It can be difficult to determine if you should seek emergency dental care. What qualifies as an emergency event? Here’s what you need to know.

As an adult, losing a tooth is no longer the magical, tooth-fairy-summoning experience it once was. Losing a tooth in your adult years falls into the emergency dental care category–not so magical at all, and sometimes quite scary. 

So don’t hang around waiting to be paid under the pillow when something goes terribly wrong with the teeth. It’s best to brace yourself and be well-versed in the protocol in case a bad situation should arise.

Do you know when to take emergency dental care measures?

Like any emergency situation, it pays to be prepared when it comes to your teeth–or gums, or any other part of your oral health. And that means knowing when an oral health issue is truly a dental emergency.

There are a number of circumstances that qualify, and varying degrees of seriousness to be aware of, regarding dental emergencies, and since we’re big fans of caring for your teeth, we’ve compiled a list of these serious situations that would require taking immediate emergency action. 

Seek Medical Help Immediately 

First, let’s clarify what we mean by “immediately.” Immediate action means seeking medical attention within 30 minutes or less. So don’t hesitate or second guess when any of these unfortunate situations occur: 

A Tooth Has Been Knocked Out

What this means: The tooth has left the mouth and is no longer bound by connective tissue. Again, this is not in reference to the natural order of losing teeth all through the second grade. This type of tooth-losing is a direct result of trauma or great, unexpected force.  

What to do: Call your dentist and state that there is an emergency dental care situation. If you can, try to preserve the tooth and transport it to the dentist for possible reinsertion. Getting to the dentist quickly is essential in this type of situation.

A Tooth Has Been Moved or Shifted

What this means: A tooth has been forced out of its normal alignment. 

What to do: Call your dentist and alert him or her to the situation. You can gently push the tooth back toward it’s original setting, but if there’s pain involved, you would be better served having a dentist handle it. Plan to schedule a visit in the very near future. 

You Have Chipped, Fractured, or Cracked a Tooth

What this means: Some or part or a tooth has been broken or detached.  

What to do: While some instances of chipping or fracturing may be minor, they have the potential to turn into big problems if the damage is not addressed. Call your dentist immediately and describe the severity of the situation. You can expect to need to make a visit in the very near future. 

The Inside of Your Mouth Has Been Injured

What this means: A laceration, tear, or other trauma have been inflicted on the inside of the mouth, cheeks, lips, tongue, or gums. 

What to do: In the event of an open wound inside the mouth, first clean the area with warm water. Then, apply pressure to the affected area. Call your dentist to discuss what further action should be taken. 

Unexplainable Bleeding or Swelling

What this means: This may indicate an infection or abscess. 

What to do: Call your dentist to schedule an immediate visit. Prior to your office visit, you may want to apply a cold compress to address the swelling and to regain some level of comfort. 

Are You Prepared?

First-Aid kits are generally good to have on hand, but there are some supplies you’ll want to be sure to stock specific to dental emergency preparedness:

Your dentist’s contact information

Know who you would need to contact and how you would go about doing so. If there’s specific off-hours contact information, document that as well. 

A small container with a lid

For any tiny pieces you need to transport (i.e. displaced teeth or tooth fragments). Not a pretty thought, but something you should be ready for. 

Gauze and/or handkerchief

This may come in handy for any messy situations and/or for applying pressure to open wounds inside the mouth. 

Acetaminophen

You should not rely on aspirin or ibuprofen as these will thin the blood.

What Doesn’t Qualify as “Emergency Dental Care”  

It’s also important to note the types of situations don’t need that emergency dental care.  You’ll not only be better prepared to make a judgement call on actual emergency situations, you’ll also save yourself the undue stress and anxiety of a false alarm. 

On the same note, don’t write-off anything even seemingly minor. Putting off truly necessary dental care can lead to unwanted ER visits down the road. Not all emergency rooms regularly staff dental experts, so knowing who to see and when is important. Tak to your dentist if you have any concerns.

