Do you know that every three out of six people in the United States of America have a dental phobia? And most people experience dental anxiety only after making a dental appointment or on the day of the dental visit.
Visiting a dentist always makes you nervous, whether a child or an adult. Sitting on a chair in the clinic while receiving injections and dental procedures is scary! This dental phobia or dental anxiety prevents people from receiving treatments on time and taking medications.
One can't emphasize enough that a dentist plays a crucial role in helping you manage your anxiety and uncertainties. But, unfortunately, kids especially can't convey their fears properly. Hence they find excuses for not going to the dental clinic. In this article, let's talk about how your family dentist can make dental visits easier for you and how you can choose the right dentist for your family.
Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety is used to describe stress, fear, or anxiety that one experiences in a dental environment. For example, certain dental tools, such as drills, needles, or dental drills, can trigger dental anxiety. Being scared of dental visits can cause a delay in dental treatment, worsening the condition of oral health. When dental anxiety becomes severe and results in complete ignorance towards oral problems, it is known as dental phobia. Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety disorder, stress, etc., can increase the chances of a person experiencing dental anxiety.
Cause of Dental Anxiety
You can experience dental anxiety due to any of the following reasons:
- You have had a traumatic experience visiting a dentist or healthcare professional.
- You have previous injuries to the neck and neck
- You suffer from depression, generalized anxiety, or post-traumatic stress.
- You think that dental procedures and accessing the mouth are an intrusion of personal space.
- You have trust issues and conditions like claustrophobia (fear of confinement) or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
- You feel that you will lose control of the situation.
Signs of Dental Anxiety
A person suffering from dental anxiety experiences the following symptoms:
- Excessive Sweating
- Low blood pressure and the possibility of unconsciousness
- Palpitations or rushing heartbeat
- Signs of panic, distress, and crying
- being aggressive to cover for anxiety
- Missing dental appointments consecutively to avoid dental treatments
Effect of Dental Anxiety On Oral Health
Avoiding dental appointments can worsen your dental conditions and require more complex treatment afterward. It degrades your oral health and adds to the underlying dental anxiety. To prevent the situation from worsening, it is essential to have regular dental visits for cleaning and monitoring with X-rays. Otherwise, more invasive treatments would be required in the future. Most oral diseases are due to lifestyle and dental hygiene habits. If you avoid going to the dentist due to dental anxiety, you will likely need more complicated procedures when you finally visit. You must also learn to care for your teeth and maintain oral health. The factors that lead to oral diseases are similar to obesity, diabetes, or stroke. Hence taking care of your oral health is a significant part of your overall well-being.
Managing Dental Anxiety
If you have dental anxiety, going to a family dentist can help. They have skills, techniques, and tools to calm you down if you panic before or during the treatment procedure. Here is what you can do if you experience fear.
If you're afraid of undergoing dental procedures, discussing it with your family dentist is best. While sharing your thoughts might calm you, knowing what you can expect will make you feel relaxed.
Dentists offer several sedation options. These options help the patients to relax during dental procedures and reduce dental anxiety. Some examples are nitrous oxide and oral tablets that help to manage pain and discomfort.
Sometimes, distractions like televisions, speakers, and headphones distract patients from dental procedures and help them relax. Imagine watching your favorite Tv show and forgetting about the treatment procedure while your dentist finishes it. You can also talk to your dentist about bringing your headphones to the clinic and ask if it is acceptable to listen to music.
Kids And Family Dentist
Everyone in a family has individual dental needs during their life. However, from kids to adults to the elderly, not all of them might require the same treatment at a particular time. A family dentist is a dental health professional with expertise in treating patients of all ages.
Family dentists provide several treatments, from oral checkups to dental whitening and fillings to fluoride treatments.
Family dentists have been around. But they are unique because of their variety of services in a single place. According to the American Dental Association, about 158000 dentists in America practice general dentistry. General dentists can provide oral care treatments to the whole family. They can also have specialties like cosmetic dentistry or orthodontics. The difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist is that family dentists offer services for the whole family in a single place. Family dentists allow you to schedule dental appointments for many family members at a time. You don't have to make appointments on multiple days, and hence it saves time.
Family dental groups are becoming more and more popular because they are versatile. They offer a one-stop solution to all your family's dental needs. Whether you need an orthodontist or a kid's dentist, a family dentist is an all-in-one solution to your requirements.
