Scared of the Dentist? Use These Tips on How to Overcome Dental Fear

Scared of the dentist? You can join the ranks of the countless whose most commonly lamented medical woe is a trip to see their dental practitioner. However, should you be ready to confront your fears – and overcome them – you can use these easy tips to overcome your dental fear.

Inform Your Dentist of Your Fears

By letting your dentist know that you are intimidated of dental procedures, he or she can make the best accommodations for you. Dentists during the modern day have many anxiety reducing options to make your next visit far more comfortable. Don’t be shy of discussing your dental fear with your dentist; they are willing to assist you.

Modernized Dental Care is Virtually Pain-Free

Bear in mind that leaps and bounds have been made with modern dentistry. Today, most procedures are pain-free and comfortable. With topical numbing solutions, you really won’t even feel injections anymore.

Your Procedure Explained

Sometimes it helps to know what is going to be done during your procedure. Your dentist will be able to walk you through it a step at a time. Many times, dentists are willing to talk you through the procedure as they perform it to induce calmness.

Relaxation Medications

Some dental offices even offer relaxation medications. So consider your options with sedation dentistry and anti anxiety medications that can help you remain calmer during appointments. Talk to your dentist, they have many options that are available for you.

Moderate Breathing & Relax

The calmer that you can approach your appointment, the smoother that it will go. Try meditating, and taking deep, moderated breaths at the time of your appointment. Relax and even wear a pair of sunglasses to shield your eyes from the bright light, and a set of headphones so you don’t hear the drill operating.

Create Hand Signs for your Dentist

Talk to your dentist about using body language to express discomfort. You can use simple hands signals if you need a break. You can also develop signals for signs of discomfort or pain during procedures to make your appointment easier.

Take it Slow

Ask your dentist to take their time during the appointment. This allows you to relax and break the ice more. And most dentists are more than happy to take their time so you can relax and make it through your appointment. A caring dentist is here to help you get the oral health care that you need. So don’t be frightened to discuss your fears and to ask for accommodations to proactively seek out the dental care that you require for good oral health.

Want Healthy Teeth and Gums? Four Simple Tips for Good Oral Health

 

 

Good oral health can be achieved and maintained by following four simple rituals that will help you enjoy strong teeth and healthy gums now and well into the future. The fact of the matter is that many people tragically overlook the basic tenants of proper oral hygiene, which results in countless cavities, root canals and lost teeth every year. By making a simple commitment to the following four routines, you can preserve your smile for a lifetime. Considering that these routines are relatively simple and easy to do, don’t put your smile in jeopardy by ignoring them.

See Your Dentist Twice Per Year

You should be seeing your dentist twice per year for a complete oral checkup and dental cleaning. This checkup helps your dentist identify any areas of concern and allows them to clean your teeth and remove any built up plaque and tartar. Most dental problems start out as very minor problems that are ignored by lack of frequency in visiting your dental practitioner. The goal of semiannual checkups is to find problems while they are minor and treat them to prevent them from escalating into major dental problems later on.

Brush Your Teeth Three Times Daily

While most dentists advise that you should be brushing your teeth twice per day, it’s helpful to commit to a third brushing. Ideal times to brush include: after breakfast and before work, after lunch at work (using a travel toothbrush) and before you go to bed. Don’t forget to rinse with a fluoride rich antiseptic mouthwash after each brush for maximum protection against germs and for fresh breath.

Commit to Flossing Twice Per Day

Flossing is the key goal in preventing tooth decay and in removing food particles that become lodged in the teeth. You should be flossing your teeth twice per day, in morning and in the evening. While flossing may be inconvenient, a toothache is far more inconvenient. Flossing only takes a couple of minutes—so commit to a strong routine for healthy teeth and gums.

