Dental Health

Dental Fear - What is it and How to Get Over It

Dental Fear

Dental Fear - What is it and How to Get Over It

If you're afraid of going to the dentist, you're not alone. A British Dental Association survey revealed that 25% of British people experience some degree of fear of going to the dentist, or dental phobia, and a survey by the American Association of Endodontists showed that a massive 80% of American adults are afraid of the dentist and, of those, half say that their fear prevents them from scheduling a check-up. So, what exactly is dental fear and what can be done to get over it?

There are several levels of dental fear. On the low end of the scale is a simple fear of the unknown which may manifest itself as a simple reluctance to visit the dentist. On the other end of the scale, there is full-blown dental phobia. Here anything related to dentistry or dental care, such as an advertisement for mouthwash, can induce severe feelings of stress or panic.

There are many possible causes of dental fear, including negative childhood experiences at the dentists, fear of loss of control, fear of needles or the dentist's drill, or that one's personal space is being invaded.
The impact of dental fear on someone's life obviously depends on its severity, but in many cases it causes the patient to feel a sense of dread before and during every visit to the dentist. Prior to their appointment, they may find themselves increasingly preoccupied with thoughts of what will happen, unable to sleep, and in more severe cases, may experience a sense of extreme anxiety, and even panic.

A large number of people actually experience fear so acutely that they avoid going to see dentists for check-ups, or even when they are clearly in need of treatment. They may put up with abscesses, infected gums and toothache rather than go to the dentist, and some will even put up with pain so bad that they are unable to eat with part of their mouths.

When dental fear leads to the avoidance of necessary treatment, initial problems such as poor dental health, pain and stress can quickly become much more serious: dental problems have been shown to cause or worsen other health problems in the body, such as heart disease and diabetes.

In addition to facing potentially serious health issues, people who neglect dental problems for whatever reason typically find themselves facing much higher financial costs as more extensive dental treatment becomes necessary. Additionally, there are also the inevitable costs to the person's confidence and peace-of-mind that so often accompany poor dental and general health. It is therefore important that people with dental fear do not allow it to prevent them from receiving regular check-ups and, when necessary, treatment.
So what can be done about dental fear? Here are some simple steps that can help alleviate or completely remove fear of the dentist:

First of all, it's important to understand that dental technology has moved on a lot in the past few years, and if your fear is based on painful prior experiences, you can feel reassured that things are likely to be much easier and less painful now. For example, if you're afraid of injections, dentists can now use a gel that numbs your gum before an injection so that you don't even feel it. Or you can ask about the variety of sedation options that are available.

In recent years, dentists have become much more aware of the importance of reassuring patients and putting them at ease. A lot of dentists make special efforts to make their clinics as inviting and relaxing as possible, with pleasant interiors and a friendly team. Many offer counselling and will be happy just to talk you through the options available to you. The keys here are to find a dentist that specialises in treating nervous patients and that you feel comfortable with. It's really worth looking around and, with so many dentists available in most areas, there is no reason to continue with a dentist you cannot relax with or one you feel is not the best for the job.

Before you even go to see a dentist, try to work out why you have your fear: when did you first begin to feel it? Was there any particular cause? Often fear of the dentist is very generalised, but if you can pinpoint the cause of your fear, or what exactly you're afraid of, you'll be able to discuss this with the dentist and he or she will be able to put you at ease.

If you're very scared, you can follow a progressive approach to your dental care by working up to your treatment over a series of visits. This will give you greater and greater confidence in visiting the dentist. For example, your first visit could just be to discuss various options and to talk with your dentist, and maybe to receive some counselling. Your second visit could be for a very basic check where the dentist uses only a mirror, and then in your next appointment, you could progress to a simple clean and polish.

Many patients feel stressed because they perceive themselves to be helpless while at the dentists. To reduce this feeling, consider agreeing on a "stop" sign with the dentist: when you make a certain gesture he or she will stop treatment and let you take a break or ask questions. A simple strategy such as this can give a major boost to your confidence and help you to relax.

Other things you can do to relax while at the dentist include keeping your mind focused on something more pleasant than your treatment. Consider listening to some music, an audio book or a speech or lecture: your dentist should be happy for you to take your iPod or music player in with you, and some will be happy to play your music over speakers in the treatment room.

While you're in the dentist's chair, you can also use mental exercises or games to take your attention off your treatment. You can also make plans, think of something to reward yourself after your appointment, or just think about some of your happy memories (or ways to create new ones!) You can even set yourself physical challenges to do, like trying to wriggle each of your toes individually! Before you go to the dentist, try to think of some ways you can channel your attention onto something that will help you to relax.