Your children can have a positive experience with family dentists with dental visits. A kid's early dental visit is crucial in developing a positive attitude towards dental visits. If kids have bad experiences in the beginning, they may develop dental anxiety. Hence, a kid's dentist is patient and gentle and makes kids comfortable. They also encourage kids to practice oral hygiene and visit dental clinics.
Benefits Of Having A Kids And Family Dentist
Having a family dentist is beneficial for you. Here are the reasons:
1. Family dentists help to eliminate dental anxiety
Children and adults both experience the severe problem of dental anxiety. If any of your family members experience such a condition, going to a family dentist can enable you to have your dental examination together. Children are likely to develop dental anxiety at an early stage in their life. Having a family dentist helps them to overcome this fear. When your little children see you undergoing a dental examination, they develop trust and get more comfortable with the whole process. It creates a positive impression on your children when you go to your family dentist unanimously because children tend to impersonate elders' actions. With a family dentist, your child can overcome their fear of dentists at an early age. Hence, they will be comfortable with dental examinations for life. Regular dental checkups are essential for excellent oral health. If children overcome their dental anxiety, they will never miss dental appointments.
2. Family dentists make dental examinations more convenient.
A family dentist for your whole family makes the whole process of dental assessment convenient for you. Whether your family has little kids, teens, or the elderly, you can take them to a single place for dental appointments. In addition, having trustworthy family dentists will ensure that all your dental needs are fulfilled.
3. Family dentists are family with your dental history.
One of the most notable advantages of having a family dentist is that they know the dental history of all your family members. They know your dental condition and the procedures that you have been through. Your family dentists will have all your records, whether it is surgeries, sensitivity, or allergies. They will also provide the best possible treatments based on their medical history. Your family dentist will also monitor your oral health regularly and check for new symptoms. If some conditions are genetic, having a dentist for the whole family will help you to prevent them. For example, if your dentist has treated your orthodontic conditions, they will take preventative measures for your child.
4. Family dentists ensure a long-lasting relationship.
With a long and meaningful relationship with your family dentist, you develop trust and communicate more freely. It means that you won't hide anything from your dentist. When your dentist knows everything about your oral health, they will diagnose your symptoms appropriately. Hence, you and your family will get the proper treatment and care. Also, if you have any fears, you can share them with your family dentist, and they will make the process comfortable for you.
5. Having a family dentist ensures regular services.
A family dentist makes you and your family members confident about getting a dental examination. Knowing that you have a trustworthy dentist will never make you miss any dental appointment.
6. Family dentists encourage preventative care.
When children are in their developmental stage, they need special care. Your family dentists will encourage your children to take care of their oral hygiene and teach them preventative practices to keep their teeth healthy. If any of your kids needs a teeth alignment procedure, your dentist will do it early, and it is better when they are kids. Regular dental checkups, brushing, rinsing, and flossing will ensure that your family members have good oral health. It will also prevent problems such as cavities and gum diseases in the long term.
7. Family dentists can provide emergency dental care.
In case of any emergency when you need dental care, you can reach out to your family dentist. For example, there can be situations when your kid may get a chipped tooth inconveniently. When you need a dentist, you don't have to search for one as you already know the one you can trust. Whenever you need, you can call your family dentist and schedule a quick appointment.
Choosing The Right Family Dentist
Though having a family dentist is a great advantage, finding the best dentist for your family can be challenging. While looking for your perfect dental health professional, you should consider the following points:
Qualification
Since new technologies are emerging, your dentist must keep up with them. Look for your dentist's website and see their credentials. You can enquire directly and ask them about their education. Know about their experience and if they continue their dental education. You should ask them about their services and if they treat patients of every age. Some family dentists don't provide services to kids or direct them to pediatric dentists. Hence, you should know everything about them in the beginning. For example, your kids may require braces, and it's a post-care appointment. You should inquire if dentists provide such services and routine care. Having a family dentist that provides various services such as braces, fillings, cleanings, and checkups will save a lot of time for you and your family.At last, if any family member has a dental fear, look for a dentist who understands their condition. You can also find a clinic that offers special services like music and entertainment to distract from the dental environment and stay calm. Before setting up an appointment, try to know as much as possible about your potential family dentist.
