The clinical name is onychophagia. Nearly a third of all Americans deal with it regularly, and that percentage increases among teenagers. Nail biting is a common habit that, at its surface, seems relatively harmless. However, if you want to preserve the integrity of your pearly whites, the time to mitigate the compulsion is now.

Teeth are tough, and thank goodness. They put up with a lot from us, but if we want them to last, we shouldn’t take advantage of them. Teeth are suitable for food and nothing else. You should not use your teeth to open packages, bottles, or anything else, and even though teeth may seem stronger than fingernails, there are many reasons that nail biting is not good for your teeth.

Keratin

If you had the habit of biting a horse’s hoof every time you were stressed, you’d know pretty quickly that the behavior wasn’t good for you. It turns out that horses’ hooves and human nails are made of the same substance: keratin. Keratin is a fibrous protein that forms the structure of many biological features, including scales, feathers, and the epithelial cells in the outermost layer of your skin. When it builds up on the ends of your fingers and toes, keratin is designed to protect the delicate nerve centers of those digits. It is accordingly relatively tough and not good on the enamel.

The Problems of Nail Biting

Nail biting is a lose-lose situation, damaging to nails, nail beds, and teeth. The effects can be subtle, but they are many.

Structural Teeth Damage

The grinding pressure of nail biting can cause hairline cracks within teeth to form. These can quickly go from a minor problem to requiring extensive dental repairs. Biting your nails can also chip your teeth, which can be unsightly, and the repairs can be expensive. The need for repair in the case of a chip is much more apparent.

Bruxism

Nail biting instills a habit of bruxism, the propensity to grind, gnash or clench your teeth. If you bite your nails when you are nervous or stressed, you train your body to default to a bruxistic response every time you experience such emotions.

Decreased Longevity

Perhaps the most prevalent problem with nail biting is that the grinding action can erode tooth enamel. Enamel cannot be replaced when it is gone, leaving your teeth vulnerable to decay.

Bacterial Spread

Having a small child means telling them constantly to stop putting things in their mouths. This is often because of a choking hazard, but it’s also because we “don’t know where that thing’s been.” The same principle applies when putting fingernails in the mouth. No matter how frequently you wash your hands, putting them into your mouth introduces bacteria that is better outside of the body.

Gum Damage

Displaced bacteria introduced into the mouth from one’s hands can lead to gingivitis—gum disease. Nail biting also subtly shifts the teeth within the gums, making people who have already had orthodontia done nervous and introducing gaps in the gums that can leave them vulnerable to disease.

Fighting the Urge

There are many suggestions in circulation for how to quit compulsive nail biting. While it may take a few tricks in conjunction and the process may be gradual, if you want to kick nail biting to the curb, try some of the following suggestions:

Cut your nails short—If there is not much to bite, it can discourage that compulsive response.
Paint your nails—If you get a manicure, it may cause you to think twice about ruining the polish. If you paint your nails at home, use a bitter polish. The taste and texture of flakey nail polish in your mouth may discourage further biting.
Try alternatives—The compulsion to be chewing something may be filled by chewing gum.
Start slow—If stopping cold turkey doesn’t seem feasible, try to gradually break the habit. Cover one nail, perhaps the one most commonly bitten, then add more coverings over time.

In the fight against nail biting, you are not alone. Speak with your dentist about ways to kick the habit to the curb so you can protect your smile.

While it makes the things we eat taste wonderful, sugar can have lasting effects on many aspects of our health. Too much sugar in the diet leaves teeth exposed to bacteria that lead to cavities and other detrimental dental problems. To protect your teeth, here are five ways you can cut down on sugar.

Sugar hides in our food under different names: glucose, sucrose, fructose, hydrolyzed starch, molasses, corn syrup, and many others. In your efforts to cut down on sugar, keep an eye out for all its aliases. When we talk about high sugar content, we include volumes of 22.5g or more total sugar per 100g, while “low in sugar” generally indicates 5g or less per the same volume.

Ditch the Fizz

Soda is loaded with sugar. A 16oz can of soda contains the equivalent of 12 sugar cubes. In fact, the sugar in drinks—including soda, sweetened juices, and cordials—accounts for one quarter of the total sugar we consume. That makes it a pretty good target in the effort to cut down on sugar. That’s not even taking into account the fact that the acidic nature of carbonated drinks is also extremely abrasive on tooth enamel.

A better option for your teeth is drinking lots of water, which helps to flush out toxins and debris. However, if you are still looking for something sweet to sip, look for sugar-free drinks or natural juices. Even adding fruit to your water can sometimes satisfy a sweet tooth.

