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Dental Phobics: Ways To Ease Your Dental Fears

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Do you avoid going to the dentist until you absolutely have to? Do you tense at the thought of a cleaning appointment? Do you experience intense fear when in the dentist’s chair? If you’ve answered “Yes” to these questions, you are a dental phobic and let me try to help you.

Dental phobia is more common that you think. In fact, it is one of the top 10 fears that people experience. Some studies have concluded that 75 percent of people experience at least a little fear regarding dental visits and that 10 to 15 percent experience intense fear that prevents them from seeking dental treatment. Also, about 8% of Americans avoid dentists all together due to fear.

There are various reasons that patients can suffer from dental phobia. These could range from a bad dental experience you may have had as a child to a pre-existing anxiety disorder. It could also be due to a feeling of lack of control or a biological mechanism. The latter is because our ancestors had a deep-seated desire to protect their noses and mouths, as this helped them survive predators. We have evolved since then, but we still have that deep-seated desire to protect our mouths and noses.

So, what can be done about the dental phobia? Well, there are certain tried and trusted techniques that can help you cope with your fear. That’s what we’ll talk about in this article…

  1. Involve your dentist: The most important solution is to choose a dentist is who will listen to your fears then talk to them about a strategy to overcome it. They need to know that you suffer from dental phobia so that they can work with you to help you overcome your fear. We, at Bellevue Dental Health, listen to our patients who are dental phobic and ensure that we talk to them in detail about the treatment needed and do not rush them in any way. Visit us here.
  2. Acknowledge that you suffer from dental phobia: This is the first step on the way to overcoming your fear. You need to accept that you are afraid of dentists but acknowledge that there are friendly dentists that can help you!
  3. Seek professional help if you need it: If you have a mild anxiety disorder you can cope with it yourself. However, if you suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), you need professional help. This is especially the case if you are having dental implants, oral surgery or a more extensive dental treatment plan.
  4. Seek distraction when in the dentist’s chair: I have found that when I have patients listen to their favorite music while in the dentist’s chair or watch TV in the office, the distraction makes a huge difference. Try anything that will take your mind off the procedure.
  5. Try breathing and relaxation techniques: Doctors recommend relaxation techniques, such as controlled breathing, which means taking a long breath, holding it, and then releasing it very slowly. This will slow your heartbeat and relax your muscles. You can also try progressive muscle relaxation, which involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups in turn.
  6. Review with your dentist which sedatives are available and appropriate: The vast majority of patients I see with dental phobias do well with some TLC. However, for those that don’t, we can use other methods such as nitrous oxide, oral sedatives, or even intravenous sedation (with a specialist).
  7. Bring a family member or friend with you: Most patients go to dental appointments alone. However, if you bring a family member or friend with you, they can help distract you away from your fears. Knowing that someone is there waiting for you can help you cope with your dental phobia better.
  8. Use noise-cancelling headphones: With these headphones, you can cancel out all the noise in the dentist’s office that can cause anxiety. This can include the sound of a drill or any other instruments. This will help you in relaxing that tad bit more and help ease your fear.
  9. Visit a psychologist: If you still cannot overcome your dental phobia with these simple techniques, you may need to see a psychologist. The latter will provide specialized treatment and intervention to help you cope with your dental phobia.

 

So, now you know how to deal with dental phobia. It’s helpful to remember that you are not the only one suffering from dental phobia. There are many like you out there. So, do recognize that fact and work with your dentist to overcome your fear…Here’s to comfortable and fear-free dental visits!

For more information on dental phobia and how it can be overcome, contact Dr. Libby Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health at 425-641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.com.

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Benefits of an Implant versus a Bridge

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I frequently talk with patients after they have had a tooth removed about their options to replace the gap. They don’t know whether to pursue an implant or a dental bridge. The most common questions they have are “what is the best option and which is the most expensive?” Since these are so commonly asked I thought it would help to answer these questions as well as the benefits of an implant versus a bridge here.

What exactly are Dental Implants?

Definition: A dental implant is a titanium screw that is placed into the jaw bone and allowed to fuse for several months before a dental prosthesis such as a crown, bridge, or denture prosthesis is later placed . The biggest benefits of an implant is that more tooth structure can be preserved with the usage of implants since the adjacent teeth are not drilled.

Advantages Disadvantages
Adjacent teeth are not affected Minor surgery required
Does not decay Minor surgery required
Reliable, aesthetic More expensive
Doesn’t develop gum disease Healing time required before permanent teeth replacement.

 

Implants are a good option if you have lost teeth due to an injury or decay. Your dentist will wait a process called as osseo integration, to form an intimate bond between the titanium used and surrounding bone and this is the reason we have to wait. The success rate of dental implants is very high and they are commonly done in many dental and surgical offices.

