This two-part article series discusses why many patients experience fear and anxiety at the prospect of their bi-annual appointments.

People avoid going to the dentist for many reasons. Some just don’t regard it as an important part of their general health care, while others are ashamed of the poor condition their teeth are in. However, the greatest reason people avoid the dentist – the greatest reason by far – is fear.

Odontophobia is actually a very common fear, with the majority of all patients experiencing some degree of anxiety when they go for their bi-annual appointment. This anxiety might manifest itself as a mildly elevated heart beat and sweaty palms, or it could bring on a full-fledged panic attack. Some patients have been known to become physically ill at the prospect of undergoing a dental procedure.

The question is: why does a visit to the dentist bring on such panic? And why is this reaction so pervasive amongst patients? The cosmetic dentist in Arizona gives us some answers…

Arizona Cosmetic Dentists Discuss Patient Fear and Anxiety

“The greater majority of patients experience some degree of fear and anxiety at the prospect of an appointment with the dentist because they are told to,” says an expert in teeth implants Arizona. “Perhaps not directly, but we learn about a fear of the dentist from movies, media and from our friends and parents.”

This is quite an interesting point to learn; probably because it’s true! Of all the people you know, few actually have a negative story of their own to relate. Most of the time we go for an appointment with the dentist, it goes by without incident, discomfort or pain. It just takes one bad experience and the story gets trumpeted about for everyone to hear. So, instead of just one person being affected by their experience, countless more are made wary and fearful.

“Movies are another source of fear and anxiety for patients,” say the teeth implants expert. “The Dentist 2is a perfect example of the fear-mongering the media indulges in when it comes to general and cosmetic dentistry.”

When you think about it, it’s not hard to be afraid of the dentist or of dental appointments. First of all, your mouth is quite an intimate organ, so you feel very vulnerable sitting there with a masked individual peering into its depths. Secondly, there is an array of rather sharp and intimidating-looking implements within arm’s length of your head. And thirdly, a visit to the dentist could end up with you requiring a needle injection.

“Many of the patients I see are terrified of needles more than anything else,” says an Arizona cosmetic dentist. “Once they understand that anesthetic gels can be rubbed on the gums to totally eliminate the pain associated with injections, they become a lot more amenable to treatment!”

The Important Message…

Whatever the source, there are things you can do to overcome fear and anxiety associated with dental treatments. Oral sedative medications, depending on dosage, can be taken to either take the edge off anxiety or eliminate it altogether. “The important message to remember is that skipping dental appointments is not the answer,” stress cosmetic dentists in Arizona. “You’ll only end up requiring more extensive, invasive and expensive work to fix problems that could have been avoided with regular preventative treatment.”

Stay tuned for the second installment of our two part series in which we will be discussing modern dentistry and pain management.

Dental implants from a cosmetic dentist in Arizona entail the replacement of your tooth or a set of teeth. Implants are considered as artificial tooth root placed on your jaw bone and are generally used for restorative as well as aesthetic functions. Dental implants Phoenix is an effectual process that enables you to eat what you like without having to worry about biting or chewing irregularities, and other aftermaths of a tooth loss like damage to the oral cavity, malnutrition, etc.

Usually, if you have missing teeth you tend to be quite conscious while talking, eating and smiling. In addition, you will be incapable of eating all types of food items particularly those food items that require a lot of chewing. To avert such conditions and health problems, it is essential that you get the appropriate treatment done by professionals like those who place dental implants in Phoenix.

Post the initial implant surgery, a slight discomfort is experienced along with bleeding and swelling at the implant location. But these are normal. You might be provided with effective prescription pain medication by your cosmetic dentist in Arizona to relieve you of any discomfort or pain. Maintaining a good oral hygiene is vital to take advantage of the long-lasting effects of the dental implants from Phoenix. You can take care of your implants just like you take care of your natural teeth.

