Seven Ways to Cure Your Dental Phobia

Seven Ways to Cure Your Dental Phobia
The dentist’s office can be pretty intimidating sometimes.  Even though it looks and feels similar to other doctor’s offices, the thought of going there can bring about sever feelings of anxiety and nervousness.  It doesn’t have to be that way.  Often times, even the simplest ideas can cure major issues with dental phobia and general nervousness
Why Does Dental Phobia Happen
Dental Phobia is a term that’s used pretty regularly to describe any anxiety related to visiting the dentist, but that might not be the best way of describing it.  The phrase “phobia” is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation”.  In some ways, that’s simply false.  Anxiety related to the dentist is almost never “illogical” and is usually grounded very much in reality.  
The truth is that often times we fear something because of past experiences.  Whether it’s obvious or not, there’s a very good chance that a previous visit to the dentist gave you some level of discomfort that still exists today.  Studies have shown that past experiences often times lead to an elevated anxiety and fear with regards to the dentist office. 
Other issues can affect your concerns around visits as well.  In general, the mass media only reports bad and harmful incidents that happen at the dentist’s office.  This can easily paint a grim and dismal picture of oral health when in reality, the vast majority of dental visits are very successful. 
Finally, the lack of control you experience at the dentist can make even the most confident person feel a bit constricted.  Being unable to get up and move around, talk freely and even communicate with your dental care professional can be a difficult experience to handle.
Anxiety Solutions
Now that we know some of the causes of your fear for the dentist, how do we fix it?  Below we’ve listed seven solutions to your concerns about visits to the dentist.
1. Breaks
Sitting in the same chair for long periods of time can result in increased stress levels, even if we don’t fully realize it.  Before your next visit, try to reach out to your dental care professional and discuss the possibility of simply getting up and walking around between different parts of your visit.  Being able to regain control will often times lower the amount of stress you’re feeling
2. Music
As long as your ear buds don’t get in the way and you can still hear the hygienist or dentist, there’s really nothing wrong with listening to music while you’re getting an exam or cleaning.  There’s plenty of data to show that listening to calming or interesting music will significantly reduce anxiety along with distracting you from the situation at hand.
3. Establish a Signal
We established earlier that lack of control is a major contributor to stress levels.  This is exacerbated by the fact that often times you’re not even able to communicate with the care professional that’s examining or cleaning your mouth.  This can be easily fixed by establishing a distress signal.  Something as simple as a tap or a grunt can easily notify the person working on your mouth that you’re not feeling great.  Whether you use the signal or not, having the peace of mind that if things do get a bit uncomfortable you have a way out will help to reassure you and make your next visit a lot easier.
4. Controlled Breathing There’s a fair bit of data showing that controlled breathing will help relax us.  You don’t need to go into a deep meditative state with months of practice to feel the effects either.  Simply counting your breathing time for as little as two minutes can lower your heart rate and help you feel calmer.  Try practicing the breathing exercise below a few times before your next visit:
* Breath in for four counts
* Hold your breath for four counts
* Exhale for four counts
* Wait for four counts before inhaling again
5. Controlled Relaxation
Many people who have issues sleeping are instructed to try controlled and organized relaxation of their muscles.  This helps to calm them down, lower their heart rate and help them fall asleep.  The same principles apply during stressful situations.  Try to focus for 30 to 45 seconds on each major muscle group and relax them entirely.  You’ll often times find that certain areas of your body (usually your thighs, arms, neck and shoulders) have significant amounts of tension in them that you didn’t realize.  Working to relax these muscle groups and remove that tension can be very helpful towards removing stress.
6. Bring a Friend
While dentist offices are generally pretty small, there’s almost always room in the corner for a friend or loved one to sit.  Knowing that there’s somebody nearby to help you if you’re uncomfortable or start to feel anxious can have a major effect on how we feel during stressful situations.  Before your next visit, check with your dentist if they have room for you to bring a buddy along.
7. Sedatives
Finally, talk to your dentist about the possibility of using some sort of sedative.  Oral sedation techniques such as laughing gas are completely healthy and can make the experience significantly less stressful.  In most cases these sedatives won’t put you to sleep so you’ll still be awake and somewhat coherent through the exam, cleaning or operation.  The effect will make you calm and comfortable, but still allow you to be awake and aware.
Dental Anxiety Cured There’s only so much you can do for your oral health at home.  While brushing your teeth, flossing, teeth whitening and rinsing with mouthwash can have a major effect on your oral health, you’re still opening yourself up to major risk by not going to the dentist.  If the reason you’re not going is due to fear, anxiety and nervousness we encourage you to try some of the aforementioned techniques.  If none of these seem to have a great effect, the best thing you can do is talk with your dentist about it.  Most dentists are more than interested in making their patients’ experiences as comfortable as possible.  Whether it’s an explanation of the exams, working through past exams or requesting a specific dental hygienist, there’s a lot that can be done by simply talking about the problem.  Whatever your issues are with the dentist, there’s a way to fix them.
Special thanks for our guest contributor this month Jeffrey Williams at Oradyne.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is becoming one of the most popular ways to enhance the aesthetic and beauty of teeth. Patients who hide themselves due to their embarrassment of crooked, misshapen, or dull teeth no longer have to feel self-conscious with the variety of cosmetic procedures available. But along with an increase in popularity comes an increase in the rumors surrounding cosmetic dentistry. Is cosmetic dentistry safe? Is it painful? Is it affordable? These are questions we can answer for you here, and by scheduling a consultation at our Gilbert office, we can personally help you decide if a cosmetic procedure is right for you.

