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How To Ease Your Fear of Dental Appointments? Tips And Tricks

Dental anxiety is a common condition that affects people of all ages. Unfortunately, this condition often causes people to delay or skip dental appointments, which can result in serious dental health issues. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help ease your fear of dental appointments. Here are they: * First, you’ll want to make sure you choose the right dental practice and team for you. By choosing the right practice, you’ll feel comfortable in their office with friendly staff who are familiar with you. * Second, make sure to have open communication with your dental office staff so they know exactly what you’re afraid of and are able to work with you toward a solution. If you experience anxiety around dental procedures, discussing your fears with your dentist can help set you at ease. Your dentist will be able to tell you exactly what to expect from your appointment and can also prescribe medication to help you relax during treatment. * Third, ask your dentist about sedation dentistry options in advance so that you know what your options are and what’s best for you. Ask if nitrous oxide is available. A nitrous oxide is a common form of conscious sedation in which you’ll inhale a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide through a mask that fits over your nose. The gas will help you relax and feel calm throughout your entire procedure. Most patients get a brief moment of euphoria from the gas before it wears off. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off almost immediately after treatment is complete. You can also consider taking anti-anxiety medication before your visit. If your fear is severe enough to interfere with your dental procedures, you may be a good candidate for oral sedatives. These medications are stronger than over-the-counter options but work quickly to numb the nerves in your gums so you won’t feel anything during your procedure. Oral sedatives allow some people to be relaxed enough to receive treatment without IV or other forms of conscious sedation. * Fourth, try to arrive at your appointment early, so you’re not rushed or stressed on your way there. Schedule your procedure early in the morning. Many dentists offer morning appointments for people who are afraid of needles or other invasive procedures. Scheduling an appointment when your body and mind are fresh can help you feel more alert and relaxed during your appointment. You’ll also spend less time in the waiting room because more people tend to schedule their appointments later in the day. * Bring someone you trust with you. Having a friend or family member there to spend time with you during your procedure is comforting for many people. This person can also help distract you during the procedure. Lastly, bring a headset and iPad or your favorite magazine with you to the appointment so you can distract yourself. Arizona Dental Heights, situated in Mesa, AZ, is equipped with modern technologies and expert dentists who provide the best services to patients. Call (480) 525-6000 and schedule an appointment with the dentist to learn more about the dental services we offer. 

Six Most Damaging Habits to Teeth

Nail biting, smoking, brushing teeth aggressively, teeth grinding, using teeth as tools, and not visiting a dentist regularly are some of the common bad habits which can seriously damage our oral health. Here is how! * Nail Biting Nail biting can be damaging to the teeth and oral health in several ways. When an individual bites their nails, they are putting their teeth under extreme pressure. This pressure can cause teeth to crack, chip, break or wear down over time. Nail biting can also lead to jaw pain and jaw clenching, which can result in temporomandibular joint disorder TMD. So, if you have the habit of nail-biting, quit it at the earliest.  * Smoking Did you know that smoking can negatively affect your oral health? The nicotine in cigarettes also stains your teeth and causes gum disease. Tobacco use can also lead to oral cancers. If you’ve tried quitting but were unable to remain tobacco-free, try scheduling regular dental visits and discussing options for smoking cessation with your dentist. He or she may know of medications or treatments that could help you kick the habit. There are also several approved over-the-counter nicotine gum and patches available. Some work better than others, so it’s important to do your research before investing in a product. By becoming tobacco-free, you’ll also be doing what’s best for your overall health. In just one year, your risk for heart attack decreases by 1/3 just by quitting smoking! Your risk of stroke reduces in half after five years of being smoke-free as well. * Aggressive Brushing Brushing your teeth isn’t bad – it’s how you use your toothbrush that can hurt your oral health. Brushing improperly can leave you with sensitive gums, tooth enamel damage, and receding gums. Here are some tips on the proper way to brush your teeth. 1. Don’t brush too hard. Your toothbrush bristles should be soft. If you rub them over your gums or press them against your teeth, you run the risk of damaging the gum tissue. You also may wear down your enamel and irritate the nerves inside your teeth. 2. Don’t brush too frequently. Twice a day is enough for healthy teeth and gums. Excessive brushing could wear down the gums and increase the risk of gum recession. The enamel can also become damaged if the teeth are brushed too often. 3. Don’t forget to floss. Flossing is an important part of any oral hygiene routine. It removes food particles from between the teeth and along the gum line, where bacteria can grow and cause cavities. Proper flossing can also help protect teeth from future damage by correcting bad habits like clenching and grinding or using the teeth to open packages. * Teeth Grinding Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is one of the most common bad habits that can cause damage to our oral health. The habit of teeth grinding or clenching can happen when you’re sleeping at night or even during the day. Many people grind their teeth occasionally and may not even notice it. However, when teeth grinding becomes a habit, it can cause severe damage not only to your teeth but to your gums as well. In worst-case scenarios, untreated teeth grinding can lead to broken or cracked teeth and tooth loss. It’s also associated with the temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which can cause jaw pain and even headaches. If you grind your teeth at night, visit our dentist for a mouthguard.  * Using Teeth As Tools Biting pens or pencils, crunching ice, using teeth to open bottles and packages, etc., are classic examples of when people use their teeth as tools. These behaviors can damage the teeth severely. For example, when chewing pen caps, people apply a tremendous amount of pressure on their teeth, which can wear down enamel and cause chips or cracks. Similarly, people who chew on ice can crack a tooth, chip off a piece of tooth, or even fracture their jaw if they bite down with enough force.  * Not Visiting The Dentist Regularly Not visiting the dentist at least once a year can lead to several complications. Regular dental visits help to diagnose and treat conditions early before they progress to more serious stages. For example, cavities won’t go away on their own, and in advanced cases, they can be painful and difficult to treat. Early detection of oral conditions will allow dentists to develop a treatment plan that will prevent the need for more costly and complicated procedures later on. Besides that, regular dental care can help to prevent common oral health issues like tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. The ADA recommends that you schedule a checkup with your dentist every six months. These checkups include a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues. Your dentist will also clean each tooth to eliminate any plaque buildup and check for any sensitivity issues. During the appointment, your doctor will ask questions about your medical history to identify any risk factors or diseases that may have an effect on your oral health. Arizona Dental Heights, situated in Mesa, AZ, is equipped with modern technologies and expert dentists who provide the best services to patients. Call (480) 525-6000 and schedule an appointment with the dentist to learn more about the dental services we offer. 