Replace the Fake

There are better ways to curb a craving for something sweet than the dessert counter or the candy aisle. Eating more fruit can help fill the sugar fix, but the sugars in fruits are not refined and are, therefore, better for the body. This also applies to other foods to which you would normally add sugar. If you often use sugar or syrup to sweeten your oatmeal, try adding raspberries or bananas instead.

Find Options with Less Sugar

We tend to load our foods with sugar in the United States. Even foods that you wouldn’t associate with sucrose, things like breads, pasta sauce, premade soups, and condiments, are pumped full of sugar during production. Look for brands and varieties that have lower sugar content. You can do this by comparing the labels and looking for the lowest sugar ratios. Be especially wary of added refined sugars. High fructose corn syrup is a red flag if you want to cut down on sugar.

Make the Switch

There are many, many substitutes for sugar. During food prep, you can use alternatives like unsweetened applesauce in equal amounts for structural purposes. To cut down on sugar but still preserve delicious flavor, the options are abundant. Consider using extracts like vanilla, orange, almond, or lemon. Sometimes spices can also do the trick. Try cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, or ginger.

Just a Pinch

When baking, you can often get away with less sugar than a recipe calls for. Especially if you stick with the practice: the body grows used to lower sugar levels, so if you ever add the listed amount back in, it may be too sweet for your palette.

Beyond baking, add less sugar after the food is made. Spread less jam or marmalade on your toast. If doing less steers too close to losing out on your favorite flavors, opt for smaller portions.

You don’t have to remove sugar from your diet completely. Making a concerted effort to cut down on sugar can protect your teeth without compromising the sweetness in your diet. For more information, speak with your dentist to make a good plan for you.

Oral cancer refers to any cancer that affects the lips and the inside of the mouth. It is the most common form of cancer in the head or neck. While prognosis for oral cancer is relatively good—the overall 5-year survival rate for patients with an early diagnosis of oral cancer is 84%—cancer of any form is difficult on the patient and friends and family. Regular dental care is essential for early discovery and treatment.

Defining Oral Cancer

Oral cancer affects the lips and the oral cavity. This may include the floor of the mouth under the tongue, the lining of the inside of the cheeks, the most forward part of the roof of the mouth (the hard palate), the first two-thirds of the tongue, the space behind the wisdom teeth, and the gums. It can also affect the oropharynx, which includes the back of the tongue, the back of the roof of the mouth (the soft palate), the tonsils, and the sides and back of the throat. Cancer further down the oropharynx is called oropharyngeal cancer.

Causes

Oral cancer is caused by the mutation and rapid growth of the squamous cells in the oral cavity. There are a number of risk factors:

Smoking (cigarettes, pipes, or cigars)
Use of other tobacco products (chewing tobacco, snuff, dip, hookah, or shush)
Regular and excessive consumption of alcohol
Excessive exposure to solar UV rays without protective lip balm
Poor diet low in vegetables and fruits
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Age (risk increases with age)
Sex (men are 50–70% more likely to develop oral cancer, especially if over the age of 50)
A family history of oral cancer

While these all contribute to the risk of developing cancer in the mouth, it should be noted that 25% of oral cancer patients don’t have known risk factors.

Symptoms

Oral cancer almost always produces patches in the oral cavity of one of three varieties:

Erythroplakia: Red patches in the mouth (either flat or slightly raised) that bleed when scraped are indicative of erythroplakia. About 70% of erythroplakia is cancerous or precancerous. The condition often arises out of an area of leukoplakia.
Leukoplakia: Leukoplakia is characterized by flat white or gray patches in the mouth or throat. Leukoplakia looks similar to thrush, but the patches cannot be wiped away. If the patches fade on their own, they are unlikely to mutate into oral cancer. If not, see a physician right away.
Erythroleukoplakia: The patches associated with erythroleukoplakia are red and white, a combination of both erythroplakia and leukoplakia. Erythroleukoplakia patches present a relatively high risk of malignant transformation.

The other symptoms of oral cancer are vast and unpleasant. Patients can experience inexplicable oral bleeding and other pain, numbness, or tenderness to the touch in and around the mouth. Difficulty using the jaw or tongue—for chewing, swallowing, speaking, etc.—is common, as is swelling in affected areas and halitosis. Symptoms more removed from the mouth include earache and unexplained weight loss.

Treatment

The treatment for oral cancer is similar to the treatment for other cancers. Cancerous tissue is removed during surgery, then treatments of radiation therapy and chemotherapy are used to destroy any remaining cancer cells. Radiation therapy utilizes high-energy beams, such as X-rays, while chemotherapy uses chemicals. These treatments can be administered on their own or in combination with other cancer treatments.

