How to Overcome Dental Fear

Many Americans neglect their oral health because of dental fear. Even some of those who visit their dentist on a regular basis still endure apprehension when facing their tooth fairies.

On the other hand, oral health issues are inevitable. So whether we want it or not, we have to consult a dental practitioner every few months. This would not be an easy ride for those who feel frightened by needles and the clinical environment.

It takes Two to Tango

Dentists encounter patients with dental phobia almost every day. This is not a unique case for them. In fact, they have developed physical and psychological techniques to comfort their patients while undergoing treatments.

• Dentists will let you consider them as a friend • They will keep on asking you things while your mouth is widely open
• The distraction technique which involves recreational activities while undergoing treatment
• They offer anesthetics to keep you calm
• Sedation dentistry for those who want a painless smile makeover

As a patient, you can figure out other ways to can manage your fear of dentists.

• Consider talking to a dentist about your oral health condition
• Appoint regular check-ups to diminish the uneasy feeling of dealing with medical practitioners
• Seek information on what to expect when you have to go through a certain treatment
• Help yourself to get rid of your fear, it’s all in the mind

Schedule a time to Talk with a Dentist

Set a schedule to consult with your dentist. Forget the fear--there’s no harm in trying! The earlier you learn about your situation, the more time you have to prepare for what is coming next. Wynnewood Dental Arts offers exclusive solutions for various cases of dental fears and anxiety. Do not hesitate to contact us and let Dr. DeFinnis explain how sedation dentistry can help you. http://wynnewooddentalarts.com/

Foods to Avoid

You have been told ever since you were a kid that sugar is not good for your teeth. But have you ever thought about dried fruits, bread, or popcorn to be somehow bad for your pearly whites? In addition to brushing and flossing twice a day, one of the great things you can do for your teeth to keep it healthy is to know what foods are good and bad for your teeth. So what foods do you need to avoid?

1. Bread- if you didn’t know, bread contains sugar. Especially processed white breads. They are also sticky and can get between your teeth.
2. Hard candies- they are harmful to your teeth not because there’s sugar but because you tend to hold them in your mouth longer.
3. Apples- they are high in acid and they can be hard on your enamel.
4. Carbonated soft drinks- a can of Pepsi or Coke has 10 teaspoons of sugar while diet soft drinks are loaded with phosphoric and citric acid.
5. Popcorn- kernels get stuck in between your teeth and if they stay in there for a long time, they can lead to infection and even an abscess,

You may not be able to avoid these foods but you should know the right thing to do to keep your teeth healthy. Timing is important in maintaining a healthy mouth. The longer you give those foods to inflict damage, the more it will be successful in doing so. Knowledge is prevention. For a complete oral health care and smile makeovers, visit Wynnewood Dental Arts.

How does Food Damage Your Teeth

Did you know that your eating habits and food choices play an important role in your oral health? The foods you choose and how often you eat them affects the health of your teeth and gums. There are healthy foods that can actually be some of the worst foods for your teeth. Foods that give you fuel for your system can be bad for your oral health because of the acid.

Acid can erode your teeth’s enamel and start to develop as cavities and tooth decay. Brushing and flossing twice a day is the basic way to keep your mouth healthy. But there are foods that can cause damage that needs thorough cleaning. There are two components that could stain your teeth: sugar and acid. Sucrose is the worst form of sugar that sticks to teeth very strongly making it hard to remove just by brushing.

Acids can be found naturally in foods, including fruit. In this case, bacteria don’t produce acid and cause tooth decay. It eats ways your teeth’s enamel and make your teeth weak to break down. You can wash away acids by simply drinking water but brushing right away after eating acidic foods can cause more damage. Wait at least an hour before you do so. Your teeth are porous, so take care of them. Visit Wynnewood Dental Arts for any smile makeovers you need.