How to Relieve Dental Anxiety

Visiting the dentist is essential to keep your teeth healthy and detect any issues with your oral health. However, for some people visiting the dentist is an anxiety-provoking experience. In some cases, dental anxiety can be severe and become a phobia. The phobia of visiting the dentist is known as dentophobia and is something that affects a great many people. Whether you have a mild fear of visiting the dentist or a severe phobia, it is still essential to take care of your teeth. So, finding ways to reduce your worry and ease your dental anxiety is essential to protect your oral health.

fear of desntist

There are many reasons people develop a fear of visiting the dentist. Perhaps they have had a negative experience in the past, or maybe they are concerned that there is something wrong with their teeth and are worried about having treatment. Whatever your reasons may be for having dental anxiety, there are ways to make visiting the dentist easier on yourself. Take a look at these tips to reduce your dental anxiety:

Find the Right Dentist

If you are not happy with your current dentist, this may be exacerbating your fear. Changing your dentist and visiting a different dental office can be really helpful. Carrying out a little research and selecting a dentist that has a calming, relaxed treatment environment can transform trips to the dentist from something you dread into a positive experience. Choosing a dentist that is highly experienced and is used to treating patients with dental anxiety is also really beneficial and will help you to feel at ease during your visits.

It is helpful to discuss your fear of attending dental exams with your dentist ahead of your visit. Letting your dentist know about your phobia will ensure that they can make your consultation as stress-free as possible. 

Calm Your Mind

Staying calm is the best way to stop your dental anxiety from escalating. Reducing your stress before you even arrive at the dentist’s office will prevent anxiety from building up. Practicing breathing techniques can be helpful when trying to stay calm. It is also wise to do all that you can to avoid the dental visit from becoming stressful by ensuring you leave early enough to get to the dentist’s office and allow enough time to park up without needing to rush. Staying calm and avoiding unnecessary stress is a great way to feel in control of the situation and keep your anxiety levels low.

Bring a Friend

Bringing a friend to your dental check-up is a great way to feel more at ease. Having someone with you provides a reassuring presence and should help you to feel more relaxed about the situation. It is best to check before your visit to ensure that you can bring someone along to your consultation to help you cope with your dental anxiety.

Following these steps should help reduce the worry of visiting the dentist and ensure that your teeth get the care they deserve.

Everything you need to know about Invisalign

Everybody wants a great aligned tooth; however, due to various reasons, not many people can feel really confident when they smile. Surprisingly, it not only damages self-confidence but equally affects an individual socially and psychologically. On the other side, most people don’t want to go for an alignment due to the fear of traditional braces. 

Traditional braces use the wiring system that runs along with your teeth. Likewise, they come with various pain points such as: 

  • Irritation
  • Limitation on your diet
  • Periodic maintenance
  • The overall structure

One significant point is that it can equally be costly, and that not how much does Invisalign cost as compared to traditional wired braces. So, what actually is Invisalign? As you stick with the article, we’ll put a detailed insight on Invisalign.

What Exactly is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a modern solution for aligning your teeth without wireframes. These are actually clear, smooth, and durable plastic custom molded into invisible aligners that snap over the teeth. Likewise, every two weeks, you’ll need to go for an exchange of your Invisalign. New aligners will slowly straighten the position of the teeth giving a perfect posture.

How Does It Work?

While the traditional braces need readjustment every time you visit a dentist, Invisalign is a snug fit, and they gently push the teeth to the right places, further aligning and gradually bringing the desired result. 

Invisalign comes with a lightweight aligner that slips over your teeth. Each aligner forces your teeth in the shape as required, and you will slowly figure out the change in your smile.  

How Can You Get Started?

If you want to get a perfect smile for your teeth, you’ll need to make an appointment with the specialist. Your dentist will make sure that Invisalign is right for you. Invisalign comes with specially developed software with 3D imaging technology too. This allows you to virtually preview how your teeth will align over time. 

After you decide to move ahead, the dentist will attach fixtures to the teeth. A mold is developed in your teeth, and the Invisalign aligners are further fabricated as per the treatment stage.

Is Invisalign Better Than Traditional Braces?

There are several benefits of using Invisalign over traditional braces. Here’s why you need to go for Invisalign 

  • It’s Invisible
  • It’s a brace that’s invisible. There is definitely a great advantage. Your employer, friend, partner, and family won’t be able to notice when you smile in front of them. 