For example, targeted drugs alter specific growth mechanisms within oral cancer cells, and immunotherapy uses the body’s immune system to fight against cancer cells. One of the reasons cancer is so difficult to cure is because cancer cells produce proteins that disguise them from the cells of the immune system. Immunotherapy operates under the principle of inhibiting that process. The treatment is relatively new and is primarily reserved for people with advanced oral cancer that does not respond to standard treatments.

If oral cancer is not treated in time, surgery to reconstruct the mouth or jaw may be necessary. This drastic measure can be avoided if the warning signs of cancer are recognized early on.

On the Lookout for Oral Cancer

Oral cancer affects roughly 50,000 people in the United States every year. If properly treated early on, it is usually manageable. However, if it is allowed to spread to lymph nodes, tissues, and organs beyond the oral cavity, the 5-year survival rate drops to 65%.

Some risk factors for oral cancer can be removed from the lifestyle of those wishing to avoid it. Persons with a family history of cancer should avoid smoking and other carcinogens. Sometimes the disease is unavoidable, but regular dental care can discover oral cancer before it becomes unmanageable. We urge everyone to visit their dentist regularly for the sake of their own health.

We associate white teeth with beautiful and healthy teeth. We find a bright smile more appealing and approachable, and, in consequence, having white teeth can increase self-confidence. It is no surprise, then, that the internet and family traditions are filled with methods of DIY teeth whitening. However, are these tricks of the trade protecting your teeth as they brighten them?

Why Are Teeth White?

Many things can cause discoloration of the teeth. Coffee, red wine, soda, tobacco, nicotine, dark foods, and time itself are just a few, and some people just naturally have whiter teeth than others. The pearly sheen is created by calcium levels in tooth enamel, the outer layer of teeth. Beneath it lies dentin, which is of a more yellow tint. When enamel wears down, that dentin layer peeks through.

Common DIY Teeth Whitening Methods

Every aunt or girlfriend seems to have her own method of whitening her teeth, and it’s likely that she swears by it. While the principles behind these whitening methods do achieve results, sometimes the harm they do overshadows the pearly white sheen they deliver.

The goal of cosmetic teeth whitening is to remove stains from tooth enamel through gently scraping them away or by bleaching the enamel to a lighter shade. Over-the-counter teeth whiteners often use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as their primary active bleaching ingredients.

While DIY teeth whitening methods are more accessible, such home remedies are less permanently effective than professional methods, and the likelihood of an uneven application (and consequent yellow or super white patches) is significantly higher. They can also have harmful side effects, including gum irritation, damage to soft tissues, tooth sensitivity, and damage to teeth.

Baking Soda

Sodium bicarbonate, commonly called baking soda in the US, is a leavening chemical common in baking. It has absorptive properties that make it useful in removing unwanted smells and stains. Because of this, it is often used in whitening toothpastes and on its own as a DIY teeth whitening agent. While it is natural and generally safe, think twice before you use it to whiten your teeth.

Despite its other good qualities, baking soda is highly abrasive. When used in the mouth, it can cause gum irritation and incrementally erode tooth enamel. Enamel, once gone, does not return, so using baking soda as a tooth whitener can permanently leave your teeth with an increased risk of damage or decay.

Lemon Juice

The active ingredient in lemon juice is citric acid, which is a natural whitening agent. Lemon juice and other sources of citric acid are common DIY teeth whitening agents. Unfortunately, the corrosive nature of citric acid can strip off enamel in a way similar to baking soda. This calls into question whether or not eating citrus fruits is detrimental to your teeth. However, it is only prolonged exposure to the corrosive acid that eats away at tooth enamel. Drink plenty of water the next time you eat an orange.

Charcoal

Activated charcoal acts by absorbing toxins and stains, though the exact mechanism and even its true effectiveness have not yet been determined. It is also abrasive and can, unsurprisingly, gradually weaken and strip away tooth enamel, leaving teeth vulnerable to cavities. Like the others on this list, activated charcoal is a short-term solution that actually causes long-term damage.

Oil Pulling

The concept of oil pulling has its roots in Ayurveda, a natural system of medicine dating back 3,000 in India, but the mechanism is not entirely understood. The general idea is to “pull” bacteria from the mouth by swishing oil—often sesame or coconut—around in the mouth. Its efficacy is under debate. While it may be helpful in improving oral health and whitening teeth, it can also cause sensitivity in the teeth and jaw, and swallowing the oil by accident can cause digestive discomfort.

Keeping Your Teeth Safe

These DIY teeth whiteners have their uses, but use wisdom and discretion in their usage. Even though they have their flaws, there are safe ways to use their active ingredients. Be sure that the toothpaste you use is certified with the ADA’s Seal of Acceptance.

