Day: June 25, 2015

Your Child’s First Dental Visit: What You Should Know: There are several memorable milestones in a child’s life: the first words, the first steps and the first tooth … which means the first trip to the dentist. Getting your child ready for the dentist can be a daunting task, and to some, it seems unimportant. After all, the child is going to lose the “baby teeth” anyway. So how important is a first trip to a dentist? Very important.

Baby Teeth Set The Stage

Baby teeth are so crucial that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests that children should see a pediatric dentist when their first tooth appears and no later than their first birthday. Decay in baby teeth can increase the risk of decay in permanent teeth, and baby teeth help form a path that permanent teeth will follow. No one wants to have an unpleasant experience at the dental office. At Dental Express, we offer the convenience of being able to care for your entire family—our dental professionals specialize in treating both adults and children, so we are sensitive to the needs and concerns of our younger patients.

Tips For Your Child’s First Dental Visit

By making your child’s first trip to the dentist a positive one, you set the stage for a lifetime of good dental health. Here are some tips to help prepare your child for his or her first dental checkup:

• Provide a list of any medical conditions your child has or any medication he or she may be taking.
• Find an age-appropriate manner to explain to your child what is going to happen at the dentist’s office. This may involve finger puppets or colorful characters such as the “mouth monsters” that can be found here.
• Practice brushing your child’s teeth. Not only will this help establish good dental habits, but it will get your child used to the feel of a toothbrush in his or her mouth.
• Introduce your child to the dentist on the first visit. It may help for the dentist to show the tools that will be used.
• Bring a security blanket or a favorite toy to help your child feel more comfortable.
• Sometimes letting the child see and hear certain dental tools before a cleaning can be helpful, particularly if these tools–such as the suction cup/ spitting cup and rotary toothbrush—make loud noises.
• Reward good behavior by allowing the child to get a small prize from a grab bag.
• We have found that children (and adults!) enjoy looking at the trains in our waiting areas. Visiting the office before your actual appointment can help introduce the child to a new building with new sights, sounds and smells, therefore reducing anxiety before the actual appointment.

If you have questions about children’s dentistry or how to prepare your child for his or her first checkup, feel free to speak with us! We have provided dental care for entire families. We are happy to work with parents to ensure a positive experience and to help you teach your child about the importance of good dental hygiene.

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Sources: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry “FAQ: America’s Pediatric Dentists” Fox, Isadora. Parents Magazine. “First Trip to the Dentist.” American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry “Mouth Monsters“

Teeth Are Fascinating

How is your heart health linked to your oral health? What’s the hardest substance in your body? How do pig’s teeth compare to yours? Check out the answers to these questions and more in our fascinating facts infographic!

Afraid of the dentist? Here are 4 tips to help you relax: Spiders. Germs. Heights. What do they all have in common? They are some of the most common phobias in the world. Those with arachnophobia panic at the sight of a spider. Someone with mysophobia continually washes his or her hands due to a fear of germs. Don’t expect someone with acrophobia – the fear of heights – to climb a ladder to change your light bulb.

Dentophobia Is No Joke

But there’s another common phobia, and while you may have experienced it, you may not know its name. Dentophobia is a fear of the dentist. For many adults, this phobia can keep them from getting the medical help they need. A trip to the dentist can be intimidating. After all, there are whirring drills, lights, and sometimes, gum-numbing injections. For five percent of the population, this fear is so severe that their dental health suffers. In fact, according to Women’s Health Magazine, roughly 25 percent of those surveyed would prefer to never have a dental exam. This can lead to untreated tooth decay, which can, in turn, create a need for more intensive dental work. Before we review some tips to help you relax at the dentist, let’s look at the nature of a phobia. While it is perfectly natural to be leery of certain things (snakes, heights, spiders), those with phobias have such an extensive fear of these objects that it interferes with their daily life. Often, this phobia invokes a “fight or flight” response, which, in turn, can cause a panic attack. Frequent panic attacks may intensify the fear. Phobias can be caused by a traumatic event, unpleasant memories, or a previous upsetting experience. The good news is that relaxation techniques can help patients with dentophobia during a dental exam.

4 Tips To Help You Overcome Your Fear of the Dentist

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden studied dentophobia and found that there are several strategies patients can use to overcome their fear of the dentist:

1. Imagination – Try distracting yourself by daydreaming or playing mental games. Essentially, anything that will help you think of something else can help you relax.
2. Encouragement – Tell yourself that you are strong and be optimistic about dental treatment.
3. Communication – If you are afraid of the dentist, let your dentist know! Many dental practices offer sedation or other techniques for helping you relax. For example, if you are bothered by the noise of the drill, then use earplugs. If you’re a mouth-breather and have trouble breathing with instruments in your mouth, you may wish to consider Breathe Rite strips or something similar.
4. Education – Sometimes, fear of the unknown can contribute to a fear of the dentist. Speak with your dentist about what to expect and what is going to be done on your visit.

Be aware that the longer you put off going to the dentist, the more involved your appointment may become. Untreated tooth decay can lead to other problems that may warrant a tooth root canal or tooth removal. Most important, let your dentist know about your fears. You are not alone, and you shouldn’t be embarrassed to discuss this phobia with your healthcare team. In many cases, they may be able to help you overcome or cope with this fear so you can get the dental treatment you need.

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Sources: Chan, Amanda. “Dental Phobia: 7 Common Fears and How to Conquer Them.” Women’s Health. “The Top 10 Most Common Phobias, Ranked.” Cherry, Kendra “What is a Phobia?”