Most Common Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency is any situation that requires immediate treatment in order to save a tooth or protect your oral health. Typically, dental treatments are planned and scheduled in advance. However, there may be times when emergency dental care is needed. Several situations may arise where patients need immediate help. If any of these occur and you have an emergency dentist in Mesa, AZ [https://www.azdentalheights.com/], on hand, you can get the help you need right away. Here are the common dental emergency situations that arise: TOOTHACHE A toothache can be a sign of a serious condition, such as tooth decay or infection, that needs to be addressed immediately. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. When you don’t address the issue right away, you run the risk of the infection spreading and causing more serious issues. Your emergency dentist in Plano can treat the issue and relieve your pain so you can get back to living your life. DENTAL ABSCESS A dental abscess is an infection that occurs inside the tooth or in the gums and jaw. Abscesses can be caused by severe decay, untreated cavities, cracked teeth, gum disease, trauma to the face, and even certain medications. Once an abscess forms, the affected tissue must be removed to halt the infection and allow for proper healing to occur. Without treatment, the abscess can spread and lead to more serious problems. In some cases, abscesses are mistaken for canker sores, which are typically not as painful as dental abscesses tend to be. Sometimes, a dentist will drain an abscess before the tooth can be saved with root canal therapy. BROKEN TOOTH OR FILLING A broken tooth should always be treated promptly and, if possible, during the regular appointment at the dental office. If the break is ignored, it can lead to an infection of the pulp tissue, which can lead to the need for root canal treatment. If you experience a broken tooth, you should rinse the mouth out with warm water to clean the area and prevent infection. Then contact your dentist immediately to get a proper diagnosis and the best treatment for your tooth. KNOCKED-OUT TOOTH When you knock out a tooth, it’s important to act quickly! First, find the tooth and rinse off the dirt with water. Try to put the tooth back in its socket and hold it in place with gauze or a wet tea bag. If you can’t put the lost tooth back into place, keep it moist in a glass of milk or water until you reach the dentist’s office. It’s important to get to your dentist quickly after the incident occurs. The sooner your tooth is replaced, the better chance you have of keeping it. In any one or more of these situations, it’s crucial that you see a dentist as soon as possible so that the issue can be addressed before it becomes worse. Delaying dental care will only make the condition worse and more expensive to fix in the long run. Arizona Dental Heights, situated in Mesa, AZ, is equipped with modern technologies and expert dentists who provide the best services to patients. Call (480) 525-6000 and schedule an appointment with the dentist to learn more about the dental services we offer. 

How Can You Maintain Good Oral Health At Home?

Oral health means having healthy teeth, gums, and tongues. It also includes preventing tooth decay and cavities. Good oral health is just as important to overall health as good nutrition and regular exercise. The American Dental Association (ADA) states that managing your oral and dental health is about more than your appearance. The ADA says that oral health and hygiene affect every aspect of your daily life. A healthy mouth allows you to speak, eat, smile, and laugh with confidence. By maintaining good oral hygiene, you can prevent tooth decay and gum disease, which can lead to bad breath, tooth discoloration, and tooth loss. As part of your routine, introduce the following: BRUSHING AND FLOSSING Brushing and flossing every day are crucial to good oral health. Brushing your teeth removes food and plaque that get stuck between your teeth. It is important to choose a soft-bristled toothbrush and to brush gently. Brushing too hard can damage the gums. Flossing removes plaque and food that get stuck between your teeth and along the gum line. It is important to floss daily and to floss gently. Avoid brushing and flossing aggressively. This can cause gums to bleed. Bleeding gums are an early sign of gum disease, so be sure to check with your dentist in Mesa, AZ [https://www.azdentalheights.com/] if your gums are bleeding. USE MOUTHWASH To keep your teeth healthy, you must brush and floss them every day. Your toothbrush should be replaced every three months, and your floss should be replaced as you use it. For optimal oral health, we recommend the use of an antimicrobial mouth rinse. REGULAR DENTAL VISITS Maintaining good oral health means scheduling regular dental exams and professional cleanings. During the dental exam, your dentist will check for any cavities or signs of gum disease. If you do have a cavity, the dentist will remove the decay and fill the tooth. Even if you brush and floss regularly, tartar and plaque can still build up on your teeth. During a professional cleaning, the dental hygienist will remove the tartar and plaque that you can’t access at home. QUIT TOBACCO Tobacco is one of the most harmful substances you can consume. It increases your chances of developing oral cancer, gum disease, and tooth decay. Quitting smoking is essential for keeping your mouth healthy. Arizona Dental Heights, situated in Mesa, AZ, is equipped with modern technologies and expert dentists who provide the best services to patients. Call (480) 525-6000 and schedule an appointment with the dentist to learn more about the dental services we offer.