Dental Phobia

What is dental phobia?
Phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. This is not an unusual situation - many suffer from various types of phobia. Dental phobia means the sufferer will try their best to avoid or act irrationally on anything that requires probing, scraping, filling, or worse, pulling their teeth out. Dental phobia is a person's fear to receive dental care from a dentist. They would rather endure the pain rather than see a dental specialist to reduce, or even cure, the pain.

Is it common?
Dental phobia is famous around the globe. It is roughly estimated that more than 75% of adults in the United States experience dental phobia, ranging from mild to severe.

What is the worst thing you can do?
If you avoid regular dental check-ups, you can have major health problems in your future. Dental problems (decayed/stained teeth, bleeding gums, bad breath, etc.) can contribute to your cardiovascular and mental health.

Why does it occur?
Dental phobia occurs mainly because of the terrifying instruments being used during the check-up. They are sharp and made out of metal. As humans, we have a natural reaction towards sharp things being poked into our mouth. We usually would imagine the sharp tool would hurt us eventually. Mass media also plays a role contributing to this problem. Portrayals of dentists being harsh towards their patients definitely do not help sufferers, as their fear level may increase.

Dental phobia can be divided into 2 groups:

1. Direct experience
The phobia started since they entered the door to the clinic. The experience they get from the clinic's environment could determine their experience inside the dentist's room. Usually, the first visit to the clinic contributes to the phobia, as the sufferers visit when their dental problem has already become severe. For example, a patient with a toothache comes to the dentist when the problem is so severe, that is requires the dentist to pull the tooth out. Thus, from the pain experienced or the treatment received, the patient develops a phobia so strong that he does not revisit a dentist ever again.

2. Indirect experience
It comes from truly horrifying tales related by those who have already been to a dentist and suffered from it. For example, those who when to the dentist for a scaling treatment would have their gums bleeding accidentally. Thus, they would go around exaggerating about this and eventually contributes to someone else's fear. The mass media, such as movies, also contributes to a person's indirect fear of the dentist.

Stepping into this environment against may evoke your dental fear. It is not unusual to see people with pale faces or children revolting in tears waiting anxiously for their turn in the dental chair.

How does a dentist handle a dental-phobic?
Dentists try to gain the patient's trust to treat them by making them feel comfortable and at ease. Breaking the boundary between the patient-dentist relationship and becoming the your friend is a great way that dentists try to make you feel less anxious. It is vital for your dentist to understand your fear.

Your dentist's relationship with you should be based on trust. Knowing that your dentist is giving you the best treatment will help to reassure your nerves. Your dentist will keep reassuring you again and again to make sure that everything is going okay.

What can you do to lessen your anxiety about going to the dentist?
1. Do some research
When looking for a new dentist, take the time to find the right one for you. Visit several dental practices, speak to the staff, and you will know which one makes you feel most at east.

2. Find a friend
Your dentist is not just someone who looks after your teeth. They should also be your friend. Make sure that you feel comfortable around them. Having an informal chat about where you are going on your holiday will make you feel more relaxed.

3. Seek recommendations
When on the hunt for a new dentist, always ask friends, family and work colleagues about a dentist they visit and can recommend. Word of mouth is a great way to find a reliable and experienced dentist.

4. Take a buddy
Take a friend with you to your appointment. The dentist should not mind if they accompany you throughout the check-up or treatment. Knowing that they are there to support you will help you feel more at ease.

5. Signs
You and your dentist should agree on a dentist to signal that you need a break and want them to stop when you are having your treatment. It can be as simple as pointing your finger. This will help you feel more in control.

6. Music
Take a personal stereo or ask the dentist if you can listen to music from your phone during your visit to help you relax. If you are nervous about the sounds of all the instruments in the dental office, check out this website that tells you what sounds each instrument makes! 

7. Communicate
When you visit the dentist, be sure to tell them that you are anxious about your appointment. A good dentist will do everything they can to help you feel at ease and relaxed.

8. Visualize
When in the dentist's chair, try to relax by closing your eyes and imagining yourself in a relaxing environment. This could be at home on the sofa or at your favorite holiday location. This can help remove you from the environment of the dentist, ultimately removing the negative feelings you are experiencing, and helping you feel more at ease.

9. Take a break
When at the dentist, discuss how long treatment will take and ask if it would be possible to have a break half-way through. This will break up the time of the treatment, making it more manageable for you.

10. Build Your Confidence
If you do not feel confident enough to have a full dental treatment, visit your dentist for a general check-up to start off with. This will be short and straight forward and should help you feel more at ease about visiting the dentist again. For your next visit, book a hygienist treatment, which is a straight forward cleaning. Taking baby steps will build your confidence about visiting the dentist.