Services
You should find a dentist that offers the services you're looking for for yourself and your family. Along with professional teeth cleaning, your dentist should also offer a broad range of services that your family might need at some point. So whether you need teeth whitening or tooth extraction, you'll have a single destination for all your requirements. Some examples of services that your dentist might offer are cavities treatment, cosmetic dentistry, kids dentistry, root canal treatment, wisdom tooth extraction, etc. Finding a dentist in advance who offers all these services will make it convenient for you, and you won't have to go from one dentist to another to seek dental care for your family.
Feedback And Testimonials
Testimonials and reviews from your dentist's past and regular patients play a crucial role in choosing the right dentist for yourself. Before finalizing your family dentist, check what their testimonials look like. And do you have any friends or acquaintances who have recommended the dentist? Ask around and see if your friends and family can give you a referral. Find a dentist who is experienced and has a successful track record. You can check reviews online and read about the patient's experiences with the dentist. This process may seem a little tiresome, but this little effort in finding the right dentist for your family will benefit you in the long run.
Environment
When looking for a family dentist, the culture and atmosphere of the dental office are as influential as the other things. Before finalizing your dentist, you can visit the dentist's office to look around and observe the office's culture. How are the staff members, and would your children feel comfortable there? Your family members are less likely to skip dental appointments if they are comfortable with the dentist and their clinic. In addition, a positive experience with the dentists and their office culture will encourage them to come for regular visits and have good oral hygiene.
Personality
Along with skill and experience, it is also essential that your dentist is understanding and compatible with you. Your dentist should listen to your oral problems, recognize dental issues, and provide the best treatment options per your conditions. A family dentist with experience with children, teens, and adults will understand your situation and respond without adding to your stress.
Qualities Of A Family Dentist
Along with the education and credentials, here are some qualities preferred in your family dentist.
Comfortable Interaction
Most of the time, a dentist has to spend their time near the face of the patient. This is a type of personal interaction that shouldn't cause any discomfort to the patient as well as the dentist. A professional dentist won't have a problem staying close to their patients even if they have issues like bad breath.
Trust
Your family dentists should be specialized in what they do. Dentists work with sharp objects and tools like drills in your mouth. Hence, you must trust them and believe that they will take more care. Skilled and experienced dentists do their best to avoid hurting patients. They also take extra precautions so that you have a pain-free and comfortable experience.
Comfort
You can easily communicate and share your dental problems with a good family dentist. Dentists learn more about their patients personally before beginning the treatment. This ensures that you feel comfortable and easy. In addition, interacting on a personal level makes the patients feel that the dentist genuinely cares and wants to treat them.
Aesthetics
Cosmetic dentistry requires skills and specialization that are unique. While your family dentist strives to ensure that you have excellent oral health, they should also focus on aesthetics. Your teeth should be healthy, but they should also look good. If you suffer from tooth loss, then along with reviving the functions of your teeth, your dentist should also bring back your smile so that you can step out with complete confidence.
Details
Since your dentist works in your mouth, which is a tiny space, they should be detail-oriented. Even a slight misalignment in your mouth can lead to significant oral problems. Therefore you should look for an experienced dentist who is detail-oriented.
Passion
Enhancing smiles and ensuring excellent oral health for patients is something that most dentists love to do. Successful dentists are passionate about their work and offer treatments and solutions to their patients.
Compassion
A good dentist is concerned by how their patient feels during a treatment procedure. They will ensure that the patient is relaxed and comfortable and doesn't feel pain. It would be best if you chose a dentist that shows care and kindness, especially towards the children.
Leadership
Either family dentists work in teams or practice individually; they have leadership qualities. For example, they lead a team of dental technicians, assistants, and hygienists and make business decisions for their dental profession.
Communication
Your family dentist may have excellent educational qualifications. But a good dentist should be able to convey complex procedures to patients in simple terminology. It allows the patient to understand what they are undergoing. Also, whether it is about cleaning teeth or avoiding foods, Your dentist should clear all your queries. Visiting your family dentist is an opportunity to monitor your oral health and obtain information about preventative care and hygiene.
Kids And Family Dentists NJ
Irrespective of the age groups that your family members belong to, it's your dentist's role to ensure your family's oral well-being. Planning visits to your family dentists saves your time and builds trust and confidence among children regarding dentists. Moreover, having family dentists also helps you to cope with dental anxiety. Hence, it would help