Lifestyle Blogger

How to Overcome Dentist Fear

A man a the dentist
Photo by Anna Shvets

We understand that going to the dentist is something that many people dread. While most of us appreciate the end result of dental care, few of us love the procedure itself or the potential for physical or psychological discomfort.

You might be putting off dental care if you have dental anxiety or fear. You may be so afraid of the dentist that you avoid going even though you're in agony and have cracked, discoloured, or missing teeth, as well as a possible infection.


While you may be ready to put up with some discomfort because it is small in comparison to other health issues, keep in mind that your oral health might have an impact on your entire health. Oral diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontal disease, spread bacteria throughout your body. Oral infections have been linked to cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, and poor management of other systemic disorders, including diabetes.

Fortunately, there are certain things we can do to make you feel less anxious, so you don't have to jeopardize your dental health.

  

Dental Phobia: How to Overcome It

If you want to avoid going to the dentist, consider the following suggestions:

Make your dentist aware of your fears. We value your sentiments and will work with you to conquer your fears, but we can't help until we know about them. As soon as you make an appointment, notify your dentist's office.
Photo by Sam Lion

Being grateful, performing acts of kindness, and enhancing one's health will pay off.
 
The year is already half gone and however, here's another resolution to add to the list: improve your health. This refers to your emotional and physical health as a whole, for which many individuals award low grades in national polls. However, we have recommendations to assist you in improving both.


 
1. Get happy
According to Dr Ronald D. Siegel, assistant clinical professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School and faculty editor of Positive Psychology, a Harvard Special Health Report, you have control over approximately 40% of what defines happiness. In comparison, only about 10% can be attributed to good or bad luck. According to Dr Siegel, it is not the events themselves that define our level of happiness, but rather our reactions to them. He suggests the following methods for enhancing your emotional health:
 
2. Be present in the moment
 When you're completely involved in something, you'll enjoy it more and worry less about the past and the future.
 
3. Be appreciative. 
Keeping a daily journal of gratitude increases pleasant emotions, optimism, life satisfaction, and social connection.
A tooth extraction process

A tooth extraction is the extraction of a tooth. A dental extraction (also referred to as tooth extraction, exodontia, exodontics, or informally, tooth pulling) is the removal of teeth from the dental alveolus (socket) in the alveolar bone. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, but most commonly to remove teeth which have become unrestorable through tooth decay, periodontal disease, or dental trauma, especially when they are associated with toothache. (Wikipedia)

While we try to avoid removing teeth whenever possible, certain conditions may necessitate tooth extraction as the most effective way to restore your smile's health and function. After the tooth is pulled, we are happy to give you one of our excellent tooth replacement treatments to get your smile back to its best health, beauty, and function.

Tooth extraction may be required due to a variety of conditions. These are some examples:

Infection. If tooth decay or injury reaches the pulp, the soft tissue at the core of the tooth that contains nerves and blood arteries, germs from the mouth can enter the pulp and cause infection. This is usually treated with root canal therapy (RCT), but if the infection is serious enough that antibiotics or RCT are ineffective, the tooth may need to be extracted to prevent the infection from spreading. A severe infection has destroyed a large part of the tooth and the bone that holds it in place that has irreparably damaged a tooth makes a successful restoration impossible
 
Crowding is caused by having too many teeth to fit properly in the mouth. When performing a tooth extraction, good dentists take great care and skill to ensure that your experience is as comfortable and painless as possible. Also, will also provide you with detailed post-treatment care instructions to ensure that your smile heals properly.

Pexel image

Some intriguing research suggests that positive psychology can help you deal with life's routine ups and downs and also build resilience for times of greater adversity.

Here are three ways to capture the positive psychological benefits.


1. Express gratitude. Gratitude is an appreciation for what you have, including a roof over your head, good health, and caring people. When you recognize the goodness in your life, you begin to recognize that at least a portion of its origin lies outside of yourself. In this way, gratitude facilitates a connection to something greater than one's own experience, be it other people, nature, or a higher power. Set aside a few minutes each day to reflect on five large or small things for which you are grateful. You may jot them down if you wish. Be specific and remember the significance of each item.

2. Capitalize on your strengths. Before you can reap the benefits of your strengths, you must first identify them. Sadly, only about one-third of people have a useful understanding of their strengths, according to a British study. If something comes naturally to you, you may not recognize it as a strength because you take it for granted. If you are uncertain of your strengths, you can determine them by asking a trusted individual who knows you well, by observing what people compliment you on, and by considering what comes most naturally to you.



