Tips To Overcome the Fear of Going to the Dentist

Many of us fear going to the dentist. Statistics show that one out of four people do not simply fear going to the dentist, but dread the entire experience. There are 5-8 % of people that avoid the dentist due the fear of going to the dentist! For many it is not an enjoyable experience, but fortunately there are tips that can make the trip an ease.

Here’s some advice to overcome the fear of going to the dentist, and to make your future trip worry-free.

§  Find a dentist that suits you, and is understanding. Get your know your dentist.

§  Share your fear of going to the dentist with the dentist so that he/she knows, and will do their best to accommodate your needs. For example the dentist and yourself can come up with a hand signal that will allow the dentist to know that you want them to stop in order to give yourself a break. This will allow you to feel more in control, and more at ease.

§  Bring a friend or family member with you! They can accompany you and help you with your fear of going to the dentist.

§  Pick an early appointment time. This will allow you to get your appointment out of your way first thing in the morning.

§  Start your first visit with a simple appointment, such as a cleaning. Work your way up with longer procedures once you feel comfortable with the dentist, and the environment.

§  Get to know the rest of the staff in the office to familiarize yourself with the environment.

§  Listen to music during your appointment to distract you from the procedure.

§  Don’t be afraid to ask the dentist any questions that you may have. Familiarize yourself with dental service.

§  Relax yourself with breathing techniques. Take big breathes in and out.

Here at Florence Dentistry , the ottawa downtown dentist we understand the fear of going to the dentist. Come and checkout our ottawa dental service, and get to know our staff. We will be more than happy to answer any questions, accommodate any needs, and to erase your fear of going to the dentist!

A Guide on Manual and Electronic Toothbrushes!

Electric toothbrushes have become more and more popular since the 1990’s, but the real question is. Are they better than manual toothbrushes? From a dental professional point of view, there are several pros and cons to both techniques, which I will discuss further.

Manual Toothbrushes

·         Pros: – there are multiple toothbrush styles, so patients can choose the one that they enjoy best (though I would always suggest a soft or extra soft toothbrush… to be explained later) – easy to travel with… no need for batteries or chargers – very inexpensive.

·         Cons: – you MUST use the proper brushing technique that your dental professional has instructed you to use (which can be difficult and time consuming) – if you use the WRONG technique and the WRONG toothbrush, you can cause detrimental damage to your teeth and gingiva (gums) including gingival recession and abfractions (loss of enamel).

Electric Toothbrushes

·         Pros: – Easy to use… all you have to do is hold the toothbrush head at a 45 degree angle and rest it on the teeth, and the job is done, plain and simple – It takes less time and less work to do a BETTER job, in removing plaque and debris from your teeth – Most electric toothbrushes have timers and technique indicators, giving you less to worry about as you brush your teeth… also easier for children to gage how long they should be brushing – Because it is electric, patients feel they’re teeth are CLEANER than if they did it with a manual toothbrush.

·         Cons: – you must ensure your toothbrush is always charged… if the battery is not charged, HOW WILL YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH????? – COST… electric toothbrushes cost significantly more than manual toothbrushes – they can be easily broken, so you need.

At the end of the day, the type of toothbrush you use is up to you. You simply need to acquire the knowledge required to brush appropriately for your unique dental situation – this information can be attained by your dentist at ottawa downtown dentistry.

At Florence Dentistry – Downtown Ottawa Dentist, we provide a wide range of ottawa dental services for Ottawa patients needing various treatments from general to more detailed procedures.