Avoid Acidic and Sugary Beverages

There is a common misconception that sugar causes cavities. It is in fact the bacteria that feed off sugar and emit acids that wear down the enamel on your teeth that contributes to cavities. While you don’t have to quit sugar altogether, reduce your intake of it. For that matter, reduce your intake of acidic beverages like coffee and soda that can cause equal wear and tear on your teeth.

Good oral health can be achieved and maintained by following four simple rituals that will help you enjoy strong teeth and healthy gums now and well into the future. The fact of the matter is that many people tragically overlook the basic tenants of proper oral hygiene, which results in countless cavities, root canals and lost teeth every year. By making a simple commitment to the following four routines, you can preserve your smile for a lifetime. Considering that these routines are relatively simple and easy to do, don’t put your smile in jeopardy by ignoring them.

See Your Dentist Twice Per Year

You should be seeing your dentist twice per year for a complete oral checkup and dental cleaning. This checkup helps your dentist identify any areas of concern and allows them to clean your teeth and remove any built up plaque and tartar. Most dental problems start out as very minor problems that are ignored by lack of frequency in visiting your dental practitioner. The goal of semiannual checkups is to find problems while they are minor and treat them to prevent them from escalating into major dental problems later on.

Brush Your Teeth Three Times Daily

While most dentists advise that you should be brushing your teeth twice per day, it’s helpful to commit to a third brushing. Ideal times to brush include: after breakfast and before work, after lunch at work (using a travel toothbrush) and before you go to bed. Don’t forget to rinse with a fluoride rich antiseptic mouthwash after each brush for maximum protection against germs and for fresh breath.

Commit to Flossing Twice Per Day

Flossing is the key goal in preventing tooth decay and in removing food particles that become lodged in the teeth. You should be flossing your teeth twice per day, in morning and in the evening. While flossing may be inconvenient, a toothache is far more inconvenient. Flossing only takes a couple of minutes—so commit to a strong routine for healthy teeth and gums.

Avoid Acidic and Sugary Beverages

There is a common misconception that sugar causes cavities. It is in fact the bacteria that feed off sugar and emit acids that wear down the enamel on your teeth that contributes to cavities. While you don’t have to quit sugar altogether, reduce your intake of it. For that matter, reduce your intake of acidic beverages like coffee and soda that can cause equal wear and tear on your teeth.

In Recent ADA Oral Health Report, Americans Score Poorly

The ADA recent conducted a national survey to find out what the status is of the oral health in Americans today. The results actually showed that Americans have poor oral health and could be doing some simple things to better take care of their teeth and gums.

The president of the ADA,  William R. Calnon, DDS, who is also a practicing dentist in Rochester, NY, stated: “The results of the survey were quite shocking and really show how important it is for people to become more involved in their own oral health.”

So how shocking were the results? Pretty shocking. 90 percent of adults ages 21-64 surveyed were found to have cavities in their permanent teeth. Nearly 50 percent of all children ages 2-11 were found to have cavities in their baby teeth. And, as the study purports, the most common disease in children during the present day is dental disease.

In efforts to ramp up oral health care in America, the ADA has launched a new website: www.MouthHealthy.org. The site targets the average person and offers a handy dental IQ tests as well as plenty of oral health guidelines and tips on proper care of teeth and gums in efforts to better educate Americans on the importance of proper oral health care.

“Oral health is a critical part of overall health. MouthHealthy.org will help empower people to take charge of their oral health,” Dr. Calnon emphasized.

The national survey by the ADA revealed some interesting factoids about the oral health of Americans during the modern day.

• 90 percent of adults believe teeth should be cleaned after each meal, when the ADA simply advises to clean them twice per day.
• 81 percent of people believe that cavities are caused by sugar; when they are actually caused by bacteria that feed off the sugar and emit acids that wear down the enamel.
• 75 percent were unaware of the age when a child should be brought to the dentist for the first time; which the ADA says should occur six months after the first tooth shows up.
• 65 percent think that a toothbrush should only be replaced twice a year, when the ADA recommends four to six times per year.
• 59 percent of adults are not aware that cavity causing germs can be spread from person to person via oral-to-oral contact (kissing).