A few other ideas to help you relax:

- Find organisations that specialise in helping people with phobias (ask your doctor and check local healthcare websites)

- Consider hypnosis to help you get over your fears: for some people the results can be incredibly powerful
- Take a friend with you to the dentists

- Eat something before you go so you don't feel faint during treatment

Whatever you decide to do, the best way to get over your fear of the dentist long term is first to accept that dental care by a skilled dentist is essential to your overall health and well-being, and then to make dental treatment almost unnecessary, so that you don't actually need anything beyond the occasional check-up and cleaning. Take good care of your teeth by brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss regularly and look after your general health. By doing so, you'll soon get into a cycle where you see your dentist just twice a year for routine check-ups that are over in just a few minutes and without any pain. When you get to this stage, you'll be able to realise that visiting the dentist is no longer a major cause of concern for you, and is actually just "routine."

The Importance of Dental Care To Overall Body Health

Dental care involves taking good care of your teeth, gums and the related structures of the mouth. Dental care includes prevention and treatment of diseases of the gum and teeth, and also the replacement or repair of defective teeth. In many cases people may suffer from dental diseases due to sheer laziness and lack of knowledge towards proper dental care, with mostly the children and at times adults who often do not pay enough attention to teeth care. They fail to realize that healthy teeth and gum is extremely important to keeping you healthy and sound. Proper dental health is not only important to our healthy physical looks; it is essential to the well being of the entire body.

Maintaining good dental health can at times prove to be expensive. Therefore it is important that you go for a good dental insurance that covers the costs of your dental treatment be it a routine check up or an emergency. Purchasing dental insurance from a good dental insurance company relieves you of the hassles and worries of the otherwise expensive cost of keeping your oral cavity healthy. With dental insurance you can choose a specific dental plan that is right for you. However, before choosing a dental plan from any dental insurance company you must pay attention to the following points:

* You should ask the dental insurance company for its actual office address and not just its P.O. Box address. This step should give you peace of mind in knowing that you are purchasing dental insurance from a real dental insurance company. Ask for its office phone number so that you can contact the office any time to learn more about its dental plans.

* Ask the dental insurance company if it covers specific procedures performed by your dentist. If you are searching for a dental plan that covers teeth fillings and teeth cleanings, that dental plan should not cost you much. On the other hand, if you would like to have x-rays and fluoride paid by your dental plan, then this type of dental plan most likely should cost a bit more.

* Ask the dental insurance company about your personal dentist's role in its dental plan. If your dentist is not on its list, then it is rather useless selecting such type of dental plan. Since your dentist is the one most familiar with your dental health, it is better to ask your dentist which dental insurance companies' dental plans he participates in.

* You can do a thorough research on dental insurance companies online. Dental health is a new and fast growing industry and is getting very competitive. You can find a wide selection of dental plans ranging from $15.00 per month to $100 per month.

There's nothing more attractive than a beautiful smile. But if your fear is getting in the way, it's time to have a backup plan. For more on Dental Care click here

Dental Plans For Great Dental Care

People often do not pay as much attention to their dental health as they do to other illnesses, often with serious consequences. To keep dental diseases at bay and to meet the rising costs of dental treatment it is important that you choose a good dental plan. Having a dental plan should encourage you to take more preventive care of your teeth to avoid the more serious dental problems.

With medical insurance services, the cost of a particular medical treatment or health check is reimbursed directly by the insurance company to the medical service provider. With dental insurance plans, the company is responsible for reimbursing the dentist. Dental plans can however vary in type and feature. Dentists participating in discount dental plans take lower fees than those covered by regular dental plans, with discounts varying between 20% and 60%.

All dental plans charge a membership fee, with the amount varying from one plan to the other. Dental plans are offered to either individuals or to the whole family, with family dental plans usually offering bigger discounts than individual dental plans. You should compare the rates charged under the different plans before selecting the most appropriate one for you.

It is important also to know the type of dental services covered by your dental plan. Routine dental check ups and dental treatments such as oral examination, teeth cleaning, fluoride treatment, teeth filling and teeth extraction are generally covered by most dental plans. However, dental plans do not always cover major dental care treatments such as oral surgery, dental implants, restorative care, braces, root canal treatments etc. In case of such costly dental procedures you unfortunately have to foot the bill yourself. Often there are a number of alternative treatments available for certain dental problems. Under such circumstances dental plans allow reimbursement for the cost of the basic dental treatment, and further costs in excess of the basic treatment cost has to be covered by the patient.