It’s Comfortable

Invisalign can cause mild discomfort at first; however, once you are habituated to it, you will be more comfortable applying an Invisalign than go for traditional braces, which generally cause abrasions.

Removal

It is a fact that you can take Invisalign for meals and dental care. This is one of the biggest reasons why patients prefer Invisalign.

Side effects

There can definitely be mild discomfort when you start wearing Invisalign. They fit over the top of the teeth, and therefore, they may take some time for adjustment. Most of the patients have been found to face the issue of prolonged irritation to the cheeks or the lips. If you face such a thing, don’t hesitate to speak about the issue to your doctor. 

Allergens

In very rare cases, one may face allergic reactions. This reaction is generally mild and irritating gums. However, even after several days, the aligners don’t adjust, and you still experience irritation, its best to consult a dentist and go for treatment accordingly. 

Is it Possible to Switch to Invisalign?

Yes, it is definitely possible to switch from traditional braces to Invisalign. However, you need to consult your dentist before you take that step. In fact, your dentist will determine the best treatment before going through the process. 

You need to know that Invisalign is a separate form of treatment, and the cost of switching over can be sometimes costly depending on how long you’ve been wearing your braces. Remember, Invisalign may not be as efficient as continuing with the existing plan. 

How Much Does Invisalign Dost?

There are several factors to think about when comparing the price between traditional braces and Invisalign aligners. Meanwhile, you can understand the final cost depending upon how severe the teeth alignment issue needs to be dealt with. 

Traditional braces can be quite cheap as compared to Invisalign. Typically wire framed braces cost about $2,500 to $6,000. On the other side, Invisalign can be a little expensive than traditional wire framed braces. The average cost remains between $3,500 to $8,000. 

Conclusion

If you are one of those seeking to correct misaligned or crooked teeth without any hassle, Invisalign is the ideal solution for you. Do you want to feel confident? Are you willing to pose for that perfect smile? Don’t stop yourself when you have got the best treatment for your teeth. You can go for easy fixation of Invisalign from the best dentist at the best price. Happy Smiles!

 

How to Prevent Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a type of inflammation that occurs along the gum line. Also known as gum disease, this condition can be very dangerous and painful. If left untreated, it can result in tooth loss, and a growing amount of medical research is showing that the inflammation and infection of gum disease can lead to heart problems and diabetes. Periodontal disease might sound scary, but you will be happy to learn that it is entirely preventable. Follow these steps to keep your gum line as healthy as possible.

 

Make Sure You Brush Your Teeth the Right Way

Of course the most obvious step to preventing periodontal disease is simply brushing your teeth twice a day. However, this can actually be a little trickier than it sounds. You need to make sure you are brushing your teeth for two minutes, which is a little longer than it might seem, so it is a good idea to set a timer. Many dentists find that their patients are not paying enough attention to the gumline while they brush their teeth. You need to put your brush at a 45 degree angle where the brush is half on the teeth and half on the gums. Then you need to gently move it back and forth to clean the gumline. This is important because most of the bacteria that cause gum disease collect along the gumline.

 

Never Forget the Importance of Flossing

Though regular tooth brushing may be the most important way of preventing gum disease, it cannot thoroughly clean your entire mouth. Flossing is essential because it cleans the spaces in between your teeth that cannot be reached by a brush. It is best to floss first and then brush, so your toothbrush can remove the debris loosened by flossing. You only need to floss once a day to get the gum disease prevention benefits of flossing. Keep in mind that it is not normal for the gums to bleed heavily while flossing. If they do, this is a sign that you are already in the early stages of gum disease.

 

Use the Right Type of Toothbrush

While brushing your teeth, it is absolutely essential that you are using the correct type of toothbrush. A brush with stiff bristles can cause degredations and microscopic scratching along the gums that further advances disease. You need a very soft brush to clean the gums without causing your gum line to recede. It is important to use a toothbrush that has time to dry in between uses because a constantly damp toothbrush can harbor bacteria that worsen gum disease. If you are brushing your teeth more than twice a day, like many dentists recommend, you may need to buy two toothbrushes and alternate between them.

