help You?
Your teeth are essential. So, think of a dentist as a consultant. A dentist is someone you hire to give you the best possible dental care. If you were interviewing dentists, what kind of things would you want to know? Why their qualifications, of course! Ask your dentist questions like:
- Where did they go to dental school?
- Where did they complete their residency?
- How long have they been practicing?
But behind the education and schooling is a more profound matter. And that is the purpose. Remember…mouths can be gross. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 700 different microbes live in the human mouth. Why would a person want to spend all their working hours dealing with microscopic bacteria and fungi? Ask your dentist about the reasons why they do what they do. What meaning do they find in their work? Beneath the simple need to work and pay bills, what value do they see in their career? Find that out, and you’ll likely identify your new dentist.
Let Us Do More Than Answer Questions
Now, you have the information you need to find a dentist of the caliber you’re looking for. Patients of the East Memphis and Midtown locations of Scott Edwards Cosmetic and Family Dentistry know that we exceed that caliber. Not only do our teams commit to answering all your concerns, but we’re also dedicated to elite, top-tier service.
Go here to schedule an appointment straight away.