However, until you are able to come in for an appointment at Red Canyon Dentistry, debunk some of those rumors for yourself with our quick cosmetic dentistry fact sheet.

White and straight teeth are associated with good health. Studies have shown that whiter and straighter smiles are associated with proper dental hygiene and good overall health. Smiles that are appealing also create better first impressions and positively impact professional as well as personal relationships.

Cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening, do not damage tooth enamel. Many people believe that teeth whitening procedures scrape off and permanently damage tooth enamel. This is not the case. Studies have shown that when applied correctly, teeth whitening causes no additional harm to the hardness or mineral content of teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry can solve certain health problems. Tooth loss creates open spaces in the mouth that could provide a breeding ground for infection. Cosmetic procedures such as dental implants or porcelain bridges will not only improve the appearance of your smile, 

but also decrease the chances of infection.

Cosmetic dentistry procedures are completed rather quickly. Usually, a cosmetic procedure can be completed in a span of three dental appointments. Dentists are willing to work around your busy schedule to make sure your treatment is completed in a timely manner. Cosmetic procedures, like teeth whitening, even have the option of being done either in the dentist chair or at home, depending on what best fits your schedule.

Cosmetic dentistry involves little pain or downtime. The details of what a certain cosmetic procedure entails could seem daunting and painful, but with various sedation dentistry methods available, patients experience little to no discomfort after their procedure, and with how quickly procedures are performed, patients find themselves back to their normal daily routine in a matter of days.  

Convinced? To schedule an appointment or find out more information about cosmetic dentistry in Gilbert, AZ, call us today. At Red Canyon Dentistry, we will conduct a one-on-one consultation to determine your qualifications for your desired cosmetic procedure. Get in touch with us today!

Why are Dental Exams Important?

Many patients fear the dentist, and therefore avoid their bi-annual appointment. Dodging the dentist is not recommended, and it’s important to keep up with regular dental care. A dental appointment has a number of benefits that impact not only the care of your mouth, but also the overall health of your body. If you are someone who allows too much time to pass before seeing the dentist, the following list might be helpful and convince you to call your Gilbert, AZ dentist to schedule an appointment.

Regular cleanings will help:

Prevent tooth decay. General cleanings remove soft plaque and hard plaque buildup from teeth. Along with regular dental care, a general cleaning is the only way to prevent cavities and tooth decay. However, a professional cleaning can target hard-to-reach places in the mouth that may be overlooked during your at-home care. A dentist will typically remove plaque and tartar, polish teeth, floss teeth, and possibly provide a fluoride treatment.

Detect problems early. A dentist will perform diagnostic tests to determine whether any oral problems exist or whether they could exist in the future. A dentist will examine the teeth, gums, and jaw as well as perform a head and neck examination to check for any health concerns. A dentist might check your bite, examine your tongue, check for broken or loose teeth, and take x-rays.