Professional Teeth Whitening

When you leave the DIY teeth whitening tricks behind and allow a professional dental clinic to manage the process, you can receive personalized levels of teeth-whitening agents. Our teeth whitening services at Covington Dental Arts use elements in the proper concentrations to whiten your teeth evenly without overloading them. In this way, you receive a healthy treatment that lowers your risk of gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. You also have access to a wider variety of treatment methods not found on Walgreens’ shelves. Give us a call today to get started.

Has a drooping or gummy smile made you feel like frowning instead? Do your new dentures chafe against the inside of your mouth? Despite common belief, Botox injections are effective for more than just relaxing wrinkles. A carefully administered injection can have beneficial dental applications as well, and we at Covington Dental Arts are proficient at offering the best Botox options to meet our patients’ needs.

What Is Botox?

“Botox” is the now common nickname for all cosmetic applications of the botulinum toxin onabotulinumtoxinA. It is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, and Botox was the first brand to successfully market the toxin for cosmetic purposes. The toxin blocks nerve signals to the muscles, temporarily preventing injected muscles from contracting.

What Is Botox Used For?

Different from a facelift, Botox is a muscle relaxant. It is most commonly used to treat wrinkles, but it has dental applications as well. A gummy smile is the most common, but it can also help relax the muscles in cases of TMD and grinding teeth or if one has just gotten new dentures.

Conditions treatable that do not have obvious dental connection include lazy eye when it is caused by an imbalance in the eye motor muscles; eye twitching caused by involuntary muscle spasming; muscle contractures like cerebral palsy which cause severe and debilitating muscle contraction; and cervical dystonia, in which the neck muscles contract involuntarily and cause the head to twist painfully and lock in an uncomfortable position. Those with hyperhidrosis, chronic migraines, and bladder dysfunction may also benefit from Botox injections relaxing overactive muscles.

What to Expect

Treatments involving needles always tend to cause some anxiety, and Botox injections prescribed by a professional are no different. Fortunately, the procedure, performed by a skilled hand, is nothing to worry about and is quite short, usually only a matter of a few minutes. The provider inserts a needle containing the tempered Botulinum toxin into the area of the face in question, and results are noticeable within one to three days after treatment. Numbing the area in question before injection is usually an option if a patient is worried about pain from the needle, though anesthetic is not required.

Sometimes a week or two is required for the toxin to take full effect, and depending on the problem being treated, the effect may last three months or more. Regular injections are required to maintain the desired effects. After the injection, your provider may also instruct you to stay upright for four hours and to refrain from exercising for the rest of the day. Insurance does not cover cosmetic Botox.

Botox Side Effects

Receive Botox injections only after thorough discussion with your physician. Not all patients should receive the injection, and not all conditions can be managed with Botox. Be certain to only solicit Botox injections from a licensed physician at a professional establishment. By doing so, you can be assured you are only receiving injections of purified toxin by an experienced hand.

In addition to refraining from vigorous activity the day of the injection, do not massage or rub injected areas for at least 24 hours. Refraining can limit the risk of the toxin spreading to other areas of the body. Even with these precautions, complications can arise after Botox injections just as they can with any medical procedure. Depending on the location of the injection site, possible side effects include pain, bruising, or swelling at the injection site; droopy eyelids; dryness in the eyes or excessive tearing; a crooked smile or drooling; headache; and flu-like symptoms.

More serious problems may arise if the toxin spreads to other areas of the body. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience muscle weakness, trouble speaking or swallowing, loss of bladder control, or problems with your vision or breathing in the hours or weeks after receiving Botox. Expectant or breast-feeding mothers are advised against receiving Botox injections, as are those who are allergic to albumin, a protein found in cow milk used in the production of the injection.

Injections at Covington Dental Arts

At Covington Dental Arts, we offer injectables, including Botox, to provide you with all the options available to create a smile you love. Our experienced staff stays current on the latest research and is skilled on administering injections in a way that is safe and effective. We will consult with you to determine if Botox injections are the right choice for you and your smile. If you think they might be, give us a call at Covington Dental Arts today.

It’s all part of the night time ritual: stand before the bathroom vanity with a lather of toothpaste in your mouth as you vigorously brush away food and plaque. However, does the fact that it’s part of the daily routine mean it’s the best way to do things? According to current research, it may be time to lose (or at least lessen) the lather and try dry brushing.

What Is Dry Brushing?

Dry brushing is the act of brushing one’s teeth without toothpaste. This may seem counterintuitive—we associate foamy soap with a good clean and the minty aftertaste of toothpaste with clean teeth. However, according to emerging research, it may be more effective to spend at least some of your dental-care time dry brushing, up to 67% more effective.