How to Avoid Dental Emergencies 

Some emergency dental care situations are, of course, incidental, but that’s not to say preventative measures can’t be taken. These few simple actions can keep your teeth in tip-top shape: 

Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or other high-impact activities

Mouth guards have been shown to reduce the risk of sport-related dental injuries. Wearing a mouthguard provides an added layer of protection for your teeth. The occurrence of chipping, fracturing, or losing teeth will be lessened dramatically (stat) 

Take precautionary measures (especially when dental care will not be immediately available)

Regular examinations are important, but if you’re planning to be away from home, especially out of the country, be sure to set up a pre-emptive dental appointment to ensure things are in order before you no longer have access to emergency care. This could end up playing a key role in avoiding issues with loose teeth or infection that may lead to an abscess–not ideal vacation surprises. 

Get regular check-ups

Perhaps the most obvious avoidance tactic is making regular dental care a priority. Seeing your dentist for regular examinations every 6 months will keep your teeth and gums healthy, strong, and protected from infection and decay.

Knowing when and how to act in emergency dental situations could be the difference between losing and saving a tooth. Your oral health is critical to your overall wellbeing, so read up regularly on dental emergency preparedness and always take precautionary measures. 

Don’t wait until you need emergency dental care–schedule your next appointment now.

These dental care myths are not only widely accepted – they’re doing serious damage to pearly whites everywhere. Take heed of this list and protect your mouth.

How much do you know about your dental care? 

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t know as much as you should. Many people have faulty beliefs about their dental health. These beliefs can make it harder to ensure that your teeth are healthy. 

In this post, you will learn some of the most common myths that keep people uninformed about their dental care.  

The Only Healthy Teeth Are White Teeth

Everyone takes pride in their pearly white smile, don’t they? It’s typically seen as a sign of peak dental health. Most people see white teeth as the pinnacle of good dental care. 

Makes sense, right? 

Unfortunately, it’s completely wrong. Of course, you do want your teeth to be white for cosmetic purposes, but white teeth are not necessarily a sign of superior dental care. It’s possible to have white, shiny, sparkling teeth that are completely unhealthy. 

The color of your teeth does not mean there are no signs of infection or cavities between your teeth. 

Here’s the thing: the natural color of teeth is different for everyone. So, someone with darker teeth could potentially have healthier teeth than someone who has whiter teeth. 

The reason many believe that whiter teeth are healthier is because as we continue to age, teeth tend to become darker. Aging also causes the teeth to break down more rapidly. This is why people normally associate white teeth with healthy teeth. 

Regardless of your age or the color of your teeth, it’s best to make sure that you’re taking good care of your dental health.  

Sugar Is The Main Threat To Your Teeth

No doubt you’ve heard this myth many times over. We all have. That’s why we’re so careful about how much candy we give our children. It’s why we try to avoid sweets as much as possible. 

I’m not saying that sugar isn’t bad for your teeth. It certainly can be harmful. But it’s not the main threat to your dental health. 

It’s actually bacteria that are the main culprit when it comes to tooth decay. The reason sugar isn’t your friend is because harmful bacteria feed on sugar. So, the more sugar you have in your mouth, the easier it will be for bacteria to wreak havoc inside your mouth. 

If you’re eating a lot of processed sugars and neglecting your dental care, you could be creating a breeding ground for bacteria. That’s why it’s best to limit your sugar intake. Of course, if you’re taking good care of your teeth, you will limit the amount of damage sugar can do. 

Along with bacteria, acid is also a huge threat to your dental health. When you eat acidic foods, the acid eats away at your teeth’s enamel. This weakens your teeth and makes them more susceptible to decay.  

So go light on the acid and practice good oral care. Juice and soda are some of the most acidic things you can consume, so it’s best to limit your intake. Try to avoid acidic and sugary foods as much as you can.  

