Start Young Bring your child to the dentist as early as possible. The more familiar they are with the environment the more comfortable they will be when it actually comes time for a cleaning. Even if they come as a guest of you or a sibling getting them exposed to the atmosphere is extremely beneficial to their own opinion and feelings about the dentist. Play Pretend Dentist Visit Children have very vivid imaginations so put their minds to good use by making a trip to the dentist within the comfort of you own home. Doing this around the time they brush their teeth can help because then oral hygiene doesn’t feel like a chore: it feels like a game. Hold up a mirror for them to hold and use safe items like Q-tips or even their toothbrush to act like a dentist. Remember to be gentle and fun! If they ask and you are comfortable let them try it on you too. Children can become much more comfortable with an activity if they follow your example. Avoid Scary Words Children can be easily intimidated by vocabulary they dont understand. Allow your dentist and his or her hygienists to develop a language with your child that they will feel comfortable and adapt to that. Additionally scary words to children could be too many reassurances. Avoid saying that everything will be fine, because if you child ends up needing a treatment, he might lose trust in both the dentist and you, advises Joel H. Berg, D.D.S., M.S., Director of the Department of Dentistry at Seattle Childrens Hospital. If your child starts to ask questions about visiting the dentist, give them straightforward, honest answers but dont use too much detail or jargon. Avoid Telling Your Own Stories Though you might think this will help them relax, dont tell your child detailed accounts of your own dentist visits. Though it seems inconsequential to you, a single slip could frighten your child about his or her experience. If they ask you if you have been to the dentist before, simply tell them yes, and it is nothing to be afraid of. Dont Bribe Bribing children to get what you want them to do can cause stress in your child. They will think that there is a reason for them to be scared or worried about going to the dentist. Offering emotional support will be more useful to your child than a lollipop or another toy. Consider a Pediatric Dentist If your child feels particularly frightened by the family dentist a pediatric dentist office may help them feel at home more. An office with games and a childrens waiting area will put them at ease before their appointment. Be cautious though of other children in the waiting room; if they see another child visibly upset it could manipulate their own fears. If this happens simply remove your child from that stressful environment. Emphasize Oral Hygiene Oral hygiene is like homework for the dentist; explain to your child that he or she wants to do well and that dentist trips will be even easier if they regularly take care of their teeth. Additionally good dental care is as important to their health as a exercise is.
Recent research has begun to mount linking the oral health to the rest of the body. Did you know that more than 90% of all systemic diseases produce oral signs and symptoms? Oral health means more than just an attractive smile. Poor oral health and untreated oral diseases and conditions can have a significant impact on quality of life. In many cases, the condition of the mouth is a direct sign of the condition of the body as a whole. This means that it is even more important to seek regular dental care as your dentist might the one to notice oral signs of systemic disease developing. Systemic Disease With Associated Oral Symptoms -Heart Disease/Stroke – Recent research has proven a link between periodontal disease and heart disease. The research results find that the bacteria present in periodontal disease does not just stay in the mouth but can move and travel throughout the body. It is believed that the bacteria moves from brushing, flossing, or eating and causes inflammation. The process of inflammation that affects the tissues in the mouth are what causes the heart disease issues. In periodontal disease, the body goes into an inflammatory state to rid the offending bacteria but in the process they are destroying good tissues and bone. When bacteria goes mobile and travels throughout the body, this bacteria can irritate the arteries which in turn will respond by creating arterial plaques. These plaques lead to decreased or blocked blood flow which in turn can cause a heart attack. -Diabetes – Diabetic patients are unique in that their disease reduces the body’s ability to fight infection. This reduced ability can lead to an increased occurence of periodontal disease. Diabetic patients need to increase their at home dental hygieneas well as see their dentist more often to ensure they do not succumb to their disease. Diabetics may experience burning mouth syndrome and fungal infections, such as thrush and oral candidiasis. Dry mouth may also develop, causing an increased incidence of tooth decay. To prevent problems with bacterial infections in the mouth, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics, prescription mouth rinses, and more frequent dental cleanings. -Gastrointestinal Diseases – These diseases include Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis, and Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD). The oral cavity is the portal of entry to the GI tract. In the case of GERD it is not uncommon to see tooth