Why should you try your best to overcome dental anxiety?
Some people are unwilling to pay the price for a beautiful smile because of this problem they have. But you would not want to forgo the excitement of having great food with friends, right? Take baby steps towards the dental clinic and other will help you overcome your phobia. Only you can start making the change for yourself!

http://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/2014061119304/howo-to-overcome-your-fear-phobia-of-the-dentist/

http://www.malaysiandigest.com/frontpage/282-main-tile/507417-the-price-to-smile-beautifully.html

Black's Classification of Cavities

Class 1
Decay is diagnosed in the pits and fissures of the occlusal surfaces of molars and premolars, the buccal or lingual pits of molars, and the lingual pits of maxillary incisors. 
Restore: Amalgam or composite resins are the restorative material of choice. Selection will depend primarily on where the lesion is and what type of strength is required for the material.

Class 2
Decay is diagnosed in the proximal (mesial or distal) surfaces of premolars and molars. Because this surface area is more difficult to detect visually, a radiograph is also used to locate decay. The design of the preparation/restoration will include the occlusal surface and will involve proximal surfaces. 
Restore: The type of dental material used to restore this classification is silver amalgam (chosen for its strength) or newer composite (tooth-colored) resins designed for posterior teeth (chosen for esthetic appeal). If the tooth has extensive decay, the dentist may choose to restore the tooth with a gold or porcelain inlay, onlay, or crown.

Class 3
Decay is diagnosed in the proximal (mesial or distal) surfaces of incisors and canines. This decay is similar to class 2, except that it involves anterior teeth. It is easier for the dentist to access these surfaces with less tooth structure affected. 
Restore: The type of dental material used to restore this classification consists of composite (tooth-colored) resins (for esthetic appearance).




 
Class 4
Decay is diagnosed in the proximal (mesial or distal) surfaces of incisors and canines. The difference between class 4 and class 3 decay is that class 4 involves the incisal edge or angle of the tooth. 
Restore: The type of dental material used to restore this classification is composite (tooth-colored) resins (for esthetic appearance). If the tooth has extensive decay, the dentist may choose to restore the tooth with a porcelain crown.


Class 5
Decay is diagnosed in the gingival third of the facial or lingual surface of any tooth. This is also referred to as smooth-surface decay. 
Restore: The type of dental material used to restore this classification depends on which teeth are affected. If decay occurs in posterior teeth, the dentist may choose silver amalgam; if anterior teeth are involved, composite (tooth-colored) resin will most likely be used.

Class 6
Decay is diagnosed on the incisal edges of the anterior teeth and the cusp tips of the posterior teeth. Class 4 decay is caused by abrasion (wear) and defects. 
Restore: The dental material is chosen on the basis of which teeth are involved.

Why Do We Have Morning Breath?

Why Do We Have Morning Breath?

Morning breath, halitosis, can be unpleasant and it probably isn't the way you want to greet your partner, or your day. But, everyone has morning breath to some degree. 

 

Why? When you sleep, your mouth dries out because your normal flow of saliva decreases. When your mouth dries out, odor-producing bacteria proliferate. 

If you snore or breathe through your mouth at night, you are more likely to have bad breath in the morning that those who don't. In both situations, your mouth is even more prone to drying out, setting the stage for bacteria to grow.

 

Other causes of bad breath:

 

- Medications: Some medications can cause your mouth to become dry overnight, worsening your halitosis. This is why older people, who are often on medications, frequently find their breath more unpleasant in the morning.

- Smoking: Smoking not only causes your saliva - your natural mouth rinse - to dry up, but also can raise the temperature of your mouth, making it a breeding ground for that dreaded bacteria that causes bad breath. 

- Allergies: The mucus that drips down the back of your throat becomes a food source for bacteria. Should your postnasal drop become infected, it can put more odor-causing bacteria in your mouth.

 

How to treat bad breath:

- Brush: Odor-causing bacteria accumulate between your teeth and on your tongue, so practicing good dental hygiene will do a lot to improve your morning breath. 

• When you brush your teeth, brush your tongue too. Another favorite repository for odor-causing bacteria is the back of your tongue. You will notice your breath is fresher in the morning if you brush your tongue before you go to bed.

• Brush for at least two minutes - not the 35 or 40 seconds that many people do.

• After you brush, go directly to bed. Do not eat or drink anything, so that you are not leaving  food in your mouth. 

- Floss: Click here for our blog post on how to properly floss your teeth. Brushing alone will not remove the food particles that can become stuck between your teeth and gums. It is just as important as brushing. Click here for our blog post on common flossing mistakes.

