Ask your dentist
Questions for your dentist
You cannot ask a dentist a question through this website: the guide does not give consultations or see patients. What it does offer is a set of questions that are worth discussing with your own dentist. The notes explain why each question matters and what to prepare, but they do not replace the answer of a dentist who knows your case.
A question written down on paper at home sounds calmer and more confident in the surgery. And you can reread the answer later.
How this section works: the questions are addressed to your dentist. We do not answer them on the dentist's behalf; we only suggest why they matter and what it helps to tell the dentist about yourself.
Before treatment
What options are there in my case, and how do they differ in terms of care?
Ask for the possible routes to be described in plain words, and how each would affect your everyday life. The decision is made together with your dentist after an examination.
What needs to be done before the restoration is fitted?
Sometimes the gums and remaining teeth need attention before a denture or bridge is made. Ask what stages lie ahead and what will be expected of you.
How can I prepare for a visit if I feel very anxious?
Tell your dentist about your fear at the start of the appointment. Many people find it helps to agree on a signal for asking to pause, and to bring someone close with them.
What should I tell the dentist about my health?
Mention any general health conditions and medicines you take on the advice of other doctors. This matters for the safety of your treatment.
After fitting
Which sensations are expected in the first days, and which mean I should come straight back?
Ask for a list of signs that mean you should not wait for the follow-up visit. Write them down and keep them to hand.
What can I eat at first?
Ask which foods are best to choose to begin with and when you can go back to your usual meals.
Should I take my denture out at night?
The answer depends on the denture and the condition of your mouth. Ask what you personally should do and how to store the denture while it is out.
What should I do if the denture rubs or speaking is difficult?
Describe exactly where the discomfort occurs and at what moments. Your dentist will tell you whether you should come in earlier than planned.
About care
How should I clean my restoration properly?
Ask to be shown the movements during the appointment. If you help an older relative, ask to be shown too.
Which interdental cleaning tools suit me?
Ask not about a brand but about the type and size of tool that fits your gaps and restorations.
How often should I come for a check-up?
This varies from person to person. Write down what your dentist says and mark the date of your next visit in your calendar.
What should I do if my denture breaks?
Ask in advance what to do if it breaks: whether to keep the pieces and whether you can use the denture in the meantime.
Related sections
- Approaches
What your dentist does and what is up to you, plus the signs that mean a visit should not be put off.
- Care
Step-by-step daily care for dentures and implants: cleaning, storage and checking yourself in the mirror.
- Topics
Topics by group: fixed restorations, removable dentures, implants, gums and natural teeth. The article catalogue is here too.
- Glossary
Plain explanations of words such as crown, bridge, inlay, cast partial denture, abutment and mucositis.
What we rely on
- Advice from your dentist and the instructions for your specific restoration
- WHO materials on oral health (general principles)
This page brings together generally accepted information about caring for dental restorations as it stood when the page was prepared. Details are refined over time, and how to care for your own denture or implant is decided by the dentist who fitted it or who looks after it.