enamel erosion from the acids in the stomach entering the mouth and for the other diseases, the presence of regular ulcers can be a sign of colitis or Crohn’s disease. Obviously these ulcers alone would not be a diagnosis for them in absence of other symptoms. -Hematologic (Blood) Disorders - Mucosal conditions, such as glossitis, recurrent aphthae, candidal infections, and angular stomatitis may be more common in patients with anemia. Glossitis can be the first sign of a folate or vitamin B-12 deficiency. The tongue appears red, and the papillae produce a smooth appearance. Angular stomatitis is commonly caused by a candidal infection, and it has been linked to a deficiency in iron. If the anemia persists, a person may have decreased resistance to infection. -Sjogren Syndrome – This disease predominantly affects women (9 women to 1 man) and primarily affects those over age 50. Oral changes can include difficulty in swallowing and eating, changes in taste and speech, increased tooth decay, and an increased chance of infection, all due to a decrease in saliva. -HIV/AIDS – The oral symptoms include candidiasis (oral infection), Karposi’s sarcoma, increased herpes outbreaks, as well as human papilloma virus (HPV) infections. Conclusion The above list is by no means comprehensive, but it goes to show you how various diseases affecting different parts of the body can appear and affect the mouth. Scientific research continually furthers the evidence that the mouth is a window to your health. While your dentist may not be able to definitively diagnose any of the above diseases they can be an early communicator of the symptoms developing to give you a better chance of recovering from the effects of these diseases. Some believe that increased dental health and oral hygiene have led to an increased chance of autoimmunity to certain diseases and conditions. © 2014, Marielaina Perrone DDS. All rights reserved. Henderson Cosmetic Dentist
Sedation is a medication that is administered to a child to help them remain calm and still for a procedure. There are many forms of sedation and it can be done in a dentist’s office. It is important to note that sedation does not provide pain control. A dentist may use injections in the area where a procedure will be formed to prevent your child from experiencing any pain. Types of Sedation There are many types of sedation including: Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): This is a mild sedative that helps children remain calm and relax during dental procedures. A mask is placed on the child and a mixture of air and medication is delivered by breathing in through the nose. The medication may smell sweet. Within about five minutes, the sedation will begin to work and the mask will remain in place until the procedure is over. Your child will remain conscious during the entire procedure and may give your child a euphoric feeling. After the procedure is complete, the nitrous oxide will be shut off and pure oxygen will be run through the mask for about five minutes in order to clear out any remaining gas. Children should only have a light meal prior to the procedure. IV Sedation: Intravenous (IV) sedation is used when longer procedures are needed. A needle is inserted into the child’s vein either in the arm or hand. Medication can be provided as needed during the procedure to help keep your child relaxed. It is important to follow any pre-procedure instructions when IV sedation will be used. Eating and drinking are usually restricted prior to the procedure and are based on a child’s age. Oral Sedatives: An oral sedation may be given to nervous children. The medication can be administered through the mouth or nose and may make a child drowsy. Within about 20 minutes, your child will begin to feel the medicine working. The dentist will have the child take the medication once they arrive for their appointment. Make sure to verify any drinking and eating restrictions prior to the appointment to ensure the medication can work properly. What to expect after sedation Sedation can impact each child differently. The length of time it will take for medication to wear off will depend on the child. Their reaction may also vary – some children can be fussy or confused, some cry, and some feel sick to their stomach and/or vomit. These reactions are all normal and will go away shortly. It is best to just comfort your child until the medication completely wears off. It is important to use caution when eating or drinking after a dental procedure with sedation. The nose, throat, and mouth may be numb for one to two hours following the procedure. This means the child may bite their tongue or the inside of their mouth if they are not careful. Soft foods are recommended for the first few hours after a dental procedure with sedation. Your child should take it easy for the rest of the day and should not return to school. Be sure to follow your dentist’s patient specific guidelines for aftercare, as they will depend on the type of dental procedure received. When to call the dentist Sometimes children are sore and uncomfortable after a dental procedure. Children’s Tylenol or Motrin can help control discomfort. If your child is experiencing any of the following for more than 24 hours, you should call your dentist: - Severe pain - Severe bleeding of the gums - Fever - Vomiting While it is rare for these symptoms to last for longer than 24 hours, it is important to be aware of them and to contact your dentist if you have any concerns.
