Dental Fear – Overcoming Your Fear

dental fear

Dental phobia has stopped many people from visiting the dentist. Many people fear visiting a dentist due to a previous negative dental experience, either their own or something that has happened to a friend or family member. Other people might be afraid of the pain and the equipment placed in the clinic, which makes them fearful. These fears can prove to be dangerous for your oral health.

Tips to overcome the fears:

Here are a few tips that could help an adult overcome their dental phobia:

  • Relax: Make yourself comfortable and relax by taking deep breaths.
  • Visualize: Imagine yourself somewhere pleasant and replace the feeling of fear with some nice thoughts.
  • Be aware: A reason that many patients are fearful is various misconceptions about what happens at the dentist. Dentist and their staff are always happy to answer any questions you have about your procedure before your visit. Don’t hesitate to call them and enquire about what will happen at your visit. Tell them if you are worried.

Dental fear in children

Children especially can have dental phobia and this can come from uncertainty and also fear of pain and equipment used.

Here are some strategies that parents can adopt for helping your child with dental phobia:

  • Calm confidence – show your child that you are not afraid and they will feel comfort in that
  • Introduce your child to the dentist or oral health therapist before your visit so they can have a friendly conversation which may ease the fear
  • Visit the dentist yourself – take your child with you to watch a routine check-up at the dentist for yourself and the child will see that it is nothing much to be afraid of.

Laughing gas

At our practice, we can offer laughing gas during your treatment, which can be of great use for nervous patients, young children or those with special needs. Please call us today to discuss your needs if you think this may be helpful for yourself or a family member.

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The Top 3 Dental Emergencies And How To Handle Them

dental emergencies

Many people know first aid basics and what to do in medical emergencies. But handling dental emergencies is not always common knowledge. Your first experiences with dental emergencies may be when they happen to you or a loved one. Here are the top 3 dental emergencies and how to handle them.

Knocked-out tooth

When a tooth gets knocked out, you need to see a dentist as soon as possible. The tooth has the best chance of being saved if it’s returned to its socket and seen by a dentist within one hour.

Before seeing your dentist, pick up the tooth by the crown, which is the part that’s exposed when in the mouth. Rinse it with water if dirty. Don’t remove any tissue fragments or scrub it. Try to put it back in its place inside the mouth if possible. Don’t force it if there is a lot of bleeding or swelling.

If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, put it in a small container of milk. If you don’t have milk, use a cup of water with a pinch of salt. A cell-growth medium, such as Save-a-Tooth, can also be used. Another alternative if there is no other choice is to hold it in the mouth next to the cheek making sure it doesn’t get swallowed. It just mustn’t dry out.

Lost crown

Call your dentist for an appointment and bring your crown with you. If you can’t see the dentist right away and the exposed tooth is painful, dip a cotton bud in clove oil and apply it to the tooth. Clove oil is available at your chemist’s shop or in the spice aisle of your grocery store.

Abscess

An abscess is an infection that can lead to serious health consequences, so it’s important to see your dentist right away. It usually looks like a swollen pimple. The infection is usually around the tooth root or space between the teeth and gums. Not only can it cause tissue damage, but the infection can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. Until you can see a dentist, rinse your mouth several times a day with a mild warm salt water solution to ease any pain and draw out the pus.

If you are currently experiencing a dental emergency, please contact our reception staff and explain your circumstances. We will usually be able to see you the same day.

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