Grinding Your Teeth Can Cause Cavities

Grinding your teeth is harmful to your dental health, but it doesn’t cause cavities. Cavities are the result of bacteria eating away at your enamel. 

However, grinding your teeth can place tons of pressure on your teeth. Over time, this pressure can erode your enamel, which increases the chances of tooth decay. 

Grinding your teeth can also result in tooth loss, loosening of the gums, aching jaws, headaches, and toothaches. Teeth grinding is usually the result of stress. 70% of people who grind their teeth are doing so because of stress. 

One of the most effective ways to limit teeth grinding is to find ways to de-stress and relax. There are also helpful exercises you can do to limit your teeth grinding.  

Silver Fillings Aren’t Harmful To Your Teeth

When most people get silver fillings, they don’t consider the idea that it could be harmful to their health. Silver fillings are pretty common. The silver filling myth is pretty common. But, it’s not true. 

52% of silver fillings are made using mercury. Over time, this mercury can leak out into your mouth. It many cases, it can cause mercury poisoning. 

Mercury has been shown to cause certain autoimmune and other types of diseases. If you have silver fillings, you should get them replaced as soon as possible. If not, the consequences could be very harmful to your overall health.  

Pregnant Women Should Avoid Dental Care

Many women avoid dental care when they are pregnant. They believe that dental care can have a negative impact on their childbirth. It’s a common belief that the local anesthesia that dentists use could negatively impact the child. 

It’s a common belief that the local anesthesia that dentists use could negatively impact the child. However, local anesthetics and X-rays won’t harm the child as long as they’re done only when it’s absolutely necessary. 

If you’re pregnant, it’s always recommended that you continue to get regular checkups. You should also get cleanings and fillings as necessary. When you visit your dentist, make sure you let her know about your pregnancy so that they can accommodate you. There are some treatments and medications that shouldn’t be given to pregnant women so it’s best to make sure your dentist is informed.  

Gum Disease Is Not Common 

Gum disease is far more common than you think. Many adults deal with this condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that half of adults over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease. This means that these people are more vulnerable to infection.

Gum disease is caused by plaque. The plaque creates an infection in the tissues around your teeth. Plaque is the sticky film that forms on your teeth. If plaque isn’t removed, it can harden into tartar. The good news is that this can be easily avoided by regular brushing and flossing.  

Conclusion

It’s immensely important that you are as educated as possible about your dental care. You need to make sure that you know how to properly care for your teeth. The more you know about your dental health, the easier it will be to prevent decay and infection. Regular checkups with your dentist can help you protect your teeth. Contact us today for your check up!

If you’re an expecting mother, there’s a good chance that you’re feeling a mix of excitement, joy, and maybe some stress right now. And for good reason– everyone wants their baby to come out healthy.

There’s a ton of instructions and rules to follow while pregnant. What to eat, which vitamins to take, how to exercise, and even how and when to travel. All of these tips and rules are in place to make sure your baby and you come out of your pregnancy as healthy as possible.

One aspect of prenatal care that many expecting mothers don’t often consider is pregnancy dental care. 

Fear not! Prenatal care for your baby’s chompers as well as yours is simple and immensely beneficial. Let’s get into it, shall we?

Back to Basics: Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Practing good oral hygiene should go without saying, but we’re going to really stress this one. It is incredibly important to make sure you’re taking care of your own teeth as well as the rest of your body while you are expecting.

Keep Brushing

You should be brushing your teeth, specifically with flouridated toothpaste, twice a day. No exceptions. Skipping morning or evening brushing is terrible for everybody, pregnant or not. You should also be careful to never share your toothbrush with someone else. (Does anybody actually do that?)

Rinse After Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is no joke and happens to just about every pregnant person. If you happen to vomit, try to remember to rinse your mouth afterwards with a bit of baking soda and water to keep the acid from stripping away at the enamel of your teeth.

Rinse In General

Don’t skip the mouthwash! In order to really get your teeth clean, you should be using an alcohol-free flouride mouthrinse every night before bed.

