Category Archives: Sensitive Teeth

Five Tips To Getting Over Your Fear Of The Dentist

22 Thursday Oct 2015

Posted by in Adult Dentistry, General Dentistry, Sensitive Teeth

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Is there any profession that brings out peoples fear more than the dentist? There is a reason “Little Shop of Horrors” casts a dentist as the main villain (Steve Martin is excellent in the movie, btw).

 

These fears can be brought on by different issues ranging from childhood experiences, to a lack of control while sitting in the dentists chair. Whatever the issue might be, here are some tips to help you overcome your fears and help your smile become the brightest it can be.

  1. Find a dentist you trust

Overcoming a fear of the dentist all starts with trust. Ask friends and family if they have a dentist they like. If you can’t find a recommendation from someone, try DentistUSA.com. Once you find your dentist…

  1. Explain your fears

This information will help your dentist determine the best course of action to help you manage your fears, will build a trusting relationship and help you feel more in-control when in the dentist’s chair.

  1. Deep breathing

There are many breathing exercises that can help relax you. If those don’t help, you might ask you dentist about…

  1. Additional medication to help relax

Many dentists recommend nitrous oxide, sedation or anti-anxiety medication for nervous patients. Talk to your dentist about these options to see if it might help.

  1. Visit your dentist regularly

The more you go, the more you’ll get used to the sites and sounds. Just regular check ups and cleanings will also help prevent issues that might lead to other, more painful procedures, which could cause more anxiety.

 

5 Things to Eat When You Have a Temporary Crown

20 Wednesday Aug 2014

Posted by in Adult Dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, DentistUSA.com, General Dentistry, Sensitive Teeth, Smile, Tooth Friendly Recipe, What To Eat

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Cavities. They can happen to the best of us. Even those who happen to write a blog about how not to get them… (please don’t tell my bosses).

So, a quick trip to the dentist, a couple hours in the chair watching a movie while they drill (the movie was Larry Crowne… how apropos) and I find myself with a temporary crown awaiting a permanent that should arrive in a couple weeks. Which led me to wonder, what can I eat so that this loosely attached piece of acrylic doesn’t come off and leave me with an exposed nerve in my mouth?

Lets start with what to avoid:

  1. Sticky foods.

All of your sugary, gum candies should be avoided. These include: chewing gum, hard candies, caramels, toffee, etc. They should probably be avoided even when you don’t have a cavity, unless you want a cavity and then you’ll have to avoid them anyways.

  1. Hard foods.

These range from nuts to uncooked vegetables. If you must have them, avoid chewing on the side of your mouth with the crown.

  1. Hot liquids.

This includes soups, coffee, tea. This is more a sensitivity issue more than anything else. It’s hard to keep liquids to one side of the mouth and if you have any exposed nerve endings, you can feel some discomfort when the heat touches the crown.

  1. Cold foods.

As stated above, the same goes for cold foods. Anyone who has sensitive teeth can attest to the pain of cold on teeth.

So what can you eat?

1. Smoothies

Right after I had my temporary crown installed I asked my dentist what I could eat. She told me to stay away from the foods I listed above and suggested I try a smoothie from the place next door. As it is summer right now I can imagine a smooth might be good. Just be careful of how cold the smoothie might be. You can control the temperature when you whip up your own!

2. Pasta

I decided I wanted something more substantial than a smoothie and opted instead to go to the Italian place next to my dentist office (my dentist is in a strip mall with a bevy of food options). I had a nice rigatoni with alfredo sauce. I got it to go so by the time I got home it had cooled down and was just warm enough not to cause any discomfort. It was soft, satisfying and most importantly, didn’t hurt.

3. Pudding

If you’re wondering what I had for dessert, wonder no more! I had chocolate pudding. Once again, soft, satisfying and most importantly, didn’t hurt.

4. Eggs

From scrambled to hard-boiled, eggs are a good option. They are soft, satisfying… you get the idea.

5. Soups

I know, I know. I told you in the list above to avoid soups. But that was hot soups. Cool soups like a vichyssoise or gazpacho are a great option, especially with this summer heat. Even good, old-fashion soups, like chicken noodle is okay, as long as you let them cool first. The Joy of Blending has a really tasty Cool Mint Pea soup.

Really, there are plenty of foods to eat while you have a temporary crown. Just remember to stay away from the avoid list above, chew with the opposite side of your mouth the crown is on and you should be just fine. Remember, if you ever feel pain, especially when you are not eating, make sure to inform your dentist.

The Most Important Style Accessory for Summer: Your Smile!

31 Friday May 2013

Posted by in cosmetic dentistry, DentistUSA.com, General Dentistry, Sensitive Teeth, Smile, Tooth Enamel

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Can you believe we are half way through 2013? It seems like, just yesterday, we were cheering in the New Year. But here we are, at the beginning of summer.

So, with the weather warming up and people concentrating on their summer wardrobe, I thought we should talk about what your most important summer accessory will be: your SMILE =)

A national survey from the American Dental Association, Crest® and  Oral B® found that the smile outranked eyes, hair and the body as the most attractive physical feature on the opposite sex.  However, “men and women differ when it comes to taking care of their teeth and gums. The nationally representative survey of 1,000 Americans ages 18 and older found 86 percent of women brush their teeth twice or more a day, yet only 66 percent of men do so,” according to the survey. And everybody needs to floss more “Only half of those surveyed (49 percent) say they floss their teeth once a day or more often.”

How can we brighten up our smiles?

At-home whitening products are very popular. Lyndon Cooper, D.D.S., Ph.D., former president of the American College of Prosthodontists suggests whitening toothpaste or white strips. Though, the later may cause tooth sensitivity. He also suggests beginning your teeth-whitening regimen (even whitening strips) a few weeks before your dentist visit. “This way your dentist can address any sensitivity issues,” he says. “And if the product doesn’t work, he or she can determine if the discoloration is more serious.”

The most common in-office whitening procedure involves custom-made trays filled with stronger bleaching solution (than what is available in over the counter solutions) that fit over teeth. A light or heat source is used to speed up the whitening process. This process gives you the best whitening available.

What is the best solution for you? “If your teeth and gums are in excellent condition, you may want to consider an [at-home] whitener,” says Kellee Kattleman Stanton, DDS, a spokeswoman for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. But if your teeth or gums are sensitive, at-home whiteners may not be the best choice as they can cause irritation. At that point, it is best to visit your dentist.

What’s the best way to keep that smile shinning? Dr. Ada Cooper, an ADA consumer adviser and practicing dentist in New York City says, “Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, eating a balanced diet, and visiting your dentist regularly can help keep your smile healthy.”

So, instead of hitting the mall and looking for that perfect summer dress, let’s think about our dentists and get that perfect summer smile! Don’t have a dentist? Check out DentistUSA.com. A quick check up can brighten up your smile and help brighten up your summer!