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THE FEAR FACTOR. How to deal with fear of dentists
THE FEAR FACTOR
Dental Phobia
It is a fact that many people are still frightened to go to the dentist but dental phobia is the main cause of deteriorating dental health.
Today, I shall attempt to discuss the origins of dental phobia, and to explain how you can overcome such an uncomfortable and distressing condition.
Causes of dental phobia:
Uncomfortable or traumatic past dental experience:
The most common cause of dental phobia; and it is thought to be the most difficult to overcome if it happened in early childhood and contributes to a deep-seated fear of dental intervention.
Lack of communication:
Anxious dental patients need continuous explanation and reassurance. If adequate time is not taken to explain, respond to concerns and answer questions; patients often become disillusioned, confused and unsure about the nature and outcome of treatment. Consequently, anxiety and fear increase to the extent that the patient would not return to the dentist, or visit any other dentist!
Invasion of personal space:
The mouth is a body cavity; it is an intimate personal space, therefore, some individuals feel extremely anxious about a very close “invasion” of such a personal space.
Fear of needles:
Also known as needle phobia. Individuals with needle phobia will not seek dental treatment, as they are frightened of the dental injection (or any form of injection).
“I let my teeth deteriorate, I am ashamed of them, I think I am going to have false teeth”:
Some patients who neglected their dental health for reasons other than fear (demanding work, caring for children, elderly or disabled family member..Etc.) believe that the dentist would be astonished and would remove all their remaining teeth and replace them with dentures. These individuals have a morbid fear of losing their own teeth and having dentures.
Negative or exaggerated remarks from friends or relatives who may not have had a bad experience themselves!
5 TOP TIPS TO OVERCOME THE FEAR OF DENTISTS
First, you have to realise that there are thousands of individuals like yourself; dental phobia is like any other fear; for example fear of heights or closed spaces. You are not on your own.
Second, you also have to realise that there are professionals who can help you overcome your fear. Through good communication, explanation and reassurance, your fears will tend to reduce, and you will be more in control of your anxiety.
Third, dental anxiety management techniques are now well developed and highly successful. Dental practitioners who practice anxiety management would help you overcome your fears through the administration of certain medications.
Forth, Find an understanding and sympathetic dental practitioner. Usually you would sense the mannerism in the practice from the front desk. If the atmosphere is welcoming, relaxed and courteous, and the staff provide you with enough information and respond to your enquiries; the chances are that you are in the right place.
Fifth, let the staff and dentist know of your dental anxiety, and enquire if they practice anxiety management techniques.
Finally, I have to assure all of those who are reading this article and suffer from dental phobia, that help is available, it just takes this first step; making contact, and you may be surprised how confident and comfortable you will feel afterwards!
As always I would welcome your questions and comments, either here, on twitter or on facebook.
Until next time!
Sam Mohamed
How Healthy Are Your Gums Part 3
Hello again. In this posting, I shall be discussing the way gum disease starts; and how it progresses. I shall also reveal how gum disease is preventable; just by following a good and systematic home care regime.
Before I go into the details; I would like to mention a few scientific facts about gum disease and its effects on your general health:
- I mentioned in the last post that gum disease is on the rise; and that it is the major cause of tooth loss. Each molar lost; reduces the chewing efficiency by around 10%. Therefore; the food entering the stomach is not well chewed; and hence; the intestines have to work harder to digest and absorb the food you eat. The partially chewed food can cause many stomach and digestion.
- Gum Disease can increase the risk of heart disease! In certain individuals, and as the bacteria from plaque can spread through the blooodstream; the bacterial deposits can cause damage to the heart muscle.
- Gum disease causes chronic bad breath! As the bacteria secretes powerful smelling byproducts. This cannot be easily disguised.
- There are some evidence to suggest that gum disease may be linked to low birth weight.
These facts are major causes of concern; as gum disease not only affects your gums and teeth; but it could cause other health problems as well.
Let us first have a look at the characteristics of healthy gums; and to illustrate; please have a look at this photograph. Healthy gums are firm; pale pink; do not bleed with pressure or during brushing; fill the spaces between the teeth and do not cause pain or tenderness.
Diseased gums; on the other hand are red, with rounded edges; bleed spontaneously or with gentle brushing; are tender to touch and the tooth surface next to it is covered with plaque (soft deposits) and/or tartar (hard; yellowish or even dark brown deposits).
The gum tissue surrounding the tooth seals the attachment system that secures the tooth root to the jawbone (called periodontal tissues) from the mouth environment (as it is full of bacteria). This natural biological seal is vital to the health of the periodontal attachment system; as it is a sterile area.