Chew Gum After Meals

If you are a gum addict, this one should be easy. After midday meals remember to chew gum containing the sugar substitute xylitol to help cut down on bacteria that could be lingering in your mouth.

Floss, Floss, Floss!

Remember to clean between your pearly whites with tooth floss at least once a day. Dentists agree that flossing is an incredibly important step in proper tooth care, yet few people remember to do it regularly.

These basic practices will benefit you quite a bit during your pregnancy. Try to stick to them before and after your baby is born and make them a habit.

Go To The Dentist… Seriously

You are probably seeing a ton of medical professionals and specialists right now, from your OB/GYN to midwives to family practice doctors. This is stressful and time-consuming, without a doubt.

However, you really should not skip out on your dentist.

You should visit your dentist at least once or twice during your pregnancy. Regular visits to the dentist are hugely beneficial and should be mandatory for everybody with teeth, especially expecting mothers.

Contact your local trusted dental office and let them know about your pregnancy and when your due date is. This way, a qualified dentist will be able to provide you with the specific care you need.

My Teeth Won’t Be Affected by My Pregnancy… Right?

Unfortunately, this is very wrong. Your body changes drastically while you are with child and your mouth is no exception.

Pregnancy Gingivitis

This common oral disease affects many people at some point in their lives, and most don’t know how easy it is to get the disease when you’re pregnant. Similar to pregnancy diabetes and other problems that just sort of happen when you’re pregnant, pregnancy gingivitis can happen to you.

Tooth Decay

Women become very suseptible to cavitities while they are pregnant. This usually happens because of an increased intake of carbs and vomiting from morning sickness.

Tumors

Don’t worry, this sounds much worse that it actually is. Pregnancy tumors are overgrown patches of tissue that can form on the gums during the second trimester. They are not cancerous, but they are very uncomfortable and usually bleed.

Proper oral health care including x-rays, certain pain medications, and local anethesia are not only safe to implement during pregnancy but should definitely be used if you’re suffering from any of the above afflictions.

Be Mindful of What You Eat, For You And Your Baby

There’s not a pregnant woman on this earth who has not had at least some kind of weird pregnancy craving, such as eating chicken quasadillas every day or drinking pickle juice. Drastic hormonal shifts during pregnancy are most likely the culprit behind pregnancy cravings.

The most common kinds of pregnancy cravings are usually sugary sweet snacks, such as cupcakes, candy, or chocolate shakes. While it is perfectly fine to indulge every once in a while, be mindful of how much sugar you are consuming during your pregnancy.

The more sugar you consume, the greater your chances of developing tooth decay are. Tooth decay isn’t just awful and downright dangerous for your health, but it can affect the health of your unborn baby as well.

Foods To Eat For Your Baby’s Tooth Health

Your little one’s first set of teeth begin to develop three to four months into your pregnancy.

Do your best to stick to a filling and balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Healthy dairy products such as cheese and yogurt contain the necessary minerals to help your baby’s developing gums, bones, and teeth.

Remember This Pregnancy Dental Care Guide, But Don’t Stress Yourself Out

In conclusion, it is important to remember that stress is your biggest enemy during pregnancy. While there is a lot of intimidating information in this article, there’s no need to scramble for an emergency dentist visit. Watch what you eat, take care of your teeth and gums, make an appointment with a qualified dentist, and be sure to eat some healthy dairy products.

Have you experienced any tooth problems during your pregnancy? Did you know about what to expectt? We’d like to hear about it, so why not leave us a comment?

Dental Care For Kids: 5 Common Myths About Kid’s Teeth

If you’re a parent, you need to properly care for your children’s teeth. There are some common myths out there we’re dispelling here for your family’s health.

Your child’s perception of and attitude toward dental hygiene starts early, and can affect them the rest of their life. Dental care for kids is important, and often misunderstood.

Cove Dental is here to help.