The Perks

The Nitty Gritty

Dry brushing, with its uncushioned bristles, packs a greater punch than brushing with toothpaste, so it is especially effective against plaque buildup on the inside surface of the lower teeth. When your mouth isn’t full of foam, the tricky-to-reach areas in your mouth are more accessible, meaning they can get scrubbed down too when you dry brush.

Any Time

Although, on average, people brush their teeth for 45 seconds to a minute and a half, the American Dental Association recommends brushing for two minutes twice daily, and research indicates that significantly longer (try 8–10 minutes) is better for dislodging harmful buildup. It can be terribly uncomfortable or even dangerous to have spicy foaming toothpaste in one’s mouth for that long, but that’s not a problem if you use the dry brush method. Dry brushing allows you to brush for longer for a more thorough clean.

Anywhere

In the same vein, because you don’t fill your mouth with spicy toothpaste and water when dry brushing, you don’t need to stand near a sink while you dry brush your teeth. You can pack a toothbrush and sneak in additional brushing sessions after a meal on the go, without any need for water or toothpaste. This can prevent stains before they have the chance to set in.

This locational flexibility also makes dry brushing more accessible for those who are disabled or who otherwise find it difficult to stand for extended periods of time. You can dry brush while you sit on the couch and relax at the end of the day or while traveling, either on the commute or even longer jaunts. Just be sure to rinse with water afterwards.

Truly Clean

A mouth that is minty or cinnamon-y may taste clean, but without properly brushing away plaque and other buildup, that fresh taste may just offer a false sense of security. Even going on feel alone is not always indicative of a good clean, since most commercial toothpastes contain glycerin and other oils to make your teeth feel smooth. Do not let these sensory triggers trick you into brushing for a shorter time than is effective. It helps if you dry brush before traditional teeth brushing.

Tips to Successfully Dry Brush Your Teeth

Many of the same rules about brushing your teeth that you’ve heard parroted since you were a child still apply to dry brushing. It is best to hold your toothbrush at your gumline at a 45-degree angle and use small circular motions as you sweep the bristles across your teeth. A brush with soft bristles will protect your teeth and gums from the rigors of brushing, especially because without the mitigating effects of toothpaste, dry bristles are stiffer. While this means that they do a better job of removing plaque, it is still important to be kind to your enamel.

For the sake of hygiene, make sure to rinse your toothbrush thoroughly after dry brushing. It is also important to replace your toothbrush at least every three months, and more often if your brush looks shabby or discolored. Don’t forget to scrub your tongue and gums when you brush your teeth, and don’t worry about brushing for too long. Some schools of thought suggest that brushing for up to 20 minutes won’t go amiss, which is much easier while sitting and binging Netflix than while standing by the sink.

Use dry brushing in conjunction with traditional toothbrushing. Dry brushing will dislodge debris and puncture layers of plaque, and the subsequent use of toothpaste provides the benefits of strengthening fluoride. In addition to all your one dental hygiene measures, continue working with your dentist to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy and strong. If you have any dental questions or concerns, feel free to call Covington Dental Arts today.

“Brush your teeth—you don’t want to get cavities.” How many times have we heard that phrase growing up? For many, the answer is too many to count. And the repetition seems warranted: dental cavities are highly common. In fact, the majority of Americans experience at least one cavity by their mid-30s. But what are cavities? What can be done about them? Can they be prevented?

Dental cavities are holes in the enamel of a tooth. Also referred to as tooth decay, cavities can affect anyone with at least one tooth, including infants, though they are most common in children, teens, and the elderly.

What Causes a Cavity?

Dental cavities are caused by the buildup of plaque, a sticky but clear film of bacteria that coats the teeth. Throughout the day, bacteria feed on sugars that haven’t been brushed off the teeth. If left unchecked, plaque will eat away at the teeth as well, leaving holes. Consequently, poor brushing and flossing are the chief cause of dental cavities. Diets heavy in sticky or sugary foods contribute to plaque buildup and therefore cavities.

On the other end of the spectrum, acids can also wear holes in the teeth. Acidic food and drinks can damage enamel, as can eating disorders that involve the frequent passage of vomit past the teeth and conditions like acid reflux.

Kinds of Cavities

Cavities can form in the outer layer of tooth enamel, in the middle layer (the dentin), and the internal layer (the pulp). Smooth surface cavities describe the slow-growing dissolution of enamel, pit and fissure decay cavities develop in the crowns of teeth, and root decay is the most serious.

Symptoms

Dental cavities are tricky little problems. Holes in enamel are not always visible, especially when they are tucked in nooks and crannies or embedded in tooth roots. Once the problem progresses, however, other symptoms may arise:

Tooth sensitivity
Toothache
Spontaneous pain in the teeth
Tooth pain when eating or drinking something hot or cold
Black, brown, or white staining on the tooth surface
Pain when you bite down
Halitosis
Bleeding gums or gum disease

Can You Get Rid of Cavities?

