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Top Tips for Beating Dental Phobia

Going to the dentist can be an anxiety-provoking situation for many people. But your dentist is there to help you. He or she understands that going to the dentist can cause anxiety, and they will do everything they can to help you feel more comfortable. Speak up about your fears The more you communicate with your dentist about your anxiety, the better he or she can plan for your visit and relieve your discomfort. Share with your dentist what you’re nervous about and discuss ways to ease those fears. For example, if the sound of the drill triggers you, let the dentist know ahead of time that you’ll be more comfortable if a mouthguard is used during your appointment. If the thought of pain keeps you from visiting the dentist, discuss whether sedation dentistry is right for you. Agree on a signal Use the hand signals for “stop” and “go.” You can also indicate when you want to take a break from the procedure. Hand signals can also be used to indicate situations that you are not comfortable with, like the use of certain tools or materials. This will allow you to feel more in control of the situation. Take a trusted person with you If the thought of going to the dentist makes you nervous or anxious, consider bringing someone you trust. This way, you will have someone you know and trust to talk to during the appointment. You can also trust that this person will speak up on your behalf if there is something you are uncomfortable with being done. Your companion can also be there to offer moral support if you need it. Bring distractions Bringing a distraction like a book or a magazine can help to keep you busy during your appointment. If music relaxes you, bring it too! Ask your dentist if they allow headphones; if so, you can drown out the noise of the office and get comfortable in your favorite tunes while you sit in the dental chair. Consider sedation dentistry If anxiety or fear is keeping you from the dentist, we can help relieve your discomfort with sedation dentistry. There are several different types of sedation available depending on your needs and preferences. Nitrous oxide is a gas that you breathe in through a mask during your procedure. It can help you relax but wears off quickly when you stop breathing in the gas. Oral conscious sedation involves taking a small pill about an hour before your treatment. You will still be awake and alert, but you may not remember much about your procedure after you get home. In addition to nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation, we also offer IV/intravenous sedation. This method puts you into a deep state of relaxation through the use of an IV drip that can be adjusted as needed throughout your procedure. You will be monitored the entire time to ensure your safety. All of these methods can help ease your anxiety and fear of the dentist so you can have a more relaxed visit with us. Contact us today to learn more! For the best dental care tailored to your unique needs, visit Main Street Dental at 3195 S Main St Ste 225, South Salt Lake, UT 84115, or call (801) 467-2255.

How Can Diabetes Affect Your Oral Health?