But, do you know what good dental habits are for your kids? Here are the top five common misconceptions about what’s happening in your child’s mouth.

1. Fruit does a body good, and your teeth, too. Right?

Everyone knows that fruit is good for you. It’s an important source of vitamin C, potassium and other things your body needs. But, it’s also high in sugar! While fruit in moderation is part of a healthy diet, here are some things to keep in mind:

• The sugar and acids in the fruit will continue to eat away at your child’s teeth (and your own!), for up to thirty minutes after eating. This is especially true if the fruit was eaten by itself as a snack.

• Dried fruit can be worse than chocolate. At least as far as your teeth are concerned. Snacks like raisins can cling to tooth surfaces much longer than a chocolate treat, and continue eating away at the enamel.

• Fruit juice is just as bad as fizzy soft drinks, in terms of both sugar and acid. Some acids in fruits can be as harsh as battery acid. Having a juice box always at the ready is an easy choice, but it isn’t always a healthy choice for your child’s teeth.

But, fruit snacks should be ok if my child brushes immediately afterward, right?

No. The folks at Mayo Clinic even suggest waiting to brush up to 30 minutes after eating, especially acidic foods. Your tooth enamel is temporarily weakened, and you could do more harm than good.

2. Water is water and is still OK even with a sugar-free flavoring.

It’s easy to grab a bottle of water at the grocery store or even a thirty pack at a big box chain. It’s just water, right? Fluoride is an important component of tap water, and something your child may be missing out on if you regularly reach for a bottle instead of a glass.

Many parents say that their kids balk at drinking just plain water, so they add fruit flavorings. This is the same problem created by fruit juice  (even if the flavoring is sugar-free). Your child’s teeth are awash in artificial chemicals and colorings, all doing harm to sensitive surfaces.

Don’t forget the fluoride toothpaste, either. For a little one under 3 years of age, a bit of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice is enough. Kids over 3, pea-sized is plenty! Some popular brands even have kid’s toothpaste flavors other than mint, to help encourage letting it stick around.

And unlike having a drink of water to rinse away a sugary treat, toothpaste shouldn’t be rinsed away after brushing. It leaves behind some additional fluoride protection, so hold the rinse cup!

3. Genetics are the cause of “bad” teeth.

Unlike hair color or even eyesight, the sturdiness of your teeth isn’t inherited from your parents. In fact, nearly 100% of cavities can be prevented with good habits, including brushing and a healthy diet.

“Soft” teeth aren’t a thing, either. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body! But once it’s damaged, enamel can’t heal like a broken bone, so the effects are often permanent.

We’ve all probably heard the phrase, “sharing is caring”.

But not according to The American Dental Association.

In five tips to prevent kids’ tooth decay, learn why “care don’t share” is their motto.

4. Snacks are as a good as a meal, as long as they’re healthy choices.

Kids can be finicky eaters. Some days, vegetables are great, and some…well, let’s just say they’re not so great. Sometimes, getting kids to sit down to a meal can be an uphill battle.

But if your kids are snacking constantly, there’s another battle going on.

Their teeth are being constantly assaulted by sugar and acid. And the assault is renewed with every bite of fruit, cracker, or granola bar.

While allowing your child to graze may seem like a good solution to a meal time tantrum, it can be very hard on their teeth. Try to limit snacks to twice a day.

5. They’re just baby teeth, it doesn’t matter how they’re taken care of.

Your child’s first teeth, or “milk teeth”, play an important role in the future of their smile. While most people refer to them as “baby” teeth, they can be in your child’s mouth until the age of 12!

Here’s what can happen if you don’t take proper care of your child’s baby teeth:

• If there are cavities in baby teeth, that same bacteria can also eat away at permanent teeth
• If baby teeth come out too early, it can cause issues with the spacing of permanent teeth

Taking care of baby teeth is just as important as adult teeth, and in some cases, even more important!