Dental health plans may or may not allow you to choose your own dentist, but it is common practice for patients to generally receive dental care from dentists mentioned in the plan. Before choosing a plan make sure that the participating dentists practice in your area. Choose a plan that is accepted nationwide and not restricted to your state. Check whether you are allowed to visit the dentist unscheduled, or at scheduled hours only.

You also need to decide whether you want an annual plan or a monthly plan. Annual dental plans are more cost beneficial than monthly plans. So get regular check ups with your dentist to reap the maximum benefits out of your dental plan.

Dread the dentist? Read THIS

Homeopathic, Natural and Not-So-Natural Teething Remedies

Many parents know all to well the signs of teething in their baby but many feel powerless to help their child's teething problems. However, there is a range of teething remedies for all stages of your baby's teething. Knowing the remedy available and how and when to apply it is the key.

Homeopathic teething remedies are a great way to ease the discomfort of baby teething. Homeopathic remedies have been used for many years and can be highly effective, but you should only use a homeopathic teething remedy in conjunction with expert advice and guidance.

Apis mellifica is used to ease swollen gums before and after the eruption of teeth. Apis mellifica means 'whole honeybee' and was first discovered by the Rev. Brauns, in Thuringia, Germany, in 1853.

Calcarea carbonica: Some babies are late to teeth and the experience can be very distressing for late developers. Babies who need this remedy are usually chubby, slow to learn to crawl or walk and their heads often sweat during naps or sleep at night.

Essential oil of cloves has long been known as a natural local anesthetic. You administer the clove oil by adding one drop in one or two tablespoons of organic sunflower oil.

Kreosotum: This remedy can ease a child's stress when she has irritating saliva and severe discomfort during teething. Kreosotum is very beneficial if a baby's teeth succumb to decay soon after erupting from the gums.
Pulsatilla: especially good for teething babies who are clingy, nervous or tearful.
Sulphur: good if your baby has a reddish irritation or rash on the chin or diaper area during teething episodes. Diarrhea (often whitish) is not caused irectly by teething but because of stress from teething. The baby is irritable and anxious, feeling worse from being warm.

Other Natural Homeopathic teething remedies include a stick of licorice and chamomilla. As stated above, any parent contemplating using a homeopathic remedy for teething should do so only in conjunction with expert medical advice.

Natural teething remedies are becoming more popular as many parents want to avoid the use of any drugs or medicines on their baby. Many natural teething remedies have been around for thousands of years; there effectiveness depends on the child.

Bread, in various forms has been used for thousand of years, more recently the bagel has been used by parents in both Europe and America; the bagel being the right consistency - as is doesn't break apart too easily - and it's also a very easy shape for young child to grab hold of. Teething biscuits are also very popular. In the recent past many parents began to avoid buying teething biscuits as the biscuits often contained large amounts of sugar, salt and other ingredient not good for babies. But, things have changed and many manufacturers make teething biscuits free of these bad ingredients.

Vegetables are also commonly used to ease the pain of baby teething. Vegetables such as carrots and cucumbers make ideal soothers because of their texture - you can also put them in the fridge beforehand, as the coolness will also numb teeth and gums.

Some of the more dubious natural teething remedies include the wearing of coral as a necklace. The ancient Egyptians recorded this practice. Also amber necklaces have, and are still used, as natural teething remedies, as are silver spoons.

For those parents who don't care whether a teething remedy is natural or not the following can be tried.
The first recorded use of teething rings has been found on Sumerian sandstone tablets, around 3000 years ago. Perhaps teething rings could be considered natural but many were made of plastic using diisononyl phthalate - a chemical which can be cancer causing. The chemical is used as a softening agent during the manufacturing process and most teething toys contain about 10 to 20 percent phthalate. Many manufacturers have now stopped using this chemical but not all!

Other no-so-natural teething remedies include teething gels. Many teething gels contain a mild analgesic that act as a painkiller and also contain mild antiseptics that kill a variety of bacteria and fungi that might infect sore or broken skin in the mouth. Experts caution against the excessive use of teething gels as they contain benzocaine. There is a risk of allergic reaction. In addition, benzocaine can cause numbing of the throat and could lead to choking. Consult your doctor if you want to help relieve your child's pain with benzocaine.

Teething tablets are designed to melt quickly in the child's mouth and, in so doing, help alleviate the pain of teething. The active ingredients are usually Chamomilla (see homeopathic remedies above), which helps reduce irritability, and Belladonna, which helps reduce inflammation. Consult your doctor before using teething tablets.

The above are just some of the options available to parents to help ease a child's teething pains but there are many more teething remedies. Perhaps the best teething remedy for your baby is just good old fashioned patience, distraction and, above all, lots of cuddles.