Need an Oral Health Checkup?

Dentists recommend that you should get a checkup at least one time every six months for good oral health. At Dental Design Studio in Arizona, we are your oral health care partners. Don’t put off seeing your dentist, stop in today. The purpose of checkups is to catch dental problems while they are minor and treat them early to prevent costlier and more invasive dental procedures. Call or click to schedule your appointment at one of our four offices today!

Only Six Weeks Left to Use Up Your Dental Insurance Benefits Before it Renews

The holidays are nearly upon us. In about a week and a half it will be Thanksgiving. With only about six weeks left in the year, it’s a great time to use up any remaining dental insurance benefits that you have not used up this year, and before they renew in January. While the last thing on your mind is probably dental insurance or a checkup, it’s a great way to make the most of your insurance before time runs out. Dental insurance benefits only cover you for the calendar year, which means that if you don’t use up your allotted benefits by the end of the year, they vanish and reset come January 1^st. It’s nearly like you are throwing money out the window, for all extents and purposes.

Yearly Maximum

Every year your dental insurance company will offer to help you pay for treatments. They cap the total they will pay out towards dental procedures at a certain amount that generally ranges between $1,000-$2,000; and if you don’t use up those benefits, they go away. Unlike your cell phone minutes, there is no rollover with these benefits, making it ideal to use them up each year.

Deductible

The arrival of the new year also means that your deductible resets. That’s the amount that you have to pay out of pocket prior to your coverage and annual allotment kicking in and helping you out. Many times this is about $50-$100 in fees that you must shell out before your insurance will start paying on claims. So it’s wise to use up your dental insurance benefits now to avoid paying this deductible in January.

New Year, New Fees

You never know, your insurance fees may increase due to inflation. You could see a higher deductible, or increased co-pays. Each year your insurance renews it will also be underwritten again. This can make for substantial changes in your benefits that also affect your wallet.

Have You Used Your Dental Insurance Benefits for 2012?

At Dental Design Studio in Arizona, we accept most types of dental insurance. If you have not used your benefits up this year, you only have six weeks left to do so. So contact us today to schedule your appointment. Don’t let your benefits renew without using them up; it is your money after all, and you’ve paid for these important insurance benefits.

New Study Shows Dental Implants Have 90 Percent Success Rate

If you want to replace missing teeth and correct your smile and bite, there is a fantastic solution that’s available to you that utilizes the latest and greatest advancements in dental medicine: dental implants. But how effective are dental implants, and what success rate or failure rate do they have for patients in the long term?

According to a recent study that was conducted by researchers at the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in the US, the success rate is pretty good, to the tune of about a 90 percent success rate. However, the success rate, according to the study, also greatly wagers on the dentist who is performing the procedure and their experience.

Common causes for implant failure include: improper care of teeth by the patient, smoking, bruxism (teeth grinding) and the type of prosthesis that’s being used.

To assess the efficacy of the study, researchers used the records of patients who had received full-arch maxillary and/or mandibular supported fixed complete dentures over a period of ten years.

Success Rate of Dental Implants Wagers on Dentist Experience

According to the study, the more experienced that your dentist is, the more successful that you can expect your dental implant to be. The records of patients who were treated with 297 implants at the school over the past decade were reviewed and compared.

• 12 percent of implants failed when the dentists had fewer than five years experience.
• Implants were twice as likely to fail if the dentist had completed fewer than 50 implant procedures.
• One-third of patients with diabetes or bruxism experienced failed dental implants.
• 90 percent of the time, overall, dental implants are successful, regardless of risk factor or practitioner experience.

Considering Dental Implants to Replace Missing Teeth?

Interestingly enough, one of our doctors graduated from the same school that fomented this study, Dr. Sweet, who graduated from the  Loma Linda School of Dentistry in 2002 (learn more about our doctors).