This isn’t the end of the “Kids Dental Care” story

While these are just five of the myths about kids’ dental health, you may still have questions:

• When should I bring my child in for the first visit?
• If my child only has two teeth, do I need to floss them?
• My child is active and loves sports, and knocked out a baby tooth. Should I have her other teeth checked?

Or, what about your own dental care?

• Are your teeth sensitive to cold?
• Maybe your smile isn’t as white as you’d like it to be?

How we can help

At Cove Dental, Dr. Waites and his staff use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to help keep your whole family’s smile bright.

Whether it’s your child’s first dental visit or your 51st cleaning, Dr. Waites is here to make your visit comfortable and enjoyable. It’s important to establish a relationship of trust with your dentist, and Dr. Waites has been described as comforting and professional by his patients.

Schedule your appointment today using our short online form, or call us at 256.880.7957. We look forward to taking care of you in our impressive new facility.

Even though we’ve been brushing our whole lives, there are still common errors adults make when brushing teeth. We’re sharing the best ways to brush teeth here.

You’re diligent about brushing your teeth every day.

But, is that enough?

Brushing your teeth is like second nature, but it’s easy to forget that it’s more than just brushing.

Consider these stats:

• 25% of adults don’t brush their teeth twice per day.
• Just 42% of adults use toothpaste to brush their teeth.
• 25% of people in the US don’t floss daily.
• 20% of the US doesn’t floss at all.
• Just 31% of adults use mouthwash.

Sound familiar?

You’re not alone. Brushing errors are common, but left unremedied, they lead to this:

• Plaque build-up
• Quicker tooth decay
• Gum Disease
• Frequent bad breath
• Damaged tooth enamel

Forget that. Let’s stay on the safe side, and fix those common mistakes now before it’s worse down the road.

To start, here are five common brushing errors adults are making right now. Let’s talk about the best ways to brush teeth:

Not Brushing Twice a Day

It’s true: 1 in 4 U.S. adults don’t brush their teeth nearly enough.

But the 18-24 age bracket is even worse, claiming 37% go up to two days without brushing their teeth.

If you find yourself skipping a day or two, you miss out this:

• A 22% improvement in overall oral health
• Improved immune system.
• Less risk for dementia: one study found that participants who didn’t brush their teeth regularly were more at risk of dementia by 22% to 65%.

Now that should put all those times you went to bed without brushing your teeth into perspective.

It’s a simple mistake, but a costly one down the stretch.

To stay on track, set an alert on your phone to remind you to brush before bed. This should help you pick up that twice-a-day habit in no time.

Brushing, But not Flossing

Imagine this all-too-common scenario: you sleep through your alarm, have a 9:00am meeting, and have just 10 minutes to get ready, brush your teeth, and head out the door. Who has time to floss?

More than a quarter of adults don’t brush their teeth twice a day. Even more let flossing fall by the wayside.

American Dental Association studies show:

• Only 40% of U.S. adults floss
• 20% of adults are not flossing at all
• 27% of adults are less than truthful about their flossing habits.

So, why the aversion to flossing?

The American Dental Association recognizes that daily flossing, like brushing, should take only two minutes.

But the more flossing you miss, the more work it becomes. Soon, it becomes a more painful, messy experience as weeks turn into months.

So painful in fact, that more than a third of adults would rather do their least favorite chores than floss.

This means, adults who avoid flossing are at risk for:

• Gingivitis developing into periodontitis, a gum disease that forms pockets around the teeth, causing food particles to collect and trigger inflammation.

• Bad breath or halitosis: The Mayo Clinic cites poor oral hygiene as one of the primary causes of halitosis.

• Cavities: If you don’t clean between your teeth, tooth decay will damage your inner and outer tooth layer, or dentin, resulting in a cavity.

Not Brushing the Right Way

When you’re in a rush, the last thing on your mind is how you brush your teeth.