If even small cavities go untreated, they will only grow. The problem can also worsen, leading to infection, toothache, and sometimes even tooth loss. Cavities must be filled or crowned in order to protect the remaining tooth from further damage. Cavity filling is best handled as early as possible to halt further decay. Fortunately, a dentist can usually take care of cavities in under an hour.

If cavity damage is so severe that the root of the tooth dies, a root canal is required. Your dentist removes the nerves, tissues, and the decayed tooth remains and fills the root space with sealant. A cavity cannot heal itself. Dental cavities are permanent.

How to Prevent Cavities

Prevention is the best medicine. The best way to protect your teeth is to take excellent care of them before cavities can take hold. First things first: brush frequently and thoroughly. Cavities are most common in the back molars, which are harder to reach while brushing and have contours that can hide bacterial growth. Be very thorough when brushing and make sure to floss to clean the places a toothbrush won’t reach.

Regular dental care also goes a long way toward preventing cavities. Bianual visits to the dentist make sure that the growth conditions of cavities are caught before they become a problem. Visits to the dentist also ensure that your teeth are regularly receiving a healthy coating of fluoride. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and prevents tooth decay.

Even before it’s time to brush your teeth (at least twice a day, remember), you can protect your teeth by what you eat and drink. The Mayo Clinic recommends eating tooth-healthy foods. This excludes very sticky, sugary, or acidic foods and includes fresh fruits and veggies for healthy saliva flow. Replacing soda with water has two benefits: you limit the volume of tooth-eating acid washing over your teeth, and water is excellent at washing away the bugs that eat away at enamel.

Cavity Care in Riverton, Utah

At Covington Dental Arts, we want to help your teeth shine. In addition to our more cosmetic dental procedures, we offer regular cleaning and filling services. We have a pediatric focus when it comes to the prevention of dental cavities. We know that kiddos can have a harder time taking care of their teeth, but we are here to help you and your family have the healthy teeth you desire.

In the movie Royal Wedding, Fred Astaire’s character describes a startled and panicked expression by saying, “You should have seen the expression on your face when you saw me…As if I were a dentist.” Unfortunately, dental anxiety is so common, it is easy fodder for uncomfortably relatable comedic dialogue. A 2009 study found dental phobia to be the most common of those tested for, even outranking phobias of heights and spiders.

We’ve all felt at least a twinge of nervousness when going to the dentist, but why is going to the dentist so universally scary? Most people understand that regular visits to the dentist are valuable and important to dental health, but that awareness does not always overpower the very real burden dental anxiety presents. Without downplaying that struggle, we have a few suggestions on how to manage it.

Common Sources of Dental Anxiety

Half of the battle with fear is pinpointing its source. Not everyone shares the same concerns about the dentist, and other peoples’ anxieties form a veritable cocktail. These are a few of the most common causes of dental anxiety.

Lack of Control

As human beings, we like to feel in control of our surroundings. At the dentist office, it may feel like we give away our autonomy when we sit in that looming chair.

Pain

In the study mentioned above, fear of physical injury was prevalent in the study group, but we don’t need an academic study to know that human beings don’t like pain. If you expect to feel pain at the dentist, it will certainly raise your anxiety levels.

Fear of Shots

Fear of dental injections are two-fold: the general fear of needles and concerns about what is being injected. Shots bring initial discomfort, but many people hate the numbness that follows the injection of a local anesthetic.

Fear of Tools

There’s no way to sugarcoat that someone else putting a drill between your teeth can be a source of pronounced dental anxiety. Being unfamiliar with what exactly each dental tool does loops back into the sense of helplessness associated with loss of control.

Embarrassment

The dentist is an expert on dental health, so if you are self conscious about the state of your teeth or how long it’s been since you last visited the dentist, you might be worried that the dentist is judging you. “Scared to go to the dentist after 10 years” and “rotten teeth scared of dentist” are commonly searched Google terms.

Bad Experiences In the Past

If a previous dentist visit has left a bad taste in your mouth, going back will be even more difficult to face than the first.

Ways to Reduce Dental Anxiety

Anticipation can be the best part of something you are looking forward to and the worst part of something you dread. Often going to the dentist is not as bad as one expects it to be. For example, root canals are treated as the worst-case scenario in common language, when in reality root canals are meant to correct preexisting pain. While soreness in the jaw often follows the procedure, the pain is less than the usually debilitating toothaches that necessitate root canals.

Remember that regular dental visits are vital to protecting your teeth against cavities, gum disease, and tooth infection, but we have several suggestions to make visiting the dentist less anxiety-inducing if merely recognizing the importance is not enough. If none of these help, you might also try visiting a psychologist to work through extreme dental phobia.