Certain qualities are most strongly associated with happiness. They consist of appreciation, optimism, vitality, curiosity, and love. Even if they do not come naturally to you, it is worthwhile to cultivate and apply these qualities in your daily life.
Men are less likely than women to take care of their health in general. Men with dental concerns, Therefore, it should come as no surprise that men have poorer dental health than women. In addition to habits and lifestyles, gender variations also contribute to this phenomenon. For instance, men are more prone than women to having heart disease and high blood pressure, both of which can negatively impact dental health.

Specifically, men should consider the following:


How do you brush and floss your teeth at home?

According to the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Periodontology, men are less likely than women to successfully wash and floss their teeth regularly. As dentists, we recommend brushing at least twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, to prevent cavities and gum disease. However, fewer men than women follow this recommendation.

When was your last physical exam?


Men are less likely to seek preventive care for their dental health than women. To maintain dental health, twice-yearly checkups and cleanings are suggested. However, more men than women forgo preventative cleanings and visit the dentist only when they experience discomfort or another oral health issue.

According to our post on dental myths, cavities and other disorders may not usually cause pain immediately. Some problems create no pain at all. By the time you discover pain or a problem, the condition may be more advanced and complicated, limiting your treatment options and increasing the amount of time and money required for treatment.



You feel great, so what's the issue?

Unfortunately, men are more likely to get periodontal disease due to poor oral hygiene. According to the American Dental Association, 34% of males between the ages of 30 and 54 suffer from periodontal disease, compared to 23% of women in the same age group. The same is true for those over 55 years old, where 56 per cent of men and 44 per cent of women are affected. By age 72, the average guy will have lost 5.4 teeth. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, a smoker might anticipate losing 12 teeth by the age of 72.

Do You Use Tobacco?

In general, men are more susceptible to gum disease and oral cancer. If you're a man who smokes or chews tobacco, your risk is significantly higher. These goods include carcinogens that are directly connected to mouth cancer. Cancer can strike at any age, but 95 per cent of oral cancers strike after the age of 40. Detecting cancer at the earliest possible stage is essential. Typically, a screening for oral cancer is part of the examination that follows a dental cleaning. This screening is a sufficient incentive to visit the dentist regularly.
We all want healthy teeth and gums for a great smile, fresh breath, and an increase in confidence. But did you know that nearly half of all adults have or have had halitosis (bad breath)? It is one of the most common dental problems, but it is also one of the most easily treated.


Dental Problems
A girl brushing her teeth (pexel photo)


Here's a look at halitosis, as well as nine other common dental problems and their treatment options.

1. Caries of the teeth

Dental caries or dental cavities are other terms for tooth decay. It is the most common dental problem encountered by patients. Almost everyone has had tooth decay at some point in their lives.

Tooth decay occurs when bacteria form a film on the surface of the teeth called plaque. Acids are produced by bacteria from sugars in food. The acids eat away and permanently damage the tooth's enamel or outer layer. The acids then begin to attack the dentin layer beneath the enamel, which is softer.

This tooth breakdown can result in cavities or holes in your teeth. It can also cause toothaches, such as pain when eating or drinking hot, cold, or sweet foods.

  

Other signs of tooth decay include:

Breath that stinks.

Spots on your teeth that are black or brown

You have an unpleasant taste in your mouth.

The first step in dental care is determining the extent of your tooth decay and recommending a treatment plan. Fillings, crowns, and root canals are examples of such procedures. The extraction option may be followed by dental implants or dentures.

Regular (twice daily) brushing and flossing can help prevent tooth decay. Also, visit your dentist on a regular basis to have the plaque removed from your teeth.

Coffee Does Much More Than Just Stain Teeth


If you rely on coffee to start your day and keep you energized, you might want to reconsider your next cup of Joe. Sure, it's delicious and provides you with a lift, but it can have severe effects on your teeth.
 
Here is a look at how Java affects your mouth and what you can do about it.

 
Severe Teeth Stains
 
Generally speaking, if a liquid can stain clothing, it can also stain teeth. Coffee is also known to discolour teeth over time.
 
This is because coffee contains tannins, a type of polyphenol. Tannins degrade in water, causing pigmented chemicals to adhere to teeth. Because your tooth enamel is permeable, these tannins can stain your teeth yellow.
 
Fortunately, surface stains can be reduced with a thorough tooth-cleaning agent. Additionally, teeth whitening procedures and treatments can remove surface stains. But if the stain is older, deeper, or more complicated, veneers, which are glued to the teeth, may be needed to make the teeth whiter and brighter again.
 
Enamel Erosion

Unfortunately, foods and beverages with a high acidity level can erode dental enamel, and coffee is highly acidic. If consumed frequently, it can gradually erode tooth enamel, leaving teeth vulnerable to disease.
 