The next best thing to having solid teeth is a close to natural replacement which dental implants provide. Known for being solid and stable, dental implants restore lost teeth with the goal that it would look, feel and fit much like a regular tooth. Other known alternatives for teeth replacement are prone to break due to bone weakening and may interfere in regular activities involved in the mouth such as eating, smiling, talking etc. Here is a short list of different benefits that you can get out of having dental implants. 1). Dental implants are built to last for a long time. They are not just temporary replacements but are in it for the long haul. A dental implant is expected to last for a lifetime as long as it is properly placed and well taken cared of while other alternatives for dental implants are only expected to last for 5 up to 10 years. 2). Having dental implants make you feel secure as if you are still having your own set of natural teeth. You would have no fears or whatsoever that the implants would fall off while you are doing regular activities because they are firmly placed on to your dentals. 3). Your facial features stays the same despite having dental implants. There are times when a person’s face slightly changes due to placement of additional dental fixtures but with dental implants you can be assured that your look will stay the same. 4). Dental implants are designed to support bones that support the teeth and also prevent the possibilities of suffering from bone loss. With other alternative for implants, the bones aren’t stimulated causing the foundation holding the tooth to eventually collapse. 5). There is no need for dental implants to be removed from your mouth whenever you go to sleep. The implants are kept in place and can be trusted to remain in there despite different temperatures and mouth activities. 6). Having a dental implant does not interfere in the way you are able to speak and pronounce words. You will not suffer any form of slur from it as well. 7). You can go eat anything you want even with dental implants installed in your mouth. From ice cream up to your favorite hot noodles, dental implants can withstand varying temperatures from food that you eat. 8). The possibility of having tooth cavities is impossible with dental implants because there is no chance at all for cavities to be developed in replacement teeth. You just have to regularly clean the dental implants but you cannot any form of tooth cavities or suffer pain from it. Nothing really compares to healthy natural teeth but sometimes damage to the oral health is inevitable that is why we have to resort to dental procedures such as having dental implants installed to replace original teeth. Having dental implants is a way for us to enjoy our dentals despite losing some teeth.
Dental Anxiety - Abnormal fear or dread of visiting the dentist for preventive care or follow up treatment and extreme anxiety over dental procedures. Let’s face it, not many people truly enjoy going to the dentist. There are plenty who do, but most do not. We know it is good for our dental and overall health, so we go for that reason. For some, an irrational fear takes over, leaving them paralyzed with fear, and without the dental care they need to enjoy their lives fully. According to a 2009 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) almost 50% of adults skip dental visits due to dental anxiety. Psychology of Dental Anxiety Many dental related fears are developed when you are young and impressionable. Sometimes the dental fear is transferred from parents to their children. When a parent is highly anxious, they oftentimes elaborate on pain, needles, drilling, and tooth removal, causing the child to believe that this will happen to them also. For some, a bad dental experience can traumatize them for the future. Feeling pain, gagging, losing control, not knowing what is going on, or having unexpected procedure you were not prepared for can be very difficult to get over. Prior to modern dentistry, dentists and their instruments were given a bad reputation in real life, movies and TV shows . The instruments and techniques used to mask discomfort were less than ideal. In modern dentistry, the dentist is more in tune to patients dental anxiety and dental fears. These dental anxieties can be overcome with a concerted effort by the patient, loved ones, and dentist. How to Overcome Dental Anxiety Overcoming dental anxiety can take as little as one visit, or it can take months to years. It all depends on the level of anxiety or phobia a patient might have. The following are some tips to help overcome dental anxiety: 1) Find the “right” dentist. Not all dentists have the same educational training, techniques, or patience when it comes to patients with dental anxiety. Do your research, use the Internet or ask friends and loved ones for recommendations. A good dentist is one, who is able to communicate effectively with you, and put you at ease. Most patients feel better when they know whats going on and how its going to happen. Understanding what will happen in the appointment, and having a signal to stop whenever you need to, gives back control to the patient and takes the surprise out of the situation. You and your dentist will figure out what specific things elevate your dental anxiety, and find ways to work around them. Ask your dentist their policy on emergencies after hours. Many dentists do not return calls after hours while others personally answer calls after hours and even open the office if the situation is necessary. 