Go With Someone You Know

Having a friend or family member whom you trust can mitigate the fear of a dental visit. That person can offer support and reassurance.

Manage Your Stress Response

Work to control your breathing and remind your nervous system that you are not in danger. Stretches and meditation before a visit can achieve this too. If you are prescribed an anxiety medication like Temazepam, take it before dental work at the discretion of your doctor.

Distract Yourself

Ask your dentist if you can listen to music during your visit. Wear headphones to further train your brain that you are in a safe place.

Arrive Early

Rushing will add fuel to the fire of anxiety. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the dentist office and take deep breaths in the lobby.

Transparency with Your Dentist

Let your dentist know about your fears. So many people have dental anxiety that your dentist will be understanding and equipped with the right tools to help ameliorate the fear. The best dentists are happy to answer your questions and explain their methods.

Find the Right Dentist for You

Choosing a dentist is a matter of following good reviews and trial and error. Find a dental office that has a calming atmosphere and a dentist that is accommodating and answers your questions.

If dental anxiety is keeping you from getting the dental care you need, we are here to help. At Covington Dental Arts, we want you to feel confident in your smile, both in and out of the dentist chair. Give us a call today to see how we can help.

Poor dental hygiene is a plague nationwide, and we think it’s safe to say we’re over those. There are plenty of lists out there with tips for stronger teeth, including everything from basic brushing to using mouthwash and fluoride products to strengthen your pearly whites. We think it’s equally important to know the dental hygiene mistakes—the don’ts as well as the dos—so you know how best to protect and preserve your smile.

Inadequate Time Spent on Brushing

A common dental hygiene mistake is to spend insufficient time brushing your teeth. Plaque and other buildup are tough little troublemakers, so experts recommend at least two minutes to successfully brush them off. If you need to hum Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to fill the time, hey, whatever works.

Brushing Immediately After Eating

Eating acidic foods has the tendency to temporarily soften the enamel that coats and protects your teeth. Because of this, brushing your teeth immediately after eating is a dental hygiene mistake. Instead, allow 30 to 60 minutes after you’ve finished eating before you brush your teeth to make sure you are not also brushing off precious enamel.

Brushing Too Hard

While you want to be firm in taking the plaque off your teeth, you should also remember that being too rough can damage your enamel (the layer that protects your teeth). To maintain good oral hygiene, brush gently but consistently. Opt for a soft-bristled toothbrush and decide whether an electric or manual toothbrush will give you the right amount of pressure during your brushing routine.

Brushing Only Once a Day

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when brushing is to only do so at night. Bacteria grow rapidly, more rapidly than we sometimes think. Thwart the bugs before they build up by brushing at least twice a day, in the morning and before you go to bed.

Starting at the Same Position

The problem with starting at the same place each time you brush your teeth is that other areas of your mouth are unconsciously neglected. An uneven brush job disproportionately cleans your teeth. This leaves healthy teeth in the places you spend the most time brushing but doesn’t fully remove bacteria and plaque in the other areas. Don’t make this dental hygiene mistake—give all your teeth equal time.

Focus Only On Your Teeth

Everything that happens in your mouth affects your teeth. This means that when taking care of your teeth, you need to consider your gums and tongue as well. Brush these as thoroughly as you do your teeth for optimal dental hygiene.

Faint-Hearted Flossing

Say it with us: flossing is essential! The only way to remove particles and buildup from the tricky-to-reach places in your mouth is to floss, floss, floss. Mouthwash is not a substitute for thorough flossing. Choosing not to floss is inviting debris to an extended stay nestled in your smile, like the worst kind of houseguests that leave holes in the walls. Skipping the floss is not just a dental hygiene mistake—it leads to further oral damage.

If your gums bleed when you floss, don’t panic or toss the floss. Bleeding during flossing is an indication of weak or unhealthy gums. The more consistently you floss, the stronger your gums will become and the less they will bleed.

Storing Your Toothbrush Incorrectly

Managing dental hygiene doesn’t stop when the toothbrush leaves your mouth. Once your toothbrush has been thoroughly rinsed, the way that you store it actually has bearing on how clean it will be the next time you use it. Keeping it upright allows excess water to run off, taking with it potentially harmful bacteria. Most importantly, though, your toothbrush should not be kept on the counter, at least not if it is in the same room as your toilet. Without too much detail, if you don’t want what’s in the toilet to get on your toothbrush, store that toothbrush behind a closed cabinet door.

Not Changing Your Toothbrush Regularly

Unfortunately, the bristles of a toothbrush are a great place for bacteria and other bugs to hide. To use the same toothbrush for too long is a common dental hygiene mistake. Traditional toothbrushes or toothbrush heads should be replaced every 3 to 4 months.