- Rinse: Mouthwash will get rid of the odor, but only temporarily. When you are buying mouthwash to kill the germs that can cause bad breath, look for one that has a seal of approval from the American Dental Association.

• A quick swish will not do it. If the direction say rinse for 30 seconds, then you must. The mouth rinse has to be in there long enough to kill the bacteria. You are not going to get the full effect if you rinse for 5 to 10 seconds 

http://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health/why-do-we-have-morning-breath.aspx

At-Home Tooth Whitening Options

Do you have yellow teeth? Do you want your teeth to be whiter? Are you overwhelmed with the selection of whitening products out there?

Selecting one of the many different tooth-whitening systems available today can be very confusing. There are whitening toothpastes, whitening gums, nonprescription whitening kits to be used with trays, whitening strips, whitening gels, professional mouthguard-like tray whitening systems, and professional in-office whitening procedures (with and without light activation). To simplify all of these, we have narrowed the field to three very different and practical options - Crest Professional Strength Whitestrips, custom-made tray home whitening systems, and over-the-counter gels. All have advantages and disadvantages and all have the potential to whiten your teeth. The following discussion should give you a fair overview of each type and help you to make an informed decision about which system is right for you.

At-Home Mouthguard Tray 
At-home mouthguard tray tooth whitening has been around the longest. It is most appropriate for those 18 years of age and older. Impressions are made of your teeth (both upper and lower), stone models are made from the impressions, and a mouthguard is molded that exactly matches your teeth. The whitening solution is supplied to you in syringe containers. You will dispense a slight amount into the mouthguard tray at each tooth and place the tray over your teeth. Only a small amount of whitening material is needed. The trays are worn for about one hour daily. A color change can be noticed in 3 to 5 days, but the complete process can take 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the original color of your teeth.

The teeth will stay white for 12 to 24 months and you can keep the new color longer by "touching up" with a one- or two-day application of bleach once a year. The ideal time to touch up is after having your teeth professionally cleaned. We have touch-up tubes of bleach available for purchasing. This process does not harm the teeth in any way. The disadvantage to this technique is cost. The total cost of the impressions, models, custom mouthguard trays, and the initial supply of bleach is $100-$400.

Crest Professional Strength Whitestrips
Crest Professional Strength Whitestrips are a new whitening option. Clear strips containing the whitening solution are placed over the upper and lower teeth twice a day for 30 minutes a day, for 21 days. The professional kit also contains a toothbrush and whitening toothpaste. The professional version is 42% more effective than the over-the-counter Whitestrips. The Crest Professional Strength Whitestrips is quite affordable at $50 a kit. The disadvantages are that he strips are not custom-made so that they do not cover as many teeth or fit as well or as comfortably as the tray system. The strips work best for teeth in good straight alignment. They may need to be rewhitened at 6-month intervals according to the manufacturer; we have found the whitening to last satisfactorily for a longer time.

Over-The-Counter Gels
New over-the-counter gels are available that can be painted onto the tooth surface. Colgate Simply White, Crest Night Effects, and Go Smile ampules are a few of the products currently available. These clear gel formulas are applied to the teeth twice a day for 2 weeks. The gels will effectively work to whiten your teeth until it is washed away by your saliva. Because there is no way to determine and compare the salivary flow of patients, we cannot determine how effective the brush-on gel will work for you. This method is ideal for teenagers to young adults who may desire only a slight change in color. These over-the-counter gels are the least costly of all the methods but will also produce the least dramatic whitening results.

Any of the described systems can work. The degree of color change will depend on the original color of your teeth and how faithful you are to adhering to the treatment process. The custom trays are the most reliable of the methods, with the color change lasting a long time, but they are the most expensive of the three methods. The Crest Professional Strength Whitestrips can also produce results, but the color change may not last as long and may require more frequent touch ups, but they are inexpensive. 

Should You Get A Tongue-Scraper?

A tongue scraper is an oral hygiene product that removes bacteria, food debris, fungi, toxins, and dead cells from the surface of the tongue.

When we sleep, our digestive system remains awake, removing toxins from our body by depositing them onto the surface of our tongue. If we do not scrape away these toxins, they get reabsorbed by the body and can lead to respiratory difficulties, digestive problems, and a compromised immune system.

