Easing Dental Anxiety: Coping Methods that Can Help

Dental phobia is a very common issue among patients. It is estimated that as many as 15% of Americans avoid going to the dentist due to fear. Dental phobia is a fear that is specific to dental settings, and dental fear is a general feeling of anxiety. Dental phobia is an intense fear or anxiety that causes patients to avoid the dentist. Dental fear can cause patients to avoid the dentist altogether, or it can make patients anxious about getting dental treatment, which can result in dental anxiety. Discuss your dental fears with your dentist It’s normal to feel some anxiety or fear before visiting a dentist. However, you do not have to deal with those negative emotions alone. Talk to your dentist about your fears and work together to overcome them. A good bonding between a patient and his or her dentist can encourage open communication and create a safe and caring environment. With proper communication between the patient and dentist, the patients can be less anxious and more relaxed. Your dentist will also explain all the procedures and techniques that he or she uses so you can understand why they’re being used. You can also ask any question that you may have regarding a procedure or medication. This can help remove at least some of the fear of the unknown from the patient’s mind.  Bring your friend or family member for support It is normal for patients to feel anxious during their visit to the dentist’s office. However, bringing a friend or a family member can relieve some of your worries. Having someone by your side can also help you feel more at ease during the procedure.  Bring distractions to occupy your mind during procedures Bring a book or movie that you enjoy. Some patients find it helpful to bring headphones to listen to their favorite music during the appointment to help them stay distracted and relaxed. Others prefer to bring a stress ball to squeeze in their hands in between the procedure. You can also bring a book to read during your spare time at the dentist’s office. Agree on a signal with the dentist Some patients get anxious about dental procedures, and this anxiety gets worse during long procedures. When the procedure gets longer, you might feel uncomfortable in the dental chair and might want to take a break. That is why you need to agree on a signal with your dentist that you can use to let your dentist know when you need to take a break. This way, you can finish the procedure without any further interruptions or risks. Consider sedation dentistry Sedation dentistry uses medication to relieve anxiety or pain during a procedure. Two types of sedation are oral sedation and IV sedation. Check with your dentist to see which one is right for you. Oral sedation is taken by mouth in the form of a pill. This can make you groggy and relaxed during the dental visit. An advantage of oral sedation is that it is less expensive than IV sedation. IV sedation is administered intravenously through a vein in the arm. It provides a deeper level of relaxation and tends to be more expensive than oral sedation.  Get in touch with Willow Glen Dental Care at 1600 Willow St, Suite 203, San Jose, CA 95125, or call (408) 978-0911 to learn more about dental services. 

FAQ About Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments!

Teeth whitening treatments are one of the most commonly performed cosmetic dental procedures. It is a safe and easy way to improve the look of your smile. If you wish to learn more about professional teeth whitening treatments, read on. Professional teeth whitening Professional whitening is a process that whitens teeth by bleaching them. A whitening gel is used to strengthen the enamel and bleach the teeth to remove the stains, ultimately making them whiter.  Professional strength hydrogen peroxide is used to whiten the teeth in the dentist's office because the concentration is higher than what you can purchase at the store. This higher concentration of peroxide breaks down the compounds that cause staining on the teeth. This is why it can typically take multiple treatments with at-home kits to see results. However, some whitening systems offer prescription-strength gel that speeds up the process even more. * How does professional teeth whitening work? Professional teeth whitening uses stronger whitening agents than those found in over-the-counter products, and your dentist will supervise your treatment to ensure that it's safe for your teeth. They'll start with an examination of your mouth to look for signs of tooth decay or gum disease before recommending teeth whitening treatments. Your dentist will then clean your teeth before applying the whitening gel to your teeth. During in-office whitening, a special light is used to activate the gel, causing it to penetrate deeply into your teeth and break up stains on a deeper level than at-home whitening methods can. Once the treatment is done, your dentist may require you to schedule a follow-up appointment to assess the results. If your teeth aren't as white as you'd like them to be, they can perform another treatment session. * Are professional teeth whitening safe? Yes! Professional whitening treatments use prescription-strength whitening agents that are safe for your smile. In fact, only your dentist can provide special application techniques that ensure you don't experience sensitivity or gum irritation as a result of your treatment. Additionally, custom-fitted whitening trays ensure that the solution is applied to your teeth evenly and that it won't slip off your gums. If you are worried about side effects from professional whitening, talk to your dentist for more information about how to avoid these issues. * Is whitening toothpaste effective? Whitening toothpaste is effective for removing surface stains from teeth. However, it does not contain bleaching agents and will not brighten your smile if it is more discolored than a white smile. The only way to brighten a smile is with a professional whitening treatment from a cosmetic or restorative dentist. These treatments contain hydrogen peroxide gel that deeply penetrates the teeth and breaks apart the stain molecules. Your cosmetic dentist will be able to assess your smile and let you know which type of whitening is right for you. Professional teeth whitening lasts much longer than over-the-counter whitening solutions but costs slightly more as well. However, it is significantly safer for your teeth since the solution won't touch your gums. Over-the-counter whitening products can cause irritation to the soft tissue in the mouth. For best results, you should brush your teeth with whitening toothpaste twice a day and floss at least once each day. You should also avoid eating sweets and drinking colorful beverages like soda, which can stain your teeth quickly if you consume them frequently. While whitening toothpaste can be effective at removing some surface stains from your smile, it will not whiten your teeth if they are yellowed or brown due to past trauma to the tooth or other factors. Only your dentist can prescribe stronger whitening solutions that can give you the beautiful, sparkling smile you've always wanted. * Does whitening gel really work? Yes! Professional teeth whiteners use peroxide to break down stains and discoloration on the enamel of your teeth, revealing a whiter smile. When used as instructed, professional-strength whiteners provide the best results. However, there are some limitations to using whitening gels. They aren't effective against certain types of staining or discoloration, like intrinsic tooth stains caused by tetracycline use or the ingestion of too much fluoride as a child. Teeth whitening gel also doesn't have much effect on the color of crowns, porcelain veneers, or other cosmetic dental work. Full coverage crowns and veneers can't be lightened with over-the-counter whitening products, either. Get in touch with Willow Glen Dental Care at 1600 Willow St, Suite 203, San Jose, CA 95125, or call (408) 978-0911 to learn more about dental services. 