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that converts sugars, starches, and other foods into energy. WHAT IS DIABETES? Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses blood sugar. Your body needs glucose to function properly, but too much or too little sugar in your body can have serious health consequences. Over time, high blood sugar levels can lead to health problems such as heart disease and stroke. Low blood sugar levels can cause dizziness and cause people to pass out. High blood sugar can also cause tooth decay and gum disease. When your body has excess sugar in it, it creates an acidic environment in your mouth that wears down tooth enamel and allows bacteria to thrive. If left unchecked, these bacteria can enter the bloodstream and lead to other health problems like heart disease, stroke, and even pneumonia. This is why maintaining good oral health and regular visits to the dentist are so important for people with diabetes. Good oral hygiene habits can help protect your gum health and reduce the risk of problems such as gingivitis and periodontitis. These conditions cause your gums to pull away from your teeth and create pockets where bacteria and infection can thrive. Brushing and flossing regularly removes the bacteria from the mouth and helps you keep harmful bacteria from getting into your gums. This will help prevent infections and ward off more serious problems like tooth loss. At your appointments, your hygienist will check for signs of inflammation and other symptoms of periodontal disease. They will also help clean away more plaque and tartar buildup by using special instruments called scalers and curettes. If your brushing and flossing aren’t keeping your mouth healthy enough on its own, your dentist may also prescribe a special mouthwash to help keep your smile looking and feeling its best! WHAT CAUSES DIABETES? The most common form of diabetes is type 2, which is associated with lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that is unpredictable and can cause oral health complications as well. Uncontrolled diabetes can weaken your immune system as your body struggles to fight off infections. This leaves you vulnerable to gum disease. Diabetics are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease than people who do not have the disease. According to studies, people with uncontrolled diabetes are nearly twice as likely to develop gum disease as compared to those without the disease. Gum disease can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease and stroke. If you have diabetes and notice any of the signs discussed here, see your dentist right away. - Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing - Bad breath that won’t go away despite regular oral hygiene practices - Loose teeth that feel “wobbly” when you touch them - Pus around your teeth - Receding gums exposing the root of your tooth - Tooth sensitivity that makes eating hot or cold foods unpleasant - Tenderness or pain in your mouth that you can’t explain - Changes in the appearance of your gums - Redness, swelling, or bleeding of gum tissue - Swollen lymph nodes under your chin or around your neck - Dark spots on your gums - Persistent bad taste in your mouth that won’t go away - Numbness in your gums - Cracking and splintering of a tooth - Yellow or brown teeth, which can be a sign of advanced periodontal problems - Dentures that no longer fit properly Early detection is key when it comes to controlling your symptoms of diabetes and preventing further problems. If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, contact your doctor right away. You can WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES? Diabetes can affect your entire body, including the oral cavity. The salivary glands produce less saliva to protect the teeth from decay when the blood sugar levels are high. Without enough saliva in the mouth, it becomes easier for bacteria to grow and can lead to oral health problems. Dry mouth is one of the most common effects of diabetes on your oral health. This can cause discomfort and make eating and chewing foods difficult. You may also notice an unpleasant taste in your mouth. When sugar enters the mouth through food, drinks or medications, it feeds plaque bacteria. As these bacteria break down the sugar, acid is produced. Over time, this acid eats away at the enamel of your teeth, leading to cavities. In addition, the high glucose levels in saliva can multiply the acid and lead to faster tooth decay. People with uncontrolled diabetes are at a high risk for getting cavities. Uncontrolled high blood sugar is associated with gum disease as well. Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, causes inflammation and irritation of the gums. This can progress to bleeding, receding gums and even tooth loss. If left untreated, gum disease also can increase your risk of stroke and heart disease. At-home dental care is also important when you have diabetes to maintain good oral hygiene and prevent oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is the most important thing you can do at home to protect your teeth and reduce your risk for oral infections. Floss at least once a day to remove plaque from between the teeth and gums. Talk to your dentist about the best at-home care routine for you. HOW DOES DIABETES AFFECT ORAL HEALTH? People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing dry mouth, or xerostomia. Dry mouth is a condition where the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep the tissues in the mouth wet. This can lead to tooth decay and gum disease if left untreated. It is important to maintain regular appointments with your dentist for checkups and professional cleanings. A dentist will be able to measure your level of plaque buildup and examine the health of your gums to determine if you have any signs of gingivitis or other form of periodontal disease. If there has been damage as a result of not managing your oral health properly, the dentist can recommend an appropriate treatment to restore your smile to health. These can include professional teeth cleanings, deep cleanings, and other treatments if necessary.

Main Causes of Gum Disease

Gum disease is a common dental concern, affecting millions of people each year. At Main Street Dental, our experienced dentists are here to help you prevent and treat gum disease. Read on to learn about its causes: POOR ORAL HYGIENE The cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth feed off simple sugars, and when you don't brush and floss regularly, this sugary film can build up on the surface of your teeth. The longer it is there, the more it grows until it eventually hardens into plaque - a sticky substance that clings to the surface of your teeth. If it isn't removed in a timely fashion, it will harden into tartar, a material that can only be removed by a professional cleaning. If this is allowed to happen, it can cause serious damage to your gums and teeth, leading to gum disease. Even if you're brushing and flossing regularly, you still need to visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning so they can catch any potential problems before they become severe. GENETICS Your genes may have a lot to say about your risk for gum disease. For example, those with a family history of periodontal disease may be more prone to the condition themselves. That's because genetics may play a strong role in how susceptible someone might be to disease in general. While you can't change your genetic makeup, you can take steps to prevent dental problems. Brushing and flossing daily at home can help remove plaque that causes gum disease, and visiting the dentist for regular cleanings and exams can give your teeth the attention they need to stay healthy and strong. SMOKING The condition known as smoker's periodontitis is a type of gum disease that occurs in people who smoke cigarettes or use other forms of tobacco. This type of gum disease causes severe damage to the gums and other structures in the mouth. Plaque buildup is more severe for those who use tobacco products. In addition, smokers are at a higher risk of developing oral cancer. It's never too late to quit using tobacco, so call your dentist today to schedule a consultation to discuss quitting smoking once and for all. HORMONAL CHANGES When you're pregnant, the body produces hormones that increase your chance of developing gingivitis and gum disease. These hormonal changes can cause the gums to become inflamed or irritated very easily. Once the baby is born and the hormone levels stabilize, your gums should return to normal and heal from the condition. However, if pregnancy hormones were the cause of your gum issues, you may develop them again if you become pregnant again. If the mother has poor oral health during pregnancy, this can also affect the health of the baby. An unhealthy mouth can introduce bacteria to the bloodstream, which is then transferred to the baby through the umbilical cord. The harmful bacteria can then cause premature birth, low birth weight, and other health issues for the child. This is referred to as "pregnancy gingivitis." MEDICATIONS Many commonly prescribed medications list dry mouth as a side effect, which can lead to gum disease. A dry mouth is a condition in which the mouth produces less saliva than normal, which can leave the mouth vulnerable to bacteria, plaque buildup, and tooth decay. If you're currently taking medications and notice more instances of gingivitis or bleeding gums, speak with your doctor about alternative medications that may treat your condition without causing a dry mouth. In some cases, you may simply need to increase your water intake to combat the side effect of dry mouth. For the best dental care tailored to your unique needs, visit Main Street Dental at 3195 S Main St Ste 225, South Salt Lake, UT 84115, or call (801) 467-2255.

