Aspekt Tulastoman independent guide to dental health

An independent guide to oral health. This is not a dental clinic website, it does not book appointments and it does not replace an examination by a dentist. For severe pain, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, call 112 or 103 (in Russia; 112 also works across the EU).

Ask your dentist

Ask your dentist

This site has no dentists answering readers and no form for sending questions. Instead, here are questions worth asking your own dentist, with short notes on why they are worth asking. Only a dentist who has examined you can give the answer that fits your case.

It is easier for a dentist to help when they know what is bothering you and what you are afraid of. Saying it out loud is already half of a good visit.

— Editor's note

How this section works: these are questions for your own dentist, arranged by stage: the check-up, preparing for treatment and life afterwards. The notes are general and are not a consultation.

At the check-up

How would you assess the state of my teeth and gums?

Ask the dentist to describe what they see in plain words and to show you any problem areas in a mirror or on an X-ray, if one was taken.

Am I brushing correctly?

A dentist or hygienist can look at the plaque, show you which areas you miss and suggest what to use between your teeth.

How often should I come for a check-up?

How often you need preventive visits is decided individually. Ask your dentist to tell you your interval and explain what it depends on.

Should I change anything in my diet or habits?

Mention snacks, sugary drinks and smoking. That makes it easier for your dentist to give advice that fits you.

Before treatment

What treatment options are there?

Find out about the different options, if there are several, and how they differ in the extent of the procedure, timing and aftercare.

What happens if I wait?

The answer helps you understand the urgency. Sometimes treatment can be put off, and sometimes waiting leads to a more complex procedure.

Will it hurt, and how will you take that into account?

If you are anxious, say so in advance. The dentist will explain how the procedure is numbed, and you can agree on a signal for a pause.

What am I signing?

Before a procedure you give informed voluntary consent (in Russia this is required by Federal Law No. 323-FZ). You are entitled to read the document, ask questions and get clear answers before signing.

After treatment

How should I look after the tooth after the procedure?

Ask when you can eat, what to brush with and which sensations in the first few days are expected.

Which signs should worry me?

Ask the dentist to list the symptoms that mean you should contact the clinic before your scheduled visit.

When should I come for a follow-up?

Write down the date the dentist gives you and ask what exactly will be checked.

Can I have a copy of the treatment plan or a summary?

Records of the treatment you have had are useful if you change dentist or clinic. Ask how to get them.

  • Methods

    The kinds of dental care, how to discuss a treatment plan and which promises not to trust.

  • Prevention

    Home dental care step by step: brush, fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth, sugar and tobacco.

  • Glossary

    Words from the dental surgery and paperwork: enamel, pulp, plaque, filling, treatment plan.

Sources

  • Federal Law No. 323-FZ “On the Fundamentals of Health Protection of Citizens in the Russian Federation”
  • Emergency numbers in Russia: 112 and 103

Information is current as of the date prepared. Oral-care recommendations, the scope of dental care covered by Russia's compulsory medical insurance (OMS) and the rules for medical paperwork may change. Check the current documents and ask your dental clinic or insurer for details; arrangements differ in other countries.