At Dental Design Studio in Arizona, we are your oral health care partners. With four modern, inviting and relaxing offices in central Arizona to serve you, we can help you maintain your oral health. As dental implant specialists, we are pleased to offer consultations for those who are seeking dental implants to replace missing teeth. Learn more about dental implants.

We also have a unique program where you can get same day dental implants right away. Learn more about same day dental implants.

New Molecule Could Cavity-Proof Your Teeth

 

Could it be possible that a simple molecular discovery enables the beta prototype for cavity proofing teeth, a molecule that could be added to cavity inducing products like sweets, candies, chewing gum and even soda pop? Considering everywhere that technology and medical breakthroughs have taken mankind, nothing is impossible at this point. And in answer to the question poised above, a solution of this sort is already well in the works.

Research Began in 2005

Back in 2005, research began on such a molecule. The goal was to develop something that inhibited bacterial growth in the mouth. Bacteria are what cause tooth decay. There are more than 100 bacterium that inhabit the mouth and that generally like to feed off the sugars we ingest. When bacteria consume these sugars, they emit acidic compounds that eat away or demineralize the protective coating on the teeth (enamel), and that ultimately contribute to tooth decay and rot. Additionally, bacteria emit an odoriferous compound that is the key cause of bad breath (halitosis).

Basis of the Solution

The hypothesis of such a compound would be to eradicate and eliminate bacteria that contribute to tooth decay and halitosis. Two researchers, José Córdoba of Yale University, and Erich Astudillo of the Universidad de Santiago in Chile, set out to answer this question and to see if they could create such a compound that combated bacteria in the mouth at the molecular level. They’ve discovered a molecule that does just that, something they have affably named “Keep 32.” It’s a powerful antibacterial agent that can be added to many types of sugary foods known to cause cavities. It takes about one minute to fully cleanse the mouth and prevent cavities from bacteria.

Human, Clinical Trials Forthcoming
The primary hang-up for the duo will be getting the Keep 32 approved in a similar category to fluoride; which helps remineralize teeth, and that works to combat Streptococcus Mutans (the most common bacteria in the mouth). The molecule is set to enter human test trials over the months to come. Pending the outcome of those trials, and the efficacy that’s established at the clinical level, it could very well end up being licensed to major toothpaste makers like Colgate or Proctor and Gamble. The only setback would be the FDA labeling this molecule as an antibiotic—which would place it in an entirely different and controlled and regulated category that may prevent it from being as widespread in use as the makers intended.

Four Simple Daily Tips for Good Oral Health Care

It’s a busy, stop and go world in which we live. Sometimes we can feel so overwhelmed by our day to day lives that it’s difficult to even imagine being able to have any time for anything else except for work and our family lives. But your teeth and gums need some love and care, too. So even if you find yourself always on the go—these simple oral health care tips can really come in handy for preserving your teeth, gums and smile.

Portable Floss, Mouth Rinse & Toothbrush

Stock up on your workplace dental supplies. A travel toothbrush and floss kit with miniature mouth rinse is all that you will need. Dedicate a few moments of your lunch break to brushing, flossing and rinsing. Your teeth and gums will greatly thank you.

Drink Water with Acidic Beverages

Many people like to enjoy energy drinks or coffee to wake up in the morning. The problem with these drinks is that they are very acidic, and acid can wear down the enamel (the protective outer coating on your teeth), making teeth more prone to decay, sensitivity and infection. The easy answer: drink a sip of water here and there when drinking such beverages; the water will help to neutralize the acids and prevent enamel erosion.

Use a Straw; Don’t Sip

As opposed to drinking any sugary or acidic beverages by sipping, use a straw instead. This helps protect your teeth, as most of the liquids don’t touch your teeth as they would when sipping. A straw is the safest way to consume sugary or acidic beverages.