When plaque bacteria are allowed to accumulate around the gum margins; they secrete very powerful enzymes and toxins which break down this seal; subsequently; the bacteria infiltrate deeper and deeper into the gum “pocket” and destroy the attachment system little by little. As the tooth loses part of this vital attachment system; it begins to move more and more during normal function. This movement accelerates the breakdown already started; and eventually the tooth becomes very mobile and eventual loss becomes the final outcome.
Remember that I mentioned in the last posting that the process is virtually painless and the first sign people notice could just be tooth mobility.
So; how can you prevent this nasty condition?
As I mentioned above; you have to follow a systematic and consistent home care routine which includes:
- Cleaning ALL your tooth surfaces thoroughly and effectively using small circular tooth brushing movements (manual toothbrush) resting on the gums throughout (and if the gums bleed; ignore it and carry on). If you have an electric toothbrush; just hold it with firm pressure on one section of your teeth and gums before you move to the next section. Make sure that you clean the inside surfaces of the teeth.
- Floss to clean in between the teeth; and if you find flossing difficult; use the small interdental brush BEFORE you brush your teeth. Do not use toothpicks!
- Visit your dentist and hygienist regularly to check your gums and help treat any pre-existing conditions which may cause potential gum problems.
- If you smoke; stop smoking or at least seek advice on how to quit ; smoking can make gum disease progress faster and cause more destruction.
- Some medications (blood pressure and steroidal medications for example) can cause gum bleeding; however; maintaining a good oral hygiene will protect you from developing advanced gum disease.
- In the first 3 months of pregnancy; gums would bleed due to hormonal changes; please maintain your oral hygiene at a very high level and the bleeding would eventually stop. Remember; this is not a sign of gum disease.
Click on the following links for more information:
THE CORRECT WAY TO BRUSH MANUALLY
FREE SMOKING CESSATION SERVICE
And finally; I thank you for taking the time to read the postings about gum disease. I would still advise you to see a dentist regularly so that early detection and treatment of any problems could be carried out. By doing so; you will enjoy a healthy smile and save yourself from undergoing more extensive and sometimes expensive treatments.
I would sincerely welcome your questions and comments; and thank those of you who commented on the past postings.
My Regards
Sam Mohamed
Smile Lincs
How Healthy Are Your Gums? Part 2
Bleeding Gums
Gum disease is a preventable condition in most cases. However; it needs to be diagnosed first. As it was mentioned in the previous posting; gum disease is relatively silent and may not cause any significant symptoms. Strangely enough; the most common symptom of gum disease mostly overlooked by many; and sometimes considered as “normal”; is bleeding gums.
Bleeding when brushing or spontaneously; is never normal. Imagine rubbing your skin or eye then discovering that this leads to some bleeding; would you consider this normal? Would you just overlook it, and consider it as “one of those things that happens from time to time”? Hardly.
Gum tissue is naturally tough; as it must resist the trauma of heat and cold; rough and tough foodstuff, brushing and many other stimuli. Gum bleeding is a sign of inflammation caused by bacteria present in the plaque that accumulates around the gum tissue, and not effectively removed by regular homecare.
The enzymes and toxins secreted by the plaque bacteria cause damage that starts the process of inflammation; which in turn changes the natural toughness of the gum tissue. As a result; and in response to the attack by plaque bacteria; the tiny blood vessels in the gum tissue start to open up to increase the flow of blood which contains the necessary defense cells. The gum tissue becomes swollen and bleeds easily and profusely to minor trauma e.g. brushing and chewing.
Surprisingly; many people; when experiencing bleeding gums; think that brushing lightly; brushing with a soft brush; or even not brushing at all would stop the bleeding! Indeed it may; but not because the cause of the bleeding has been eliminated; the plaque will still be there and the damage that it is causing would certainly continue.
Now; you may think that I am assuming that you do not brush your teeth! I never said that; in fact I know you do, may be once , twice or even more per day; however; this does not mean that you are “cleaning” all the plaque off. Most of us; including myself; when we were young; were given a toothbrush and toothpaste and were asked to brush twice a day; and that was it! No one showed us how to “clean” the plaque off; in fact no one showed us what the plaque looks like! Much like giving someone a hairbrush and asking them to brush their hair and make it tidy without a mirror in sight! And expecting a good job!
Most people brush; most people use toothpaste; most people use mouthwashes; but most people expect these things to do the job of cleaning the plaque off! The sad fact is..they won’t. It is you who can clean the plaque off and prevent gum disease from causing irreparable damage. If you do not have gum disease; you would most certainly not lose any teeth; and you would not spend a lot of money on your dental care.
In the next posting; I shall be summarizing the signs and symptoms of gum disease; and explaining how you could effectively clean the plaque off; improve your gum health; and prevent the incidence/recurrence of gum disease.
Yours