It is estimated that nearly 75% of adults in the U.S. have had a fear of the dentist at some point. One of the most common of all phobias, dental fear is also known as odontophobia. Interestingly, women seem to have dental fear more than men.

We see a number of fearful patients, most who have developed some level of gum disease over time. Helping to restore their oral health begins with an appointment where we discuss their concerns in our consultation room. Some people will share what sparked their dental fears in the first place, while a few don’t remember what prompted their fears. Regardless, I listen and then describe ways we can ensure their comfort throughout treatment.

Often, patients will request to have Oral Sedation along with their treatment. This is in pill form and taken prior to arriving at our office. By the time the patient arrives, they are very relaxed. Once the full effect of the medication has them in a totally relaxed state, we administer numbing medications and begin dental care.

Oral Sedation is safe and recovery is quick. It also leaves no memory of treatment afterwards for most. Some may recall hearing my voice during treatment, but that’s typically all they remember.

If you have dental anxiety, or you know someone who has intense fear when it comes to dental visits, please know that our friendly phone staff are experienced in speaking with fearful individuals. At all times, whether on the phone or in our office, you’ll be treated respectfully and warmly. We look forward to creating a comfortable, pleasant experience for you.

Several months ago, I ran into a friend I had not seen in over ten years. We chatted for several minutes before we both had to hurry off. Now, every time I think of him, all I can remember was his bad breath.

We’ve all encountered this. Yet, working in an office near someone who has bad breath can seem like daily punishment. And, worse yet, that ‘someone’ may be YOU!

I recently read the results of a consumer survey by the American Association of Periodontists and found it NOT surprising that:
• 32% of Americans say bad breath is the least attractive trait of their co-workers.

That represents nearly a third of all Americans in the job market! Yet, the survey also revealed that:

• 73% of Americans would rather go grocery shopping than floss.

When I consider how little time each day that the act of flossing actually requires, I’m shocked. For some reason, adults dread daily flossing more than the chore of the cart, crowds, and lines of a grocery store! Daily flossing helps to keep bacterial growth that contributes to bad breath to minimum levels. It is well worth the time spent. If you struggle with the technique, ask for instructions at your next visit.

A healthy smile always make a positive impression! Be the one in your office who has a ‘close up’ smile others love as much as you!

If you were building a home, you wouldn’t want to make the investment only to find it was built over an old, cracked sewer. The same applies to having a periodontal exam and necessary treatment prior to restorative work (crowns, bridges, fillings, partials, etc.).

For example, say you need a new bridge. Placing it in a mouth that is compromised by gum disease is a recipe for failure. This is because the bone and tissue damage of gum disease can cause the crowned teeth supporting the bridge to fail.

Some people aren’t aware they have gum disease in its initial stages since there are no obvious symptoms. Like many diseases, such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes, symptoms are not apparent in early stages and people are unaware they exist. When symptoms do emerge, however, it is because the disease is well underway and the body’s immune system can no longer combat its development.

This is also the case with periodontal disease. As the amount of oral bacteria become greater than your defenses can handle, it destroys healthy bone and tissue. You likely won’t notice there is a problem until symptoms become obvious. Early symptoms include persistent bad breath, sore gums that bleed when you brush, gums that recede and expose tender tooth roots, and gum tissue that is red in color rather than a healthy pink.

Don’t risk a lost investment when it comes to dental repairs. A healthy foundation will protect your smile’s investment for many years!

The Journal of Dental Research recently published results from a National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), indicating that one out of two American adults over age 30 have periodontitis. The findings highlight the extent, severity and prevalence of periodontal disease in our population.

The findings reveal that over 47% of adults have periodontal disease, which jumps to 70% in adults over age 65. Men have a higher incidence than women (56% vs. 38%), with smokers at 64%.

What makes this survey unique is that the data collected was the first to use full-mouth periodontal examinations. Since 2003, the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has been working closely with Centers For Disease Control (CDC) for an accurate accounting of periodontal disease in the U.S. The NHANES study was the first to use full-mouth periodontal examinations, rather than partial mouth protocols.

Partial mouth exams involve two randomly selected sections at two sites per tooth. Because periodontal disease is not distributed evenly in the mouth, prior surveys likely underestimated its prevalence. The full-mouth periodontal exam measured six sites per tooth for all teeth.

These findings support the need for greater awareness among our nation’s adults. Because of the relationship between periodontal disease and diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, periodontal disease should be acknowledged as a major public health concern.