 

Now, Dental Bridges-

Definition: These bridges are used to bridge the gap between one or more missing teeth. It gets its support from natural teeth or the implants on either side. It is made of two or more crowns for the teeth on each part of the gap. The anchoring and the false teeth that lie in between are called as abutment teeth and pontics respectively.

Advantages Disadvantages
Functional, predictable Requires enamel removal of adjacent teeth
Less costly Adjacent teeth’ crowns must be redone
Less time for final results Root canal required if nerves are affected
  Potential problem of tooth decay
  Gum disease can develop
  Lesser longevity than dental implants

 

Types of Dental Bridges

 

Traditional bridges

These are made of either ceramic or porcelain material fused to metal. This bridge is created by a crown for the tooth or by implants on either side of the gap, and the pontic (false teeth) lies in between.

Maryland bonded bridges

The false tooth is fused to the metal bands that are bonded to the abutment teeth with a resin which is hidden from view. This resin bonded bridge is made of porcelain fused to metal or plastic teeth supported by a metal framework. The pre-existing teeth on both the sides of the gap are bonded to the metal or porcelain made wings on the bridge. These bridges are often used in the areas of your mouth that are under less stress such as your front teeth.

Cantilever bridges

These are an excellent solution when traditional bridges can’t be used. These bridges are most often used when abutment teeth are located on only one side of the missing tooth or in areas of the mouth that are under a lot of stress. The layout is different even though this bridge uses the same number of dental crowns.

 

Implant vs Bridge

Key Aspects Implant Bridge
How long does it last? 15+ years 5-7 years
Long-term dental health Little to no bone/gum loss Some bone/gum loss
Oral Hygiene maintenance Brush & Floss normally Needs special floss & brush
Appearance matters Best Possible Aesthetics Very Natural in appearance

 

The final verdict is implants have a very high long-term success rate. But unique situations call for a choice between the two (and every patient is unique), for which you would need to consult your dentist. I hope this review has been helpful.

 

For more details on the benefits of implants versus dental bridges, feel free to contact me Dr. Libby Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health at 425-641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.com.

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What to do if you have a dental emergency

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If you’ve suffered from a dental emergency, you know how frightening and debilitating it can be. I have received many calls from concerned patients that are unsure what to do after a trauma. So this is a good time to address how dentists manage a weekend or evening call after a tooth breaks, cracks, becomes loose, or is knocked out completely or even develops into a painful toothache with swelling.

As always, prevention is best. You can prevent some traumatic sports injuries by wearing a mouthguard to stop your teeth from being dislodged or broken. You should also avoid any hard foods, like ice and popcorn, that may result in your teeth cracking or breaking. However, despite these precautions, if you suffer from a dental emergency, you should see your dentist soon and not wait for pain.

There are certain dental emergencies that require you to go to a hospital for treatment. These include: jaw fractures; jaw dislocations; serious lacerations of the soft tissues of the face and mouth, and an abscess or infection that is very swollen or that is impacting breathing or swallowing, especially if you have serious medical conditions.

If you suffer from a dental emergency on a weekend or after your dentist’s office hours, it is OK to contact your dentist at their emergency phone number. It is best to get some advice from an expert and not wait for things to get worse. Sadly, I have seen many patients come to me after “toughing it out” then it is too late to save the tooth or they need a root canal. Your dentist wants to help, so they have an emergency phone number for this very reason.

In this article, I will review some common dental emergencies and what they mean…

  1. Toothache: While this may also be due to “sensitive teeth”, you know it’s an emergency when the pain suddenly increases in magnitude and frequency. This means that you have a potential tooth problem, such as a cavity, crack or abscess. Also, the pain increases after being provoked by touch, temperature or chewing. This is the most common call that dentists receive on the weekend.
  2. Loose teeth: If you were struck by an object, fell, or bit on a hard food you could have injured the tooth and its surrounding ligaments. Even if your teeth are loose but not painful, it could mean a tooth injury or localized infection. If the loose tooth is accompanied by red and bleeding gums, it could indicate advanced gum disease. If left untreated, it could result in heart disease and other medical problems.
  3. Swollen jaw or mouth: Swelling along the jaw and mouth could be caused from a swollen lymph node or tooth infection. If you are in severe pain, it’s a dental crisis and you should consult us immediately. If it’s just tender, you can wait and watch to see if it subsides. Lymph nodes develop swelling and pain due to disease (even a cold or flu) or infection. They should not cause swelling that is noticeable in the mirror, that is an abscess.
  4. Numbness or a total lack of sensation: This could mean that the infection has progressed so far that you have an abscess close to the nerve and you may need a root canal. This could also be caused by other diseases in the jaw. Sudden onset of numbness deserves a call to the dentist.
  5. Metallic or bitter taste in the mouth: This could be due to a broken filling. It is very important to get a broken filling treated promptly, otherwise it could turn into a bigger problem that would need a crown or root canal.
  6. Jaw pain: While this could be due to various reasons, ranging from a broken tooth to arthritis, and from stress to joint pain, it is important to rule out a cracked or infected tooth. You should consult us ASAP, as we can identify the source of the pain and treat it.
  7. Persistent headaches: If your headache coincides with a toothache, they may be related, as the nerves to both regions originate from the same location in your brain. Do not disregard your headaches, particularly chronic headaches without the advice of your doctor and dentist.
  8. A mouth or lip laceration: When you have a deep cut in the mouth or crosses the pink portion of your lip across to the skin, this needs to be evaluated. If this is deep, continues to ooze, and potentially can leave a scar, it should be evaluated. If there is a laceration within the lip/mouth that is not deep and stops bleeding on its own, then just use lots of ice. Lacerations around the mouth are common and tend to swell after 1-2 days so be prepared with ice afterwards. Again, if in doubt you should head to the ER or call me.