You can avert any sort of dental implant problems and complications by following your dentist's instructions diligently related to post-treatment care, hygiene and maintenance. You have to restrict your diet to soft chewable food items for a period of about a week after the treatment. If the treatment involved stitches, then it is highly suggested that you get them removed first by your dentist before you start your solid food diet. Ask your dentist to use the stitches that are self-dissolvable.

Oral Hygiene is Essential

Oral hygiene for those who have undergone implant surgery is quite essential owing to the fact that your natural teeth, oral cavity arrangement along with the jaw have been substituted by imitation objects, thus making detection of any sort of symptoms or infections rather difficult. Additionally, you can also have your dental X–rays taken frequently in a year to become aware of any indications of dental implant malfunction or any other complications. This can also turn out to be less expensive in the long run.

You should take care of your dental implants in Phoenix just as you take care of your natural teeth. This will encompass continuing all those activities like regularly brushing your teeth along with the natural and artificial gums, and the surrounding area two times per day. Don’t forget to floss regularly or this can lead to one of the prime reasons for implant failure. You have to restrict the intake of extra sugary and sticky food to ensure better functioning of the implants. Avoid movements that will put pressure on your implants like teeth clenching and grinding.

Consulting with your dentist on a regular basis is essential. Dental implants in Phoenix are designed to last a long time; yet care has to be taken as they are also prone to wear and tear just like your natural teeth.

For enhancing your smile and getting rid of dental issues, you certainly need to be very vigilant in identifying a good cosmetic dentist for mainly two reasons.

The chief objective of cosmetic dentistry is to enhance the overall aesthetics of a person’s smile. A good smile is quite effective in improving anybody's self-confidence as well as self-esteem. Thanks to the progression in various fields of dentistry, cosmetic dentists, Arizona are capable of providing you smile makeovers and full mouth reconstructions.

A smile makeover is helpful in improving the appearance of the smile by executing one or more cosmetic procedures, while a full mouth reconstruction usually entails treatment for several functional problems with the teeth and surrounding muscles and also deals with issues like extreme wear of the teeth, thus reducing the pain.

Cosmetic dentistry – Known for smile makeovers

If you went through your childhood with awful dental problems then perhaps as an adult it is now time for a change. Since the mouth and teeth are those features that get noticed first, it becomes all the more vital to ensure complete and proper dental health. To help you restore and enhance your health, cosmetic dentistry Arizona portrays a pivotal role.

Nowadays, many people have become more conscious today and they are more likely to visit a cosmetic dentist in Arizona in order to improve their smiles and dental health. The most common cosmetic dental procedures that are more in demand are tooth whitening, dental implants, invisalign, lumineers and veneers. These procedures are professionally carried out by cosmetic dentists to give you a perfect smile.

Choosing a Cosmetic Dentist Arizona

For enhancing your smile and getting rid of dental issues, you certainly need to be extremely vigilant in identifying a good cosmetic dentist for mainly two reasons. The first main reason is that it is your teeth that are in question here. You certainly do not want your teeth and smile to end up in a bigger mess as compared to their previous condition. The second reason is that cosmetic dentistry Arizona can often be a very expensive procedure and thus it is definitely not a wise idea to pay money to a dentist who is not experienced and competent enough.

You can start with asking your friends or relatives for any recommendations for a cosmetic dentist with whom they might have received treatment successfully.

Moreover, before scheduling an appointment with the chosen dentist make sure that the level of experience of the dentist in cosmetic dentistry is good enough to make you feel comfortable about your decision. Again, once you have narrowed down on a cosmetic dentist Arizona; don’t dither in asking for a cosmetic dentist treatment plan for getting an idea of the whole analysis and solutions that you are most likely to receive from your dentist.

Gain confidence with your smile and improved dental health

So, if you are unhappy with your smile; or if you need any sort of restorative teeth surgery or dental implants then all you need is to locate a good cosmetic dentistry, Arizona who will soon treat all your dental problems and ensure that you get a million dollar smile on your face.