But not brushing the right way can lead to surprise dental issues. Let’s make the most out of your two minutes and explore the right way to brush your teeth:

• Be gentle: Take it easy. You don’t have to brush your teeth aggressively. This could damage your enamel and gum line. Remember to use soft, circular motions and not bend toothbrush bristles against the enamel.

• Change up your starting point: This may surprise you. Richard Price of the ADA actually recommends switching up the location of where you start your brushing. Psychologically, this prevents boredom and helps ensure that each tooth is given proper attention!

• Molars and inner teeth: It’s easy to brush your front teeth really well, but even easier to forget molars and hard-to-reach teeth.

Not Taking Care of Your Toothbrush

Ask yourself: when was the last time you changed your toothbrush?

With so much talk of how to brush and when to brush, the importance of your actual toothbrush itself can become an afterthought.

Believe it or not, if your toothbrush looks past its expiration date, it can also detriment your oral hygiene as well.

Let’s discuss five important points you need to know:

• Toothbrush size: toothbrushes are not one size fits all. If your toothbrush is too large or small, you’ll miss those important molars and inner teeth.

• Bristles: avoid cheap toothbrushes with hard, rough bristles. These only damage the surface of your teeth and can irritate the gumline. Dental professionals recommend using soft bristles for more gentle, circular strokes.

• Always clean your toothbrush: after brushing, thoroughly rinse your toothbrush out and store it in a cup or container. Allowing food particles to linger will cause bacteria to grow on your toothbrush.

• Replace your toothbrush: remember to buy a new toothbrush at least every four months. Old toothbrushes are like Petri dishes for bacteria.

Not Including Enough Flouride

More than 4 out of 10 adults are not using toothpaste to brush their teeth, and a third don’t use mouthwash either.

But, why is fluoride so important?

First and foremost, fluoride removes plaque. Toothpaste is simply a paste that makes scrubbing your teeth easier, but it’s fluoride that removes build-up and prevents decay.

A daily dose of fluoride benefits your smile in the following ways:

• It’s a natural mineral that protects teeth surfaces from agents that cause tooth decay, like acids from food.

• Strengthens already weakened enamel.

• Fluoride toothpaste is credited for a drastic drop in cavities since the 1960s.

• It prevents receding gums caused by gum disease.

• It helps prevent future dental procedures like fillings and extractions.

When buying your toothpaste and mouthwash, make sure they have the ADA seal of approval. This way, you know you’re getting the recommended intake of fluoride!

Ready to start taking care of your teeth the right way?

Improved daily brushing means improved bi-annual check-ups.

Make an appointment today to get started on your new track toward spectacular oral hygiene.

Do you keep putting off that dentist appointment because of fear and anxiety?

Are you haunted by a past negative experience?

Do you literally feel sick to your stomach at the very thought of sitting in that dental chair?

Dental phobia is a very real thing and affects millions of people in the U.S. Unfortunately, giving into those fears just creates more dental woes down the road. 

However, there are steps you can take to calm your nerves and eventually eliminate your dental phobias altogether. 

So sit back and relax with these five tips for calming your fears. 

Today’s Dentistry Is Safe and Gentle

Dentistry has come a long way.

It’s gentler, less painful, more accurate, and uses state-of-the-art tools. But despite such advancements, up to 15% of Americans still avoid going to the dentist because of their dental phobia.  

That’s almost 40 million people! 

So why are so many Americans afraid to go to the dentist?

To understand, let’s break down what dental phobia is all about:

• Fear of Pain
• Not being in control
• Past negative experiences at the dentist
• Embarrassment

Fortunately, today’s dentistry practices include gentle cleaning techniques, equipment, and medications to make sure you feel as little pain as possible. 

Tools are thin and narrow, which makes for more comfortable teeth cleanings and procedures. 

Today’s dental implants and fillings are long-lasting, comfortable, and feel more natural. 

For example, if you need fillings, dentists now use natural-looking tooth composites that comfortably mold to your teeth, so you experience far less pain post-procedure. Plus, you’re also given medication or numbing agents during your procedure to eliminate any pain. 