So, now you know the different symptoms and conditions of common dental emergencies. While it is easy to ignore the first symptoms or delay treatment, it’s always a good idea to get an expert opinion. Here’s to the efficacious and prompt treatment of your dental emergency.

For more information on how to treat your dental emergency, contact Dr. Libby Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health at 425-641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.com.

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Myths and Facts about Teeth Whitening

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We all love the look of a bright, white smile. In fact, in most cultures through the ages, sparkling white teeth have been a sign of good health and prosperity. The color of your teeth can affect how you feel about yourself and how others perceive you.

However, there are several myths that exist about teeth whitening. Here we want to address some of these myths and present the truth about the whitening process.

Myth #1: Teeth whitening weakens your teeth.

Fact #1: This is untrue. Although tooth whitening can be completed with products for use at home, it is best to consult with a dental professional first. Often teeth have fillings or crowns that alter the effects of bleaching and Dr. Finnessy will determine what is best. Use of a professional product like Zoom whitening is fast, easy, and safe to your teeth and can be completed in one appointment.

Myth #2: If you have sensitive teeth you cannot undergo a teeth whitening procedure, as the sensitivity will get worse.

Fact #2: This is untrue, but again with sensitive teeth, talking with Dr. Finnessy first is even more important. She will assess the level of your sensitivity and then design a teeth whitening treatment that will reduce its impact on your sensitive teeth.

Myth #3:  You can whiten your teeth with baking soda.

Fact #3: This should be avoided as it simply does not work and moreover, will disrupt the ratio of good to bad bacteria in your mouth. Furthermore, the abrasiveness of baking soda is harmful to your teeth.

Myth #4: Teeth whitening is permanent.

Fact #4: Once you see the effect of bleaching the length of time until the staining recurs is dependent on exposure to use of these products. . After an initial treatment, patients can go in for a additional procedures every 6 months, or reuse their bleach trays every 3 months. However, exposure to coffee, smoking, red wine and some medicines may darken teeth again so the best treatment is to reduce exposure to these factors.

Myth #5: You can use whitening toothpaste, which is as effective as teeth whitening by a dentist.

Fact #5: This is simply not the case. In fact, because these toothpastes use abrasive ingredients to scrub off the stains on your teeth, they can wear away the protective layer or “pellicle” that forms over your teeth. This makes your teeth sensitive and more prone to staining in the future.

Myth #6: Teeth whitening works for everyone.

Fact #6: Teeth naturally darken with age. Some teeth become yellow, while others are gray and bleaching may not have the desired outcome. You should consult with Dr. Finnessy before beginning any teeth whitening procedure. She should be able to predict whether bleaching will deliver the results you’re looking for. In most cases, anyone with gum disease, broken or damaged teeth, restorations, exposed roots, or incomplete dental work should not attempt whitening unless these problems are first remedied.

 Myth #7: Zoom whitening can alter the structure of your teeth permanently.

Fact #7: The Zoom in-office teeth whitening procedure uses the Zoom Advanced Power Chairside Lamp. This accelerates the bleaching process by activating the Hydrogen Peroxide whitening. As the Hydrogen Peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin to bleach the stains, leaving the structure of the tooth unchanged. It is safe and quick.

There are many other questions you may have about teeth whitening. Dr. Finnessy performs Zoom whitening and other whitening procedures daily so don’t hesitate to ask her about this today. She is even offers free Zoom teeth whitening for new patients to get them excited for their new smile!

 

For more information about teeth whitening or other dental procedures,

consult Dr. Finessey at (425)641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.com.