Oral Health Tips for Winter Holidays

Winter is around the corner, and so are the holidays. Along with the holidays come extended holiday parties, late-night snacking, and indulgent foods. If you are the host, then you’re already under a pile of preparations. In between this, you tend to ignore your teeth. RINSE WITH WATER AFTER MEALS When you do eat sugary foods, rinsing your mouth afterward can help eliminate some of the bacteria and food particles that can contribute to tooth decay and cavities. Carry a travel-sized toothbrush with you when visiting friends or family during the holiday season so you can quickly clean your teeth after eating sugar-laden foods. DRINK WATER REGULARLY Dry winter air can leave your throat, sinuses, and mouth feeling parched. However, drinking water can also help keep the bacteria that cause cavities at bay. A dry mouth contains acid-producing bacteria that can erode tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay. So make sure to drink plenty of tap water during your holiday parties to help prevent decay! Did you know? Water is an important part of your dental hygiene routine. Drinking water can keep your gums hydrated and wash away the bacteria that can cause plaque buildup and gum disease. Plus, it can help rinse away food particles from your teeth after eating a meal or snack. If you don’t have time to brush your teeth after a meal, rinsing your mouth with water will help remove leftover debris and keep your teeth clean. If you are planning on drinking alcohol this holiday season, remember to avoid brushing your teeth for at least one hour afterward. Alcohol can dry out your mouth and weaken your tooth enamel, so it is best to wait before brushing to give your teeth time to recover. It is also best to consume acidic foods and beverages in moderation. Acidic foods and drinks can harm tooth enamel over time by stripping away the minerals that protect your teeth.  BRUSH AND FLOSS YOUR TEETH EVERYDAY If you’re going to be eating lots of sugary food and drinks during the holidays, then it’s important to brush your teeth after every meal. This will help prevent tooth decay and cavities, as well as keep your breath fresh and clean. If toothbrushing isn’t an option after eating due to time constraints or location, then try to rinse your mouth out with water or mouthwash. It’s also helpful to carry a pack of travel-size toothpaste and a toothbrush with you wherever you go so that you can brush on the go if you need to. Just make sure to still bring your normal oral hygiene equipment with you too. That way, you’ll have all your bases covered! When flossing, make sure to also clean the gum line to remove food particles, and debris stuck between the teeth. Make this a part of your daily dental hygiene routine, and visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and check-ups. USE FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste can help protect your smile from cavities. To maximize protection from fluoride, wait at least 30 minutes after consuming any food or beverage before brushing. This allows your mouth to rinse off the sugar you’ve consumed before it has a chance to cause decay.  AVOID SUGARY DRINKS Sugary drinks like soda, sweet tea, and juice are loaded with sugar that can feed bacteria and cause plaque buildup. You can still enjoy these beverages occasionally but make sure to drink plenty of water to rinse away food and bacteria from your teeth. Get in touch with Willow Glen Dental Care at 1600 Willow St, Suite 203, San Jose, CA 95125, or call (408) 978-0911 to learn more about dental services. Make an appointment today so we can make sure your smile is ready for all the holiday festivities!