Dental research has concluded that a tongue scraper is more effective at removing toxins and bacteria from the tongue than a toothbrush. Although brushing and flossing will loosen and move debris around, they do not actually remove the bacteria. Almost half of our oral bacteria live on and in the deep crevices of our tongue; the scraping action of a tongue scraper collects these toxic tongue coatings (which can range in color from clear, white, yellow, or green) and removes them from the body. However, still remain strict on continuing with the rest of your dental care routine, The bacteria that causes tartar to build up still remains your teeth and under your gums. Left untreated, this can lead to gum disease, receding gums, and loose teeth that can ultimately fall out.

What is a tongue scraper?
It is a long, thin, flat piece of metal that is bent in a "U" shape 

How to use a tongue-scraper
You should use a tongue-scraper on a regular basis, in the morning and on an empty stomach. 
1. Stand in front of a mirror
2. Hold the two ends of the scraper in both hands
3. Stick out your tongue
4. Place the scraper as far back on your tongue as possible
5. With firm but gentle pressure, scrape the surface of your tongue in one long stroke
6. Rinse the scraper and repeat until your tongue feels clean and is free of coating (usually 5 to 10 times) 

Why do I need one?
1. Lessen halitosis
Bad breath can have a negative impact on a person's life, relationships, and self-esteem. Given that most bad breath comes from the bacteria at the back of the tongue (an area that's difficult to reach with a toothbrush), clinical studies have shown that tongue scraping significantly reduces and removes oral bacteria from the crevices of all areas on the tongue.

2. Experience the flavors of your food
Proper digestion begins with taste and salivation. If you do not take steps to remove toxic mucus on the tongue, your taste buds can become blocked. This may lead to false cravings or an inability to recognize the taste of food. Removing build-up from the surface of your tongue will open up its pores and better expose your taste buds, allow for greater enjoyment of food flavors, and help your body digest and assimilate food.

3. Boost your immunity
The tongue is part of the first line of defense in your immune system. Scraping your tongue prevents toxins from being reabsorbed into your body and boosts overall immune function.

4. Improve your dental health
This oral hygiene product promotes general tooth and gum health and removes bacteria and toxins responsible for periodontal problems, plaque build-up, tooth decay, loss of teeth, gum infections, and gum recession.

5. Improve your digestive health
Given that digestion begins with taste, it is important to remove any toxins that may obstruct optimal functioning. Scraping also activates saliva production and promotes agni (the body's digestive fire) to help with digestion throughout the day.

Where do I buy one?
Tongue scrapers and inexpensive and can be found at most health food stores as well as online. Choose a stainless steel scraper because they are easier to clean. Another dental tip, the side of a metal spoon can also be effective.

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12028/5-reasons-why-everyone-needs-a-tongue-scraper.html

Dental Insurance Coverage

Your employer, management, or union has purchased dental insurance coverage from a selection of plans offered by an insurance company or broker. Each insurance company offers many different plans. 

What is covered?
The type of dental benefits that are covered relate to the dollar amount spent on the benefit package. Generally, the more money spent on a plan, the more services are covered. Most dental insurance covers only 50% to 80% of the cost of the treatment. Major services (crowns, bridges, etc.), which are the most expensive dental procedures, are usually only covered at a 50% rate. For example, some dental benefit packages will not cover the fees for porcelain (tooth-colored material) crowns on teeth that are not visible when you talk or smile; they will only pay for a metal crown. Under this type of plan, you must pay the full amount of the cost of the porcelain on those teeth. According to insurance companies, fillings in front teeth have both functional use and cosmetic components. They will pay for the functional part but not the full amount for the cosmetic restorations.

Who is responsible for payment?
The fees charged for dental treatment reflect the many different parts of a particular procedure or procedures. Treatment for your particular needs may or may not fall within the limits set by your particular dental plan. Many dental procedures may not even be listed in your insurance's procedure/payment schedule. If your dental procedure falls into this category, you may not receive any insurance reimbursement for that procedure. You are ultimately responsible for paying the entire fee for an accepted dental treatment, regardless of your insurance coverage.

Choosing Treatment Options
Our goal through your examination, diagnosis, and treatment phases is to provide you with the best possible oral health. We do not allow the insurance company to tell us how to treat you. We recommend to you those treatments that we believe you need and we will discuss alternative plans with you. Whether or not the recommended treatment is a covered dental benefit is between you and your employer and the insurance carrier.

Submitting the Claim
We are happy to help you receive the maximum benefits you are allowed from your dental coverage. In order for us to submit your insurance claim, we will need an insurance form with your portion completed and signed. We deal with dental insurance companies on a daily basis; therefore, we have a great deal of experience submitting these claims to insurance carriers. We take great care in submitting claims properly the first time. 

There are three things we cannot do: 
1) Alter the date of treatment; 
2) Submit a claim for more than the actual fee; 
3) Submit a claim for procedures that have not been performed. 

