Dental anxiety and holistic dentistry

Does going to the dentist for a simple cleaning cause you to have dental anxiety? Many people have dental anxiety or get stressed out before going to the dental office. We DentalChat get asked many local dental questions about dental anxiety and dental fear of going to the dentist. We are always looking to provide more informative dental care information to our users on DentalChat. In this Local Dental Blog, we will be discussing Holistic Dentistry, Dental Anxiety, and how stress can lead to Bruxism. 

Dental anxiety and ways to help

Going to the dentist’s office for a procedure can be an anxiety-producing experience. However, with proper knowledge, a patient can limit the effects and severity of the anxiety. Anxiety in any form affects a person. And dental anxiety can stop a person from going to the dentist. Dentist care is very important because the health of the mouth is shown to affect many other areas of the body. Eliminating dental anxiety is a very important concept that has had little success. 

Dental Anxiety 

Dental anxiety affects many patients. In fact, most people have some level of nervousness when going to visit the dentist. Most operations are relatively painless but some people get anxiety just from going in for check-ups. People with dental anxiety can feel uneasy when setting up appointments, going to them, and during. People develop anxiety from pain or negative past experiences from dental work.

Symptoms of dental anxiety include not being able to sleep the night before a procedure, panic attacks during procedures, and tensing up progressively more during the wait before the procedure. It is very important to arrive at your appointment early so you are not rushed because this can cause anxiety. It is very important to discuss your anxiety with your dentist beforehand. Doing this will allow them to adapt and adjust to suit your needs. Also, they will be able to give you the details of what the procedure will be so you are not unsure. It is also important to bring someone you trust to support you. 

Preparation before dental appointment

To reduce anxiety before coming to the dentist, it is important to confirm your appointment time, transfer your previous dental work, and clean your teeth before coming. It is advised to brush and floss before coming to the dental office. Doing this will, in turn, give you the confidence that everything is set in place. Once you get to the dental office, it is important to do some things while you wait.

It is good to discuss ways with a person at the office for certain pain medication or treatment during the procedure. Your anxiety should also be brought up to the doctor so he will be aware. That is, don't be shy to tell your dentist that you have some dental anxiety. Not having to wait long periods in the waiting room and perhaps having shorter appointment times, may possibly help.

What to do during wait periods

Once you are there, make sure you have the required documents for checking in. Be prepared to give medical information and history and also be ready to fill out insurance forms and medical forms. It is also important the patient distract themselves while waiting for the dentist. Reading books, using your phone, or just reading office magazines can distract you and put you at ease. 

Dental Care Remedies

Trying home remedies can often help with anxiety about teeth. Sometimes the problem isn’t severe enough to warrant a visit to the dentist. One of the easiest home remedies to do for a toothache is to rinse with saltwater. This can often ease the discomfort of minor pains and cleans the teeth.

Another way to relieve a toothache is to use a peppermint tea bag. The user would cook the tea and let it cool until it can be placed on the gum. Then they would put it on the area in pain. Brushing and flossing also help with all aspects of gum and teeth health. Many products can be bought at pharmacies as well. Some of these products work but some do not. It is important to do thorough research before experimenting with these products.

If your pain becomes too much, it is essential to go see a dentist. Toothaches can be signs of problems that need to be fixed with a procedure. While waiting to see the doctor a person can use pain medications to minimize the pain and reduce swelling. We at DentalChat.com answer people’s dental questions online. 

Do you have a Dental Question that would like to ask a dentist?      Ask DentalChat

Holistic Dentistry 

Many people are looking at a more holistic way of dealing with many of their medical issues. Holistic dentistry is dental care focused on the entire person. Oftentimes these dentists are more understanding and since they take the whole person into account, they have a lot more empathy for how you are feeling emotionally.

When a patient is evaluated by a holistic dentist, they are looked at what will help their entire person through dentistry. The dentist does not just focus on the mouth, but on what could be causing it and how certain procedures would change the body. Some beliefs of holistic dentists are different than traditional dentists.

For example, traditional dentists typically recommend a root canal to save a dying tooth. On the other hand, holistic dentists do not usually recommend root canals because it is impossible to clear all the bacteria out of the tooth which can lead to infection. Holistic dentists are also against using substances for tooth care that are poisonous when ingested.

This includes mercury fillings, fluoride, and many cleaning chemicals used on teeth. Holistic dentists also test how a substance will react in your mouth before using it fully. Traditional dentists do not typically take this extra step. Holistic dentists try to get at the root of the problem that is causing the poor symptoms of the teeth and gums while traditional dentists just try to solve the teeth and gums symptoms and nothing else. 

Anxiety, Bruxism, And Teeth Grinding 

The most common cause of a person grinding their teeth in their sleep is stress. Stress from the anticipation of dental work or dental issues can actually lead to teeth grinding. Oftentimes because dental work is required for bruxism, it will actually cause the problem to get worse if the grinding is from dental anxiety. The best way to avoid teeth grinding is to reduce stress and anxiety. This can be done by talking to a therapist and deciding on further action from there. From there a treatment for the tooth can be done in a way that will minimize dental anxiety. Some therapists specialize in anxiety for dentists and actual dentists that only have patients with dental anxiety. In this Local Dental Chat article, we discussed dental anxiety, holistic dental care treatment, and bruxism. We discussed various methods in dealing with dental anxiety - that hopefully with these methods it is possible to reduce dental anxiety and for more people to have better smiles!

The most common cause of a person grinding their teeth in their sleep is stress. Stress from the anticipation of dental work or dental issues can actually lead to teeth grinding. Oftentimes because dental work is required for bruxism, it will actually cause the problem to get worse if the grinding is from dental anxiety.

The best way to avoid teeth grinding is to reduce stress and anxiety. This can be done by talking to a therapist and deciding on further action from there. From there a treatment for the tooth can be done in a way that will minimize dental anxiety. Some therapists specialize in anxiety for dentists and actual dentists that only have patients with dental anxiety. 

In this Local Dental Chat article, we discussed dental anxiety, holistic dental care treatment, and bruxism. We discussed various methods in dealing with dental anxiety - that hopefully with these methods it is possible to reduce dental anxiety and for more people to have better smiles!