Eating Too Much Sugar

If you feel energized after eating a snickerdoodle, imagine what bacteria can do with that energy. Cutting back on sugar doesn’t just look great on your Instagram posts about healthy eating; it also limits the energy source of the bacteria that buildup on your teeth. Win-win we say.

Avoiding the Dentist

If you only visit the dentist when you’re in pain, you’re doing your teeth a disservice. While your dentist can correct glaring problems like cavities, the kind of regular care a dentist offers is tremendously beneficial to keeping your teeth healthy and strong. Dentists can make sure your teeth are clean to an extent you can’t manage at home, they can check your alignment, and they give you a free toothbrush. What more could you want? Beware this dental hygiene mistake and come visit us at Covington Dental Arts and Wellness.

Every six months? Really? Bi-anually may seem overkill when it comes to visiting the dentist; is it really so important to schedule an appointment so often? The answer is a resounding yes! Whether you are a frequent flosser or not, visiting the dentist regularly is crucial to maintaining oral health. Here are just a few reasons why.

Helps Prevent Tooth Decay

Cavities and tooth decay are prevalent threats. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has cited tooth decay as the most common chronic childhood disease. While regular brushing and flossing are valuable in fighting off cavities, a dentist’s office is equipped with the tools necessary to thwart tartar build-up and plaque that is too stubborn for a mere toothbrush to take care of.

Visiting the dentist frequently also makes it more likely for the dentist to catch cavities in their early stages, making them easier and less expensive to treat. Your dentist will also check any fillings you already have to make sure they remain secure and effective.

Protects Against Oral Diseases

Your dentist is not merely keeping an eye out for cavities. Another common oral condition is periodontitis (gum disease) which can lead to inflammation of the gums and eventually to tooth and bone loss. Good oral hygiene serves as a preventative, including brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist. Your dentist can spot if periodontitis is setting in. Particularly relevant if you smoke or use tobacco, your dentist can also catch signs of oral cancer. Again, the more regularly you are visiting the dentist, the earlier the dentist can discover and treat oral problems.

Helps Hinder Halitosis

Did you know that cavities are a great hiding place for bacteria that cause bad breath? Brushing and flossing are key to keeping your mouth minty fresh, but visiting the dentist can provide a deep clean of those spaces that are tricky to reach with a toothbrush. By visiting the dentist, you not only disrupt a trendy hangout for bad breath bugs, but a dentist can also recognize other concerns that contribute to halitosis, such as dry mouth.

Strengthens Your Teeth

Visiting the dentist is not only preventative. It is a proactive approach to fortify your teeth. Regular cleanings and fluoride treatments make your teeth stronger. Stronger teeth in turn are better equipped to fight off tooth decay and other threats to oral health. Give your teeth the care they need, and if you do, your teeth will function better and provide a smile that lasts longer.

Lets You Love Your Smile

You’re never fully dressed without it, so let your dentist help keep your smile looking good. Visiting the dentist helps keep teeth looking bright by staving off stains from food, drinks, and tobacco. While this happens naturally with proper care, your dentist may also have suggestions for supplemental methods of whitening your teeth. Here at Covington Dental Arts, we offer high-quality and successful teeth-whitening methods. Having a smile you can be proud of will lead to increased self-confidence, and there’s nothing so nice to share as a smile.

Find Dental Health Strategies for You

Your dentist is a treasure trove of information when it comes to preserving and promoting oral health. Expertise meets genuine care as your dentist examines x-rays or performs a filling. Visiting the dentist consistently serves as a team effort to maintain or restore the health of your teeth and gums. Your dentist can lay out strategies best for your teeth so you know you are giving them the care they need. You may even learn tactics or treatments you weren’t aware of before.

With your dental records on file, your dentist can also monitor the growth and development of your teeth and jaw, to provide timely suggestions in case orthodontia or other intervention is needed. If you have experienced trauma to your mouth or teeth, your dentist can work with you to create a plan to restore oral health.

Here at Covington Dental Arts, our goal is to promote oral health—your oral health. We are here for you to make sure you have healthy teeth and a smile that you can be proud of. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment.

Monday	7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday	7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday	7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday	7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday	7:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed

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Starting at the Same Position

Focus Only On Your Teeth

Faint-Hearted Flossing

Storing Your Toothbrush Incorrectly

Not Changing Your Toothbrush Regularly

Eating Too Much Sugar

Avoiding the Dentist

Helps Prevent Tooth Decay

Protects Against Oral Diseases

Helps Hinder Halitosis

Strengthens Your Teeth

Lets You Love Your Smile

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