Because it is not at all uncommon for the insurance carriers to make a mistake, we would prefer to submit the claims ourselves, and then verify proper payment. Insurance carriers may respond to requests for payment of preauthorized treatment in as little as a week or as long as 45 days. Please be patient; we have no control over the post office or the speed with which the insurance carrier processes your claim.

Our office cannot negotiate with your insurance company for reimbursement of dental expenses. Only the purchaser of the plan (your employer) can negotiate better coverage. If you would like better or more coverage, you will need to talk with your plan purchaser about the features you want in your dental plan.

If you have any questions about your dental insurance coverage, please feel free to ask us. 

Remineralization Device Could Soon Come to Market

A new device being developed by dental researchers at King's College London could soon bring to market an electronic tool that would encourage teeth to remineralize. 

Demineralization and remineralization have a crucial impact on the hardness and strength of tooth enamel.

What is demineralization?
Poor hygiene, bad brushing techniques, as well an inappropriate diet can lead to tooth decay due to changed acid levels in the oral cavity. Demineralization occurs at a low pH (acidic) when the oral environment is UNDERsaturated with mineral ions. Acids demineralize the tooth structure by dissolving calcium, phosphorus, etc. The enamel is dissolved by these organic acids (lactic and acetic acids) that are produced by the cellular action of plaque bacteria in the presence of dietary carbohydrates. This enamel erosion leads to dental cavities. 

Demineralized surfaces are porous and adherent, thus becoming favorable to bacteria growth that causes dental cavities and decay. In other words, enamel demineralization equals the beginning of cavity formation. Often, as a result of smoothness reduction, the tooth surface may suffer from superficial pigmentation, which can be visually unpleasant and impossible to remove with the toothbrush. 

Demineralized teeth are very sensitive to diverse stimuli: sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks, as well as sensitive to the touch; brushing can be uncomfortable, even painful, and the patient can be tempted to skip brushing or cut it short, which is usually fatal for his or her teeth. When demineralized hypersensitive teeth are not properly cleaned, severe dental cavities affect the entire dental structure. Treatment becomes difficult. Patients need to understand that this condition appears as a result of an infection that can easily get out of control if hygiene is neglected.

What is remineralization?
Remineralization allows the loss of calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions to be replaced. 

How do dentists fix cavities now?

With 2.3 billion affected annually, dental caries is one of the most common preventable diseases globally. Tooth decay normally develops in several stages, starting as a microscopic defect where minerals leach out of tooth. Dentists normally treat established caries in a tooth by drilling to remove the decay and filling the tooth with a material such as amalgam or composite resin. 

What can this tool do?
Reminova Ltd, a company that emerged from King's College London Dental Innovation and Translation Centre, takes a different approach - one that rebuilds the tooth and heals it without the need for drills, needles, or amalgam. By accelerating the natural process by which calcium and phosphate minerals re-enter the tooth to repair a defect, the device boosts the tooth's natural repair process.

How would the tool work?

Electric currents already used to check pulp/nerve of a tooth

The two-step method developed by Reminova first prepares the damaged part of the enamel outer layer of the tooth and then uses a tiny electric current to "push" minerals into the tooth to repair the damaged site. The defect is remineralized in a painless process that requires no drills, no injections, and no filling materials. Electric currents are already used by dentists to check the pulp or nerve of a tooth; the new device uses a far smaller current than that currently used on patients and cannot be felt by the patient. The technique, known as Electrically Accelerated and Enhanced Remineralization (EAER), could be brought to market within 3 years.

What is the company?
Reminova Ltd will be based in Perth, Scotland, to benefit from the strong life sciences and dentistry base. It will commercialize the work of Professor Nigel Pitts and Dr. Chris Longbottom, based in the Dental Institute at King's College London. With a combined 80 years' experience in dentistry, they have previously brought dental devices to market to detect tooth decay. The company, formed in collaboration with Innova Partnerships, is currently seeking private investment to develop their remineralization device. 

Who are the designers?
Kit Malthouse, chair of MedCity and London's deputy mayor for business and enterprise, commented, "It's brilliant to see the really creative research taking place at King's making its way out of the lab so quickly and being turned into a new device that has the potential to make a real difference to the dental health and patient experience of people with tooth decay."

Sources:
https://wwww.dentalaegis.com/news.php?id=15411
http://www.dentfix.ro/en/2011/10/demineralization/ 
http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/wdj/print/volume-4/issue-9/focus-on-orthodontics/demineralization-and-remineralization-the-battle-to-keep-teeth-strong-and-healthy.html