 

Eat a Mouth Healthy Diet

Gum disease is so dangerous because the infection easily reaches your jawbone and causes the bones in the jaw to decay until they cannot properly hold onto the teeth. You can help to avoid this dangerous part of gum disease by making sure that your jawbone is as healthy as possible. To do this, eat a diet high in calcium and vitamin D. Calcium, which helps to build more bone cells, can be found in dairy, nuts, seeds, and leafy green vegetables. Vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium properly, and you can find it in eggs, fatty fish, and other animal proteins. Vitamin D is also helpful because it has anti-inflammatory effects. A study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that subjects with high vitamin D levels were 20 percent less likely to have gingivitis. Another helpful nutrient for preventing periodontal disease is vitamin C which helps to reduce inflammation and keep your gums from bleeding while you floss.

 

Find a Proper Mouthwash

You can further ensure that your mouth is clear of the plaque and buildup that cause gum disease by swishing a mouthwash around your mouth after you brush your teeth. This helps to kill any bacteria that you miss, and it can dislodge bits of food that are still stuck in the mouth after brushing and flossing. Mouthwashes that contain either domiphen bromide or cetylpyridinium chloride are most likely to reduce dental plaque.

 

Realize the Dangers of Tobacco

One of the biggest risk factors for gum disease is using tobacco in any form. Smokers have twice as high a risk of periodontal disease as nonsmokers. Smoking tobacco is so dangerous because it impairs circulation throughout the body. Without the ability to get nutrient and oxygen rich blood cells, the gums struggle to fight off infections. Once your body’s weakened immune system is defeated, bacteria that cause gum disease can flourish in the mouth. Because people who use tobacco heal so much slower, normal treatments for periodontal disease may not be as effective. It can be hard for some people to stop smoking, but many people find that modern e-cigarettes are helpful because they can slowly reduce nicotine levels over time.

 

These methods can all help to prevent gum disease from happening in the first place, but it is still important to seek medical treatment if you are dealing with periodontal issues. If you want a happier and pain free smile, look no further than King of Prussia Periodontics and Dental Implants. Our talented team of doctors is led by Dr. Melissa Cruz, a leading expert in periodontal surgery and dental implant therapy. Call us today at 610-783-7800 or reach us at www.kopperio.com to learn more about how we can help you achieve your best possible smile.

Dental Amalgam: Is it a Health risk?

An amalgam in dental terms is a silver filling. It is actually not silver but a mixture of silver, mercury, tin and copper. Approximately 50% of this compound is mercury; this is the substance which binds the others together and creates a strong filling.

The Problem With Mercury

Unfortunately, research shows that mercury can be very dangerous for your health. Although it is a naturally occurring element it can have a toxic effect on your nervous system, lings, kidneys and even your eyes.

Your first thought will be to check your local amalgam removal service. But before you rush to your dentist it is important to understand the true effects of mercury:

The Form Of Mercury

Mercury can exist in a variety of different forms; the seriousness of your exposure will depend upon the type of mercury you are consuming. There are 3 main forms of mercury:

 

  • Elemental Mercury

 

In its standard form mercury is actually a liquid. It has been used in this form in a variety of items, including fluorescent lamps and thermometers.

 

  • Inorganic Mercury Salts

 

Mercury can be dissolved in water which creates a salt, but it is still filled with mercury. If these are swallowed they can cause intestinal distress and kidney damage.

 

  • Organic Mercury

 

This is the worst form of mercury, you can actually experience mercury poisoning just by having a few drops land on your skin. The effect will be poor balance and your speech will suffer. IT can kill you in just a few months!

Why Have Amalgam Fillings?

If mercury is such a dangerous substance then you must question why it is included in fillings. The answer lies in toxicity levels and the way this mineral changes when mixed with others.

In effect, because the mercury has been mixed with other minerals to create your filling it has been rendered harmless.

A little mercury will be released under the daily pressure of chewing your food and grinding your teeth. This amount has been shown to be less than you would be exposed to in the normal course of a day through the air, food and even water.

Experience

It is also worth noting that dental amalgam has been used for in excess of 150 years and it is considered the safest, most cost effective and durable material to work with.

In addition, it is much easier to work with that other filling materials; it can be easily added to your tooth cavity and shaped to ensure a perfect repair in minutes.

The alternatives

There are alternatives. These include gold or porcelain. However, these materials are much more expensive and difficult to deal with. They will also take longer to make and require at least two visits to your dentists.

The other option is a composite filling can be used to match the appearance of your teeth. This is becoming the most popular solution although it is not as strong as an amalgam. However, it does not carry the associated health risks and is a good reason to have your amalgam fillings replaced.