Give advice on what to do between visits. Although your dentist will remove most of the hard and soft plaque present on your teeth, it’s still important to keep up with regular dental care in between visits. This means brushing and flossing properly, and you can learn the correct technique and guidelines by seeking advice from your dentist. Routine checkups not only professionally clean your teeth, but they also help you learn beneficial oral hygiene tips.

After a routine cleaning, your dentist will comment on the health of your teeth and gums, and will suggest any additional care you could be taking in between visits. It is important to visit the dentist every six months for a general cleaning and examination. By visiting the dentist regularly as well as demonstrating good daily oral hygiene, you can be sure your teeth will be healthy for years to come.

The Best Solution for Tooth Restoration: Dental Implants

When you lose a tooth, there are a variety of options available for restoring your smile. The hard part is deciding which method is right for you. In the past, patients with missing teeth would resort to wearing dentures, but as time went on, they began to notice certain ailments that arose while wearing their false teeth. Patients began to complain about discomfort and embarrassment when their dentures slid around and out of their mouths. The instability of dentures led to difficulty eating and speaking, as well as provided a breeding ground for gum sores and other mouth infections. On top of all of these issues, dentures added oral maintenance to existing dental routines with their requirements to soak and be brushed with cleaner.

Those experiencing tooth loss now have a better and more reliable way to restore their natural smile – Dental Implants.

Dental implants are a more permanent and fixed alternative to traditional dentures and involve a titanium screw or “root” that is placed into the existing jawbone. The screw is then topped with a replacement acrylic tooth. Dental implants are like bridges in that they can replace multiple missing teeth, but unlike bridges, dental implants involve no additional reshaping to your existing teeth.

Since dental implants are fixed into the jawbone, none of the slipping and sliding associated with traditional dentures is present. There is no need to be self-conscious with dental implants, and you can experience more efficient chewing, better digestion, and stronger facial tissues with their installation. Dental implants also involve none of the added maintenance of traditional dentures and follow the same dental routine as your existing teeth.

Call Today!

At Red Canyon Dentistry in Gilbert, AZ we perform dental implant procedures for patients who are tired of pulling away from social occasions and want to regain a natural-looking and healthy smile. For more information about dental implants or to schedule a consultation, call our Gilbert, AZ office today!

10 Signs You Need to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth

Do you feel smarter with the arrival of your new wisdom teeth? After reading this post you just might…

Located at the very back of the mouth, wisdom teeth are a third set of molars that typically appear between the ages of 17 and 25. In most cases, the mouth provides inadequate space for wisdom teeth to fully grow and develop, which can cause a variety of complications for your mouth and your overall health. Because of the lack in space, wisdom teeth can become impacted or stuck underneath the gum tissue, making the mouth more prone to infection. In order to avoid unnecessary health risks, dentists usually advise the removal of wisdom teeth. But how do you know when the time for removal is right?

The following is a general checklist you can use to determine whether you need to schedule an appointment with Red Canyon Dentistry to get your wisdom teeth removed.

1. Is your jaw stiff or in pain?
2. Is the rest of your mouth (tongue, jaw, or gums) irritated due to a tooth growing in at an awkward angle?
3. Do you have pain at the site of the tooth?
4. Are flaps of gum tissue forming at the back of your mouth?
5. Are you noticing food becoming trapped in these flaps?
6. Are your existing teeth beginning to feel more crowded?
7. Do you have an infection due to the growth of your wisdom teeth?
8.  Are you getting headaches more frequently than usual?
9. Is your face beginning to swell due to the inflammation of your new teeth?
10. Are you noticing a sac of fluid, or a cyst, growing in the same area as your wisdom teeth?

If you are experiencing one or more of these signs, then schedule an appointment with Dr. Morris Oswald, DDS, today. At our Gilbert, AZ location, x-rays are taken to confirm the presence and position of your wisdom teeth. Once your wisdom teeth are located, we will schedule an appointment for their extraction.

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We're excited to announce the official launch of our Morris Oswald, DDS blog.

We'll be posting helpful dental tips, news from the dental industry, news from our practice, and more about the latest in dentistry. We built our practice on the notion that we're there for our patients when they need us and we want our online presence to be a reflection of that principle.

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 Here's to your best oral health ever!