Avoid Sugar

This one is an obvious dental tip, but necessary and useful. Refined sugars are the key culprit in tooth decay. That’s because bacteria love to thrive on sugars. There are more than one hundred bacteria that inhabit the mouth. Sugar is sticky and clings to teeth, making it easy for bacteria-laden plaque to form. The simplest solution: avoid sugar as much as possible when you are unable to brush or floss directly afterwards.

Need an Oral Health Checkup?

At Dental Design Studio in Arizona, we are ready to become your oral health partner. With four offices located valleywide to serve you, it’s easy and convenient to stop in at one. If you have not seen a dentist in six months, you will want an oral health checkup to make sure that your teeth and gums are healthy. Call or click to schedule your appointment today!

Learn more at: http://www.dentaldstudio.com

Dentists Nationwide Remind Patients to Brush 2x per Day, Floss, Use Mouth Rinse

You more than likely heard it before from your dentist if you are bad brusher: “Your teeth are decayed and we have to drill and fill some cavities.” The primary reasons dentists have to fill cavities in your teeth – or why you may suffer from other oral health problems such as bleeding gums, receding gums, gum disease, enamel erosion and tooth decay – is due to improper brushing, infrequent flossing, lack of using mouth rinse, and not seeing your dentist twice per year for an oral health checkup. Dentists nationwide are reminding people to revisit their oral hygiene habits. By adhering to a simple five minute ritual twice per day, you could easily get your oral health in check in a jiffy. And ten minutes per day for good teeth and gums is a small price to pay in lieu of what you could otherwise be spending on dental treatments and the possibility of getting a devastating toothache. So what habits do you need to embrace for good oral health?

READ FULL STORY

Top Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Postpone Dental Checkups

According to the ADA, a person should see their dentist for a dental checkup at least twice per year; and in some cases more frequently depending upon the nature of their oral health. The primary reason to see your dentist two times per year is to help keep your teeth and gums healthy with regular dental cleanings, and to catch any problems while they are still minor, and treat them, in order to prevent major dental problems from occurring later on down the road. While some people are really good about diligently seeing their dental practitioner, it’s not a long shot to say that most people are not so fond of going to the dentist. So before you put off that next appointment, find out why it’s so critical you see your dentist at least twice per year.

READ FULL STORY

Is Your Toothpaste Too Abrasive? One Research Firm Aims to Find Out

 

The toothpaste that you buy from the store is designed to perform several functions when used. It’s supposed to help you brush any plaque away using abrasive cleaning agents; it’s supposed to help combat bacteria that thrive inside of the mouth; it’s supposed to deliver fluoride to help your teeth remineralize; it’s supposed to help you keep your gums healthy; and allow you to enjoy fresher breath. But is the toothpaste that you are using too abrasive for your teeth’s enamel? Which paste is the best for enamel, and which one is the best for cavity prevention? A new evaluation method aims to shed some light on this matter and answer these questions.

New Toothpaste Evaluation Process

Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM in Hall has a team of researchers who aim to find out the answers to these important questions and ultimately present a new evaluation method and system for toothpastes. They’ve developed a new process that will test the effects of toothpastes and their abrasiveness so consumers can make better informed decisions on which one is best for their oral hygiene.

READ FULL STORY ON DENTAL DESIGN STUDIO's BLOG

Early Trips to Dentist Will Help Protect Your Toddler’s Teeth

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children should have their first dental visit by the age of one. The strange sounds, different smells, new people and oddly shaped tools and chairs can certainly be unsettling for some children, and can make any child nervous to visit the dentist. However, the most assured method of helping children overcome dental anxiety early on is by getting them used to seeing the dentist from a very young age.

According to Dr. Buddy Brice, a board certified practitioner with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, the younger that children become used to visiting the dentist, the better they are prepared for good oral health care, and the more easily parents can be educated, too.

READ FULL STORY ON DENTAL DESIGN STUDIO's BLOG