Don’t let fear put your oral health at risk

Research suggests that 25% of us have a fear of going to the dentist. That fear will undoubtedly mean different things to different people, with some simply preferring not to go for a check up to others having physical symptoms of their fear and anxiety.

While the fear itself it obviously unwelcome and unpleasant, it can have a knock on impact on your oral health. If your nerves and anxiety stops you from either having a regular check up or even seeking treatment when something is wrong, then your teeth, gums and general health can suffer as a result.

It is therefore important that you tackle the source of your fear and do all you can to get it under control.

How to ease your fear

The first thing you ought to do is speak to your dentist. If you don’t have one (because it has been so long since you last visited one) take some time to research dentists in your local area. You will want to find someone who is able to understand, and sympathise with your fear of seeing treatment.

The receptionist should be able to answer any questions you might have, and will arrange for you to come to the surgery so you can have a look around before signing up to be a patient.

When the time comes to make your appointment then it is advisable to go for an early morning one. Even if this does not necessarily suit your normal routine, it is best to get the appointment over and done with as quickly as possible. An afternoon appointment will allow you to dwell on it for longer and will do nothing to calm your nerves.

Remember that the appointment you have made with your new dentist will simply be a check up. This will give you the opportunity to get to know about your dentist, and for them to find out how your general oral health is.

Should any follow up work be required then you can speak about this in detail with your dentist there and then. They can explain the process and you can remind them how nervous you are. Your dentist may even be able to suggest a variety of dental oral sedation techniques that they provide for patients with similar fears as yours.

These can range from the use of gas and air to put people at ease, to an IV sedation drip designed to completely relax you (whilst allowing you to remain conscious).

Dentists are on hand to ensure that your health is well looked after, and that it is as pleasant an experience as possible.  Going to the dentist should not be a scary or disturbing experience – even if treatment is needed.

Caring for a Dental Crown

As well as you might care for your teeth on a daily basis, there may be times when some dental work is necessary.

In the majority of cases, a hole or cavity may be filled by a standard filling but there are other cases where more serious and long term work may be required. Dental bridges and crowns are one alternative to root canal work or the removal of the damaged tooth altogether.

Having a crown should never be undertaken lightly. It is a lengthy procedure and is more expensive than standard work. However, with the right care and attention after the crown is fitted, there is no reason why it shouldn’t stay as a permanent option with little or no more work required.

crown

 

Bridge

#1. Immediately after

The most important thing to note about having a crown is that you’ll require an anaesthetic. Many people find the sensation of a numb mouth to be extremely odd and as a result may pick at their lips, overbite and make their gums sore or even bite their tongue or the inside of their mouth. You should always be careful as your mouth is under anaesthetic that you don’t cause any damage.

As the numb feeling wears off, you may experience some discomfort, especially as you’ve had a considerable amount of work done. Your dentist may prescribe you with some strong painkillers if they feel it necessary. Alternatively an over the counter medication such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or co-codamol may help ease any pain you’re in. It may be that the site of the work is sore for a few days following the procedure, in which case you might require a numbing agent such as one you might use on a mouth ulcer.

You may also notice that your mouth has suddenly become extremely sensitive to hot and cold substances such as tea or cold ice lollies. This is perfectly normal after dental work but should it persist, you may need to ask for a further examination.

#2. Hygiene

The worst thing that can happen to your newly fitted crown is for the teeth around it to become infected and weakened. Therefore if you don’t have a hygiene routine such as flossing and the use of mouthwash, now is the time to begin one in addition to your daily brushing.

#3. Instructions

Depending on the site of your crown, and the amount of work which has been done on the area, your dentist may give you specific care instructions. These could include lists of foods to avoid or some care for you afterwards. This information has been put together specifically for you and it is vital that you follow it to ensure the ongoing health of your crown.