Dealing with Dental Anxiety

 

What is dental phobia?  

Dental phobia is an intense fear of dentists or of having dental work done.

How is that different from just not liking the dentist?

Most people are nervous, uncomfortable or annoyed at having to visit the dentist. However, people with dental phobia experience severe fear to the point of panic attacks when faced with going to the dentist. They often avoid dentistry entirely because of their anxiety.

 

How prevalent is full-blown ("true") dental phobia?

Fewer than 12% of people have true dental phobia, while as many as 75% of people experience some nervousness at the dentist.

Should you tell your dentist about your phobia?

Absolutely! Being open about your phobia will allow your dentist to help you through it.

Coping methods: 

 

• Use a fidget toy. Playing with a plastic toy or beaded bracelet helps keep you occupied when you're nervous. 
• Ask for moral support. Perhaps a friend or family member will come with you, or will call you when you're on the way to the dentist, to give you a pep talk. 
• Distract yourself. Ask your dentist if you can watch tv or listen to
• music. Usually they're able to oblige. 
• Visualization. Imagine that you're somewhere else. Take deep breaths and try to really experience your new 'location'. 
• Meds. Ask your doctor for an Ativan tablet or try an herbal medication, like
  rescue remedy. 
• Bribe yourself. What's a small treat you can reward yourself with after your appointment? A new magazine? A visit to your favourite park? A manicure? Having something to look forward to can help you get over hurdles.

We can help calm your fears, give us a call!

Why Is My Tooth Still Bleeding After An Extraction?

Is your mouth bleeding? Seeing blood in your mouth can be alarming and scary, and sometimes that alarm is well founded. In other situations, however, a little bit of bleeding is normal. Here’s what you should know.

When is bleeding a problem?

Bleeding is a problem if it occurs when you brush or floss your teeth under normal circumstances. If you see blood when you floss or brush your teeth, it could be a sign of gingivitis or periodontal disease. Contact your dentist for a checkup.

When is bleeding normal?

While bleeding during brushing and flossing is abnormal, bleeding after a tooth extraction is normal and nothing to worry about. There will probably be some blood for a few days after your tooth extraction. Remember that blood mixes with saliva in your mouth, so it often looks much worse than it really is.

How can I help my mouth heal after a tooth extraction?

If your mouth does start bleeding after a tooth extraction, use a clean piece of material or gauze to put pressure on the bleeding area. Keep the pressure there for about 15 minutes. If bleeding is very severe, or continues for a long time contact your dentist.

Follow these other tips to help your mouth heal after a tooth extraction:

• Follow all the instructions given by your dentist. Sometimes this will include taking some pain medications.
• Do not rinse your mouth out for about 24 hours, or as instructed by your dentist. Your mouth begins to heal itself naturally and forms a blood clot in the area where the tooth was extracted. If you rinse your mouth out too soon, you could set back the healing process.
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth to help reduce swelling and manage pain.
• Keep your head elevated when you lie down.
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Be gentle, but don’t stop brushing or flossing your teeth while your mouth heals.

 

To learn more about what to expect from a tooth extraction, and for more advice about taking care of your mouth, visit Royal Dental.
 

Why a New Smile

Flaws in your smile, even minor ones, can have a negative impact on how you see yourself. That reality is backed by a course study showing that:

• 87% of adults remember someone with an attractive smile
• 74% of adults believe an unattractive smile can hurt career opportunities
• 92% of adults agree that an attractive smile is an important social asset

What Can Be Done? 

Today, using state-of-the-art cosmetic techniques, all of the following can be easily corrected:

• Dull or discolored teeth
• Poorly aligned teeth
• Exposed partial denture hooks
• Worn down teeth
• Teeth that are too long
• Teeth that are too short
• Cracked or chipped teeth
• Crowded or crooked teeth
• Gapped or missing teeth
• Visible fillings or crowns
• Uneven teeth
• Teeth that protrude a little

Teaching Your Kids Good Dental Habits

Teaching your kids good dental habits is important, but it can be difficult to motivate children to practice proper oral hygiene. Use the following tips to teach your kids about oral hygiene and keep them motivated and excited about taking care of their teeth.

Make It Fun

Find ways to make dental hygiene fun for your kids. Try one of the following ideas, or come up with ideas of your own:

• Give your kids a specific amount of cash and take them to the store to pick their own toothpaste, toothbrush, and floss.
• Play a song or a short, funny video while your kids brush their teeth. Tell them they can’t stop brushing until the song or video is over—this will help them learn to brush their teeth for at least 2 minutes.
• Describe the motion of a train’s wheels when telling your kid how to move their toothbrush in their mouth.
• Make up a fun story with your kids with plaque, tartar, and other dental problems as villains. Have your kids draw pictures of themselves as dental superheroes with floss and toothbrushes for tools. 

Show Them Why It Matters

Kids like to understand why they are asked to do things. Take them to the dentist and have the dentist explain the importance of good oral hygiene. Then, if they need the message to be reinforced, use a dissolving agent to show your kids the plaque and build up in their own mouths.

Set A Good Example

Setting a good example is one of the best ways to teach your kids. Make sure your kids know that you care about dental hygiene. Let them see you brushing and flossing your teeth—or better yet, brush and floss your teeth with your kids. You’ll set an example for them and be able to monitor their habits and correct problems as needed. Your kids should also know that you go to the dentist. If it isn’t practical to go in for an appointment on the same day as your kids, tell them about your appointment so they know that you value going to the dentist for checkups.



To learn more about helping your kids keep their teeth healthy, visit Royal Dental.