Get Over Your Fear of the Dentist (4 part series)

Are you Afraid of the Dentist?

When you think of going to the dentist, do you feel your pulse rising? Do you tense up at the thought of sitting in that chair and hearing the sound of the drill as your dentist goes to work on your cavities? All those whirring metallic tools, the possibility of receiving bad news about your oral health… it can all be a bit too much. At Oakport Dental Sanford we understand this, but, first of all, you are certainly not alone.

Adults and children alike are vulnerable to fear of the dentist. According to the Dental Fears Research Clinic, between five and eight percent of Americans avoid visiting the dentist because they are scared. Another 20 percent say they go to the dentist only when they have to because of their fears. Children are even more likely than adults to be wary of the dentist: Thirty percent of kids say they are scared to visit the dentist. But you don’t have to live in fear. There are actually quite a few ways to overcome your dental anxiety, and your dentist in Sanford will provide a lot of options to help you out, too.

Why Do People Fear Dentists?

Before we get into how to get over your fear of visiting the dentist, though, let’s discuss some of the leading causes of dental phobias. After all, it’s much easier to handle a phobia if you understand its underlying causes. Why are people scared of dentists? There can be a lot of reasons. Here are the five most common:

1. A Bad Dental Experience as a Child

 Most people who report intense anxiety or fear when they visit the dentist say that they are afraid of feeling pain. With advancements in anesthetics and sedation dentistry, there’s no reason to be afraid of feeling pain when you’re in the dentist’s chair, but past experiences can have compelling and lasting effects. Thus, the real cause for a lot of patients who suffer from this phobia is carryover from a bad experience at the dentist’s office when they were younger.

Many people with dental phobia have held these fears since they were children, dating back to an unpleasant episode they had with a dentist in the past. Perhaps they had a tooth filled and the Novocain hadn’t quite kicked in before the dentist started drilling, leading to a very painful few moments. Or maybe a dental hygienist accidentally scraped a gum with their pick while cleaning teeth, hurting the person’s gums. It’s easy to see why someone would be loath to return to the dentist after an experience like this. They have a fear that those traumatic events will happen again. No one likes to get hurt, and many people choose to avoid having to go to the dentist altogether rather than to face those fears.

2. Pre-Existing Anxiety Disorder

For many people, an anxiety disorder that’s not even dental related may be causing their dental phobia. They may feel anxious about anything unknown, and not knowing what to expect at the dentist’s office — such as whether they will have cavities or need fluoride — can ramp up those feelings of nervousness.

3. Lack of Control

Others experience fear of the dentist because they fear the loss of control associated with letting someone else perform invasive procedures on their teeth. They know logically that their dentist will do everything in his or her power to make the procedure as comfortable and quick as possible, but they have problems giving up control and trusting their dentist to perform these tasks. Some people feel vulnerable when they are sitting in the dentist chair. They don’t like lying back and not being able to see what is going on around them. This is especially true of those who may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, as they worry about the unknown when they do not have complete control of a situation.

4. Bad Teeth

Sadly, a dental phobia can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. People who are scared of the dentist may be fearful of going because they worry they have cavities that will need to be drilled.  As a result of these issues, many people avoid visiting the dentist for months or even years when they know that they should be making regular appointments. They avoid getting their teeth cleaned because they feel anxious about visiting the dentist. Then they continue avoiding the dentist because they fear that they’ve developed cavities and will need to have them filled or worse. Unfortunately, this can continue until major dental work is needed, which can be both expensive and uncomfortable.

5. Biological Mechanisms

Here’s a little-known fact uncovered by a Norwegian researcher: Humans have a deep desire to protect their open air passages. The desire is an evolutionary instinct: Our ancestors who protected their mouths and noses were more likely to remain alive. While we no longer face threats from the beasts that may have hunted our ancestors down, we still maintain that desire to protect our mouths and noses. That means our natural instinct is to resist opening our mouths and becoming vulnerable to another person. Instead, we are biologically built to guard these areas and keep them private.

Perhaps you nodded your head as you read those examples. Even if you don’t have a paralyzing fear of dentists, you may still become nervous when you go for a cleaning or take your seat in the chair. So what can you do to stop the cycle? We’ll give you some tips and strategies in the next few posts.

And of course we are always here to help!  If you are looking for a Sanford, FL dentist, call us at 407-323-5340 to schedule a consultation.

Treatment for Sensitive Teeth

If you suffer from sensitive teeth, there’s pain lurking around every corner. Hot cups of coffee, a platter of crudités or even breathing in cold air can be excruciating.  Tooth sensitivity affects many people, so you’re not suffering from it alone. As many as 25% of people may have this problem. Here is everything you need to know about sensitive teeth, including causes and treatments.

Symptoms of Sensitive Teeth

A common symptom of sensitive teeth is discomfort when your teeth are exposed to extremes in temperature, such as when drinking very hot or very cold beverages. Very sweet foods or very sticky ones can sometimes also cause symptoms to flare up. Even breathing in cold winter air through your mouth can be enough to cause pain for a person with sensitive teeth. You may also feel pain simply from chewing, or even flossing.  However, since these symptoms could be caused by things other than simple tooth sensitivity, consult with your dentist to confirm the diagnosis and best treatment.