This article discusses gingivitis: what it is, its symptoms and how to prevent it.

Gingivitis, explains the cosmetic dentist in Arizona, is essentially inflammation of the gums, the ‘gingiva,’ and is generally a result of a bacterial infection. Gingivitis is perhaps best known for causing bad breath, which has to do with the wastes produced by the bacteria found in plaque and tartar. These are high in sulfurous compounds. While gingivitis is not in itself destructive, untreated it does lead to acute and chronic oral bacterial infections, which in turn cause a whole variety of terrible symptoms, including tooth loss and the need for dental implants, warns the cosmetic dentist in Arizona.

Cosmetic Dentist in Arizona: Signs and Symptoms of Gingivitis

One of the biggest problems with gingivitis is that it doesn’t tend to cause any pain, says the cosmetic dentist in Arizona. As a result, patients may not notice they have an oral problem that could be causing bad breath, bleeding of the gums when brushing and potentially, tooth loss and the need for dental implants! As such, it’s important for everyone to take note of the signs and symptoms of gingivitis. Should you present with one or more of the following symptoms consult your dentist immediately for treatment:

• Red and inflamed gums,

• Swollen gums,

• Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing, says the cosmetic dentist in Arizona,

• Bad breath,

• Tooth discoloration,

• Gums that have receded abnormally from the crowns of the teeth,

• The visible accumulation of plaque and tartar between the teeth,

• The gums can also be tender or sensitive to the touch.

Cosmetic Dentist in Arizona: What You Can Do to Avoid the Need for Dental Implants

In most cases, gingivitis can be resolved with a proper home oral hygiene routine. What you essentially have is a bacterial infection in your mouth; keep your teeth and gums clean and you can help your mouth to heal, saving you from potentially needing dental implants!

• Brush your teeth for at least two minutes at a time.

• Brush your teeth at least three times a day, half an hour after meals.

• Floss twice a day, says the cosmetic dentist in Arizona; in the morning and before you go to bed at night.

• Use an anti-bacterial mouthwash to really gain the upper edge on the micro-organisms populating your gums, advises the cosmetic dentist in Arizona.

• If it has been more than six months since your last appointment with the dentist and oral hygienist, schedule an appointment immediately.

Ask the Cosmetic Dentist in Arizona: What Causes Gingivitis?

In 1999, two primary categories of gingivitis were categorized at the 1999 World Workshop in Clinical Periodontics:

1.Gingival disease caused by dental plaque. These are further divided into the following sub-categories, says the cosmetic dentist in Arizona:

i. Gingivitis caused only by plaque,

ii. Gingivitis caused by systemic factors,

iii. Gingivitis caused by malnutrition,

iv. Gingivitis caused by medication.

2.Gingival disease not caused by dental plaque. These are further divided into the following sub-categories, says the cosmetic dentist in Arizona:

i. Gingival diseases caused by a specific bacterium,

ii. Gingival diseases caused by a specific fungus,

iii. Gingival diseases caused by a specific virus,

iv. Gingival diseases caused by genetic factors,

v. Gum inflammations caused by systemic conditions,

vi. Gum inflammations caused by reactions to foreign bodies,

vii. Gum inflammations caused by traumatic lesions,

viii.Gum inflammations without known causes.

3.Other causes of gingivitis include:

i. Fluctuating hormones, such as during pregnancy, puberty and menopause.

ii. Certain diseases, such as diabetes, HIV and cancer, says the cosmetic dentist in Arizona

iii. Certain medications, especially those that impede saliva flow, such as the anti-convulsant Dilantin and some anti-angina medications.

iv. Smoking

v. A family history

A Final Note from the Cosmetic Dentist in Arizona

If you suspect that you may have gingivitis, then contact the cosmetic dentist in Arizona immediately to have your oral health assessed. In addition to the impact of this condition on the appearance of your smile and unpleasant symptoms such as bad breath and tooth discoloration, it can lead to gum disease, tooth loss and the need for dental implants.