Don’t be afraid to speak up to your hygienist either, and let them know you’re worried about your sensitive teeth and gums. 

Of course, the best way to avoid pain at the dentist is to properly brush and floss your teeth every day.

Medications Keep The Pain Away

If you need fillings, root canals, restorative work, or any other serious dental procedures, know that your dentist will never proceed before administering medication for the pain. 

Experienced dentists use the following medications to reduce anxiety and control pain:

• Nitrous oxide: Commonly known as “laughing gas”, nitrous oxide is used to calm patients for more complicated dental surgeries. 
• For intense teeth cleanings, your hygienist may use anesthetic gels or special patches. 
• If you’re extra nervous, your dentist may recommend a sedative for your procedure.
• Your dentist may use a rub some cetacaine on your gums to numb them before minor dental work.
• For fillings and other dental procedures, your dentist may inject a local anesthetic into your gums.

If you have any preferences or concerns, make sure to discuss them all with your dentist prior to your procedure, and make sure you have someone ready to pick you up from your appointment. 

For involved surgeries, like wisdom teeth pulling, your dentist will also prescribe an extra strength pain medication for your recovery. 

Time Flys When You’re Distracted 

One of the best ways to calm your nerves is to distract yourself. 

Dentist offices have books and magazines to pass the time, but you can do a lot on your own to ease your worries. 

In fact, studies show that participating in hobbies can reduce stress by 34%!

Here are some hassle-free hobbies you can do in the waiting room:

• Drawing and sketching
• Journaling
• Smartphone games
• Crossword puzzles
• Handheld games
• Knitting and crochet

You may want to bring a stress ball or putty to manage all that nervous energy while you wait. 

You can also distract yourself during your cleaning or procedure. 

Some offices include TVs on the ceiling to entertain patients during routine cleanings. You may also use headphones to listen to calming music during your procedure as well. 

Relaxation Techniques For Dental Phobia

Everyone’s nerves set in the day of their dentist appointment.

If you’re extra nervous, try the following relaxation techniques before your appointment:

• Meditation
• Light walking
• Yoga
• Calming teas
• Calming bath
• Massage

You can also try visualization exercises to help “transport” yourself to a more calming place. People will often think of the ocean and visualize the air, sand, salty taste, and waves to calm their nerves. That’s why listening to nature sounds is so relaxing. 

You may also want to light calming candles and incense as well. Common calming scents include jasmine, lavender, lemon, fresh-cut grass, and vanilla.

Though tempting, refrain from aggressively brushing and flossing your teeth to make up for lost time. Poor dental care is one of the main reasons people avoid the dentist, but if you overcompensate, your gums will be more tender, inflamed, and prone to pain during your cleaning. 

Be Honest With Your Dentist 

Just one negative experience can trigger dental phobia. 

Over time, dental phobia naturally leads to embarrassment from discolorations, chipped teeth, gum inflammation, and other concerns. 

Embarrassment is one of the main reasons people put off going to the dentist, but understand that your dentist has seen it all. Literally.

They’ve seen every cavity, missing tooth, abscess, and broken tooth imaginable, so don’t let your embarrassment hold you back. 

Don’t hesitate to tell your dentist you’re embarrassed either or express any other concerns you have. 

There are also dentists more specialized in dealing with nervous patients than others. That’s why it’s important to consult with office staff and potential dentists first.

If you have a good relationship with your dentist, it’s much easier to talk about your dental phobia and eventually get over your fears. Plus, you and your dentist can discuss using a special signal to stop or slow down a procedure if you get too nervous.

Of course, the best way to keep dental phobia at bay is to brush and floss properly every day and to visit your dentist at least twice a year. 

It doesn’t take much to get spooked from the dentist, but dental phobia prevents you from getting the dental work you need.

Call today to find a dentist who can help you manage your dental phobia and remember these five relaxing tips for staying calm on appointment day.