Causes of Sensitive Teeth

So why does it happen? Tooth sensitivity to extreme temperatures is most often due to an exposed root surface.  What does that mean?

Enamel, the strongest substance in your entire body, provides a protective layer over the exposed parts of your teeth. The tooth root below the gum line is protected by cementum. Beneath the enamel and cementum lies the dentin. Within the dentin are tiny tubules, invisible to the naked eye. If the protective enamel or cementum are breached, these tiny tubules allow heat and cold, plus sticky or acidic foods to irritate the nerves and interior of the tooth. But there are easy ways to treat this common issue.

However, some of the causes of a breach in your enamel include cavities, fractures in your enamel, worn-out fillings, and gum disease. Exposed tooth roots can also play a role. Thus, restorative dental treatment may be necessary so make sure to check with your Sanford dentist.

Treatment of Sensitive Teeth

The good news is, sensitive teeth can be treated.  While waiting for the effects of treatment to kick in, avoid the things that lead to pain. Don’t drink piping hot coffee or tea, avoid ice in your drinks. Remember, preventative oral care is key.

1. Use toothpaste made for sensitive teeth

A desensitizing toothpaste contains compounds that help block transmissions of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve. Not every product is worth the money so look for toothpastes that display the ADA Seal of Recognition, your assurance that products have met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness. Most people will feel a difference within a week to 10 days.

 

2. Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush

Since you want to keep the protective layer of your teeth as strong as possible, it makes sense that you shouldn’t go about cleaning them with the same vigour that you would scrub a dirty pot. A toothbrush with soft bristles is recommended to clean your mouth without damaging teeth or gums. If you have a fancy ultrasonic electric toothbrush, you may want to do a trial without it – the intense vibrations may be too much to handle for some teeth!  Also, talk to your hygienist about which toothbrush is right for you.

 

3. Look for dental products with fluoride

While it may sound like a marketing buzzword, fluoride is the real deal and can be an important part of your dental routine. Fluoride can help remineralize, or strengthen, a tooth surface that has been demineralized by bacterial acids. So upgrade your mouthwash and toothpaste if you’re not already using products that contain fluoride.

 

4. Cut down on acidic food and drinks

Altering your diet, particularly where acidic items are concerned, can keep you from wincing in pain every time you sit down to eat. Acidic food and drink can contribute to tooth erosion and tooth sensitivity. Consume soft drinks, citrus fruit juices and wine in moderation.

 

5. Get a night guard

If you find you often wake up with a dull headache or a sore jaw, you could be spending your hours of slumber slowly ruining your teeth. Grinding teeth for prolonged periods can contribute to tooth sensitivity through tooth wear. But there’s an easy solution to this damaging problem: Your dentist can fit you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth during sleep.

 

6. Practice good oral care

There’s nothing new about this one. Brush and floss daily and make regular trips to your dentist. It might seem overly simple, but it’s the absolute best way to keep your teeth in tip-top shape. Proper oral hygiene is the key to preventing gums from receding and causing sensitive-tooth pain.

If these strategies don’t do the trick, talk to your dentist about in-office alternatives. These may include the application of a fluoride gel or prescription-strength desensitizers. If these steps fail, your dentist may suggest a filling, a crown, or other method of correcting the defect in your enamel or cementum that is causing your pain.

The Bottom Line

Remember that you’re not alone in this, and your dentist likely has lots of experience in treating this perplexing problem. Check with your dentist to make sure your tooth sensitivity isn’t being caused by something requiring immediate attention, and if not, go ahead and try an over-the-counter solution for a hopefully easy fix. If you don’t get adequate improvement though, head back to your dentist to discuss other options.  If you are in the Sanford area, we at Oakport Dental would be pleased to be of service!

Warning Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

The removal of one’s wisdom teeth is commonplace and this practice is very important to ensuring your continued oral health. Your wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, can become impacted and cause you debilitating pain if not removed. To prevent this from happening it is often recommended to have your wisdom teeth removed even before they begin to show signs of causing future complications.

If you haven’t had your wisdom teeth removed yet, make sure you’re aware of the potential of complications and know the warning signs and symptoms of impacted teeth so you can take immediate action before serious trouble starts. Be on the lookout for any of the following symptoms that can be caused by impacted wisdom teeth:

1. Pain or Swelling of the Jaw

One of the most common signs of impacted wisdom teeth is pain originating from the back of your mouth along your jawline, where your wisdom teeth are located. As the condition worsens this pain has been known to spread throughout the entire mouth and skull, even going so far as to cause headaches. Your mouth may also experience swelling along the jawline caused by this impaction of the wisdom teeth.

2. Sensitive or Swollen Gums

Any swelling in and around your mouth, especially that of your gums, can be a sign of dental complications you should have looked at immediately. Swollen gums are another symptom commonly associated with impacted wisdom teeth. Not only have they been known to swell up due to this condition, but your gums may become tender and sensitive or experience bleeding.