2) Distraction. Oftentimes, redirecting your mind can set you at ease. Meditation can be taught to you by your dentist. Music can help if the noises of dentistry affect you, bring your ipod or mp3 player with your favorite music and listen during the treatment to distract your mind and relieve your dental anxiety. A soft “squeezy ball” can help, and give that comforting feeling of squeezing someones hand. 3) Take Breaks when Needed. This goes back to communication. Take the time out during procedures to compose yourself as needed. Have a predetermined hand signal to stop the procedure as often as needed. Some patients with dental anxiety feel claustrophobic after awhile and may need to walk around a bit, catch their breath, ask a question, etc. before finishing the dental procedure. 4) Be Open and Honest. Tell your dentist what bothers you most about the dental experience, or past problems that have increased your dental anxiety. For some, the loud pitched noises may be very difficult, for others it might be the smells of the dental office, and for others it might be a past painful experience. These issues can be addressed in order to make your experience more acceptable. In dentistry today, there are many techniques to deliver a more comfortable and comforting experience. 5) Consider Medication. For some of us with more extreme dental anxiety, a mild form of sedation may be necessary to get you through. Taking a medication such as Valium prior to your appointment can help you sleep the night before, and allow for you to actually get to your appointment. Generally, such medications relax your entire body, decreasing the sweats, heart racing, and panic attacks that might otherwise disable you. This is a wonderful way to acclimate yourself to your new dentist, and the dental experience. Over time, the dosage can be reduced as you gain confidence in your dentist and your own coping abilities. Plenty of patients, with time, can learn the techniques necessary to have dental treatment without medication. Dental Anxiety Conclusion Dental anxiety can be truly crippling. What we have to remember is, that if we want good health, dental treatment is necessary. Recent studies have shown definite links between our dental health and our general health. This means it makes our dental health doubly important for us to lead healthy, happy lives. Dental anxiety CAN be overcome and defeated with a concerted effort by dentist and patient. If you are suffering from dental anxiety, take that first step, and make an appointment to meet with a dentist well versed in treating dental anxiety and dental phobia. © 2014, Marielaina Perrone DDS. All rights reserved. Henderson Cosmetic Dentist
Having a toothache on a daily basis is definitely not a good sign as this might just be the starting of tooth decay. Some good dental clinics like Joshua Hong’s Smile Clinic in Goodyear, AZ take pride in educating patients on different dental problems like tooth decay. Please take advantage of such places & learn more about dental care, but for now, let us try & learn a bit about tooth decay here. Tooth decay can affect the following parts of your dental structure: Enamel:The harder, outer coating of a tooth Dentine:A bone-like soft material just below the enamel Pulp:The softer center of the tooth containing different blood vessels & nerves connected to the sensory part of the brain Causes of Tooth Decay Plaque is the main carrier of tooth decay. It is a sticky & clear substance that forms on your teeth, which contains bacteria that feed on food & sugars that you eat. Its symptoms include excruciating pain that can disrupt your life. A serious plaque deposit can cause a lot of problems, which your dentist can rectify with proper tooth restoration. Before tooth restoration is done, you will need to know the different causes of tooth decay in order to avoid it. The causes include: Diet - If your diet includes a lot of sweet products & foods that have high sugar content, you are at a high risk of tooth decay. These serve as food for the bacteria present in plaque. People who are fond of drinking soft drinks on a regular basis also have high chances of tooth decay as these drinks contain a high amount of sugar & acid, which is bad for teeth. Medicines - Different medicines prescribed by your doctor can cause a dry mouth condition called xerostomiathat stops the normal flow of saliva in the mouth. Saliva helps in hindering the growth of plaque in your mouth. When its natural process is restricted, it increases the plaque formation in the mouth, causing serious damage to your teeth. Another cause for this condition is diabetes & pre-diabetic conditions. Your dentist needs to know about all these things before performing any kind of tooth restoration procedure. Cavities & poorly formed enamel -Anybody with a cavity is definitely on the path of tooth decay as plaque in your mouth will deposit in areas where you have a cavity. After some time, the bacteria from inside the cavity starts attacking the roots & nerves, which causes sensitivity to water & other food items. It has also been seen that some dental patients have a poor enamel deposit on their teeth. While the cause can be anything, the effect is threatening as the bacteria can reach the dentine, causing serious decay. Oral hygiene -Not brushing teeth regularly & properly is also one of the biggest causes of tooth decay. While the toothpaste helps in creating foam like substance in your mouth, it is the brush that helps in cleaning the bacterial deposits on the teeth. Also, regular flossing is required to clean plaque deposits. Moreover, regular visits to your dentist are a must as he/she is the only person who can guide you to good dental health. You must also discuss with them the oral cleaning routine that you follow at the time of tooth restoration sessions. Precautions can always be taken to avoid any drastic situation. However, if a problem has occurred, a feasible & cost effective solution is required. While tooth decay is a serious problem, the good news is that it can be rectified with proper tooth restoration methods. Hence, consult your dentist to know more about this process & its different procedures.
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