6 Bad Habits That Can Damage Your Smile

Bad habits, such as nail biting, using teeth as tools, chewing gum, and frequent snacking, can negatively affect your oral health. These habits increase your risk of gum disease, tooth decay, jaw pain, and more. Here is how.  Teeth-Clenching While some people may argue that teeth-grinding isn’t a habit, but a natural reflex during sleep, it can still be damaging to your teeth and jaw. In addition to wearing down your pearly whites, clenching or grinding can lead to chronic jaw pain, headaches, neck pain, earaches, and more. The pressure from clenching the teeth can cause the muscles around your jaw to become sore and fatigued, which can cause tension in your neck and face. This can also cause pain in the jaw muscles themselves, leading to discomfort and even locking the jaw completely shut. Thankfully, we can fit you with a mouthguard that can protect the teeth and jaws from this nightly habit. A custom-fitted mouthguard will be much more comfortable to wear than the stock ones you may find at the store. It will also wrap around your top and bottom teeth to provide the most protection possible from the pressure and friction from grinding. Nail Biting Nail biting is a very common bad habit. In fact, almost ten percent of people bite or pick at their nails! Picking and chewing on your nails not only causes unsightly yellowing, but it can also cause tooth sensitivity and even chipped or broken teeth. What’s more, the behavior can also pass germs from your nails to your mouth, putting you at risk of infection. Using Teeth As Tools Putting pressure on your teeth as tools isn’t good for them. Whether it’s opening packages with your teeth or using them to open bottles, this can cause unnecessary damage to your teeth. Furthermore, using your teeth as tools can chip or even break them. Try to avoid this behavior as much as possible. Instead, use a bottle opener or scissors when you need to open a package. Chewing Ice Cubes Ice may feel good when it gets inside a sore tooth, but it’s a bad idea for oral health. The ice and chewing motion can cause damage to your teeth by chipping or potentially cracking your enamel. The cold temperature also causes blood vessels to constrict and send less blood to the nerves in the teeth. Using Tobacco Smoking and using other forms of tobacco are some of the worst habits for your oral health, and quitting can be one of the best things you can do to preserve your teeth. In addition to lung cancer and a host of respiratory issues, smoking can also cause tooth decay, gum disease, tooth loss, and more. Smokers are at a higher risk of oral cancer as well. While quitting can be difficult, it is well worth the effort to protect your health. Those who quit smoking have a much better chance of reversing the effects of tobacco use on their teeth than those who continue to smoke. Quitting cold turkey is not ideal, though, so ask your dentist about the best cessation method for you. Not Brushing Your Teeth Regularly We can all admit to skipping our nightly brushing routine occasionally, but doing so on a fairly regular basis can be detrimental to your oral health. When you skip out on flossing and brushing, oral bacteria build up in your mouth. This bacterial buildup can lead to tooth decay and the erosion of your enamel over time. Once enamel is lost from your teeth, it cannot be replaced! Avoiding regular brushing also leads to gum disease, which is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Gum disease also increases the risk of other medical conditions like heart disease and diabetes. For the best dental care tailored to your unique needs, visit Main Street Dental at 3195 S Main St Ste 225, South Salt Lake, UT 84115, or call (801) 467-2255.