3. Bad Breath and Foul Taste

When your wisdom teeth become impacted, the area in the gums may become infested with bacteria, leading to an infection that rots your teeth. This rot will leave a very foul taste inside your mouth and will cause your breath to be equally rotten smelling. If you are experiencing these symptoms, regardless of any of the others, you should seek out dental assistance right away as it is an obvious dental health issue even without impacted wisdom teeth being the cause.

4. Other Symptoms and Complications

Impacted wisdom teeth are associated with causing a wide array of different complications as well. These complications can include headaches and earaches, swollen glands, a difficulty in opening your mouth and chewing, a shooting pain throughout your mouth focused towards the back where your wisdom teeth are located, irreversible nerve damage, and more. Any pain or discomfort involving your mouth, teeth, or gums should be assessed by your dentist right away in order to rule out more serious conditions or catch them early on before the trouble they cause begins to worsen.

 If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, do not hesitate to contact your local dentist immediately so as to catch any developing problems as soon as possible. For your continued oral well being, take preventative measures now. The consequences of ignoring the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth can be dire and highly detrimental to your mouth’s well being. Among the consequences you may face:

1. Damage, Crowding, and Realignment of your Teeth

As impacted wisdom teeth continue to push at the teeth around them in order to grow in, serious alignment issues are known to occur. Your other teeth can be pushed out of place, creating an overcrowding of your teeth and further damage that will need to be corrected.

2. Gum Disease and Tooth Decay

While bad breath and foul tastes within your mouth due to your wisdom teeth beginning to rot are symptoms to look out for in identifying the condition of impacted wisdom teeth, ignoring these signs can lead to further tooth decay and gum disease as the condition progresses without treatment. This infection and decay can result in serious damage to your mouth.

3. Nerve-Damaging Cysts

A less common symptom of impacted wisdom teeth is that your nerves may face irreparable damage if the condition goes untreated. The sacs in which your wisdom teeth grow, along the interior of the jaw, may become filled with fluid, creating cysts within your mouth. These cysts can cause nerve damage and are also known to cause severe pain and damage to your other teeth in the surrounding area.

Taking immediate action at the first sign of impacted wisdom teeth and other dental conditions is in your best interest in order to avoid the risk of further complications. If you are located within the Sanford area and are in need of a dental professional, our Oakford Dental office is here to help, so please call in order to make an appointment as soon as possible to nip any developing problems in the bud so you can continue to have a happy, healthy mouth.

TMJ Symptoms and Treatment

TMJ or TMD (Temporomandibular joint disorder) is a very common medical condition even though most of the time people fail to recognize the problem.  The temporomandibular joint connects the lower jaw to the base of the skull. How you chew your food and how your jaws meet together can be a reason for discomfort and pain in this joint and the muscles associated with it. If you have a TMJ problem, the best dentists in Sanford that you can go to are at Oakport Dental.

Symptoms of TMJ

If you have recurrent health issues like migraines, headaches, facial pain, neck, shoulder and back ache then don’t ignore the problem as it could be because of TMJ.  It’s imperative to make an appointment to visit your dentist because they might be able to help with your TMJ issues.

A common symptom associated with TMJ disorder is clenching your teeth during the day and grinding them at night – also known as bruxism. This might result in your teeth becoming worn out and if this occurs in conjunction with migraines, shoulder pain and the like then it’s important to consult your dentist as early as possible. Sanford Dentists at Oakport Dental are committed to addressing this problem.

Common symptoms of TMJ disorder

·         Bruxism – grinding or clenching your teeth

·         Clicking or popping noises when you chew

·         Difficulty opening your mouth wide

·         Pain in the muscles around the jaw

·         Pain in front of the ear, spreading to the temple, cheek or ear itself

·         Headache or migraine

·         Back, neck or shoulder ache

·         Pain or buzzing in the ear

·         Insomnia

Causes of TMJ

The first procedure employed by your dentist will be to analyze and determine the cause of your TMJ disorder and related discomfort.  Several factors can lead to TMJ syndrome like misalignment of the teeth or jaw, teeth grinding, injury to the teeth or jaw, poor posture, arthritis, stress, and gum chewing. The condition is also further aggravated due to stress, injury, changes to your bite (poorly fitted dentures) and as part of a wider medical condition such as fibromyalgia. Sometimes, the condition has no obvious cause.

Treatment for TMJ

Temporomandibular joint disorders can sometimes be addressed through home remedies which include placing ice packs to the jaw joint, avoiding chewing gum and gently massaging the jaw and neck. Other measures are eating soft foods, stress management and applying relaxation therapies. If these home remedies fail to alleviate your discomfort, it’s best to seek medical advice from a dentist. Unlike other dentists in Sanford, we at Oakport Dental do not believe that the only solution for this issue is through surgery. At our private dental practice in Sanford, we will evaluate your condition and make a treatment plan to finally end the discomfort and pain caused by TMJ problems.

One of the most common treatments is to wear a mouth guard at night. These hard plastic guards are similar to sports mouth guards and prevent the surfaces of your teeth from grinding together while you sleep. Your mouth guard will be made to fit your teeth exactly for maximum comfort. Other treatments for TMJ include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers such as aspirin and acetaminophen. In severe cases of TMJ surgery on the jaw or dental surgery may be carried out.