This also causes the teeth to appear darker by increasing their translucency. Without the whiteness provided by enamel, teeth seem darker in the mouth.
 
To prevent or lessen this erosion, sip coffee through a straw to avoid direct contact with your teeth, particularly the front surfaces. Furthermore, avoid swishing coffee in your mouth. Additionally, rinse your mouth with water after drinking.
 
It may sound like a smart idea, but you should wait at least 30 minutes after coffee before brushing your teeth. While the acids are still present, immediate brushing might damage the enamel further.
 
Any toothpaste containing fluoride will increase enamel's acid resistance. Choose a well-known brand because appropriate formulation requires much research.
Everyone is familiar with the fundamentals of oral hygiene, such as frequent brushing, flossing, and dental examinations. However, you may have heard other oral health myths that sound familiar but are not true.

Learn about some prevalent beliefs regarding dental health.


Baby Teeth Do Not Require Repair.

Although baby teeth are transitory, their health is still crucial. Primary teeth aid in eating and speaking. In addition, they maintain the correct spacing in a child's mouth and guide the emergence of permanent teeth. As with adults, healthy teeth and a healthy smile have a significant impact on a child's confidence and sense of self-worth.



Cavities are caused only by sugar.

Too much sugar can cause cavities, but it's not the only thing that can lead to tooth disease. In truth, the majority of cavities are caused by the acid produced by the bacteria in your mouth. Therefore, cavities are the outcome of improper dental hygiene and the presence of acid-producing bacteria in the mouth. This bacteria can be caused by sugar, along with bread, fruits, and vegetables.

Depression in Older Adults May be Prevented by Insomnia Treatment. 


Depression is very common among the elderly. According to some estimates, more than 10% of people over the age of 60 had experienced major depressive disorder (MDD) in the previous year. Depressed mood, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, difficulties concentrating, thoughts of worthlessness or guilt, thoughts of death or suicide, weariness, sleep disorders, unanticipated weight loss or gain, a change in appetite, and delayed or agitated movement are some of the symptoms of MDD.
 
What is the relationship between sleep and depression?
 
In someone with MDD, insomnia (difficulty getting asleep, remaining asleep, and/or waking up too early) and hypersomnia (sleeping excessively) are both common. Insomnia, in particular, doubles the risk of MDD. This is especially true for the elderly, as one study found that over 70% of those over the age of 65 suffer from at least one symptom of insomnia.
 
 
Why would scientists look into insomnia therapy as a means of preventing depression?
 
There is growing evidence that treating insomnia in patients with both insomnia and MDD can help them sleep better and feel better. In one trial done in Australia (CBT-I), participants with insomnia and MDD were treated with cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia. CBT-I is a set of tools meant to help patients treat only their insomnia, as opposed to other conditions where cognitive and behavioural methods are often utilized, such as depression. This indicates that the skills learned during CBT for depression will not help people suffering from sleeplessness. 61 per cent of research participants who underwent CBT-I from a behavioural sleep medicine expert felt better, and many symptoms of their depression improved—to the point where their MDD was declared to be in remission.


Pexel image

The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) demonstrated two decades ago that type 2 diabetes might be slowed or prevented in those diagnosed with early symptoms (prediabetes). A low-calorie healthy diet combined with at least 150 minutes of activity was one strategy examined to help individuals lose at least 7% of their body weight. Metformin, a common diabetes treatment, was another option. Both were compared to a placebo (fake) pill control group.

A new follow-up study looked at death rates from cancer, cardiovascular disease, and all causes in later years, and the results for each group were surprising in various respects.

  

What are the benefits of slowing or preventing diabetes?

Diabetes type 2 is one of the most common long-term conditions in the world. It can lead to heart disease, nerve damage, eye issues, and renal problems over time, increasing the risk of disability and death. If a person's blood tests reveal that they have prediabetes, well-tested strategies can help them delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. This could help individuals live longer and better lives.

What did the follow-up research reveal?


The findings of the original study suggest that both lifestyle changes and metformin medication can significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetes in people with prediabetes. The risk was reduced by 58% and 31%, respectively when compared to the control group.
 
The original DPP cohort of 3,234 people was invited to stay in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study, a follow-up observation Study (DPPOS). Most of the people in the study have been followed for more than 20 years, giving researchers a unique chance to look at several important health outcomes.
 
After an average of 21 years, the researchers looked at participant fatalities from any cause, cancer, or cardiovascular disease. Researchers found no difference in death rates between the people in the intensive lifestyle arm of the study and the people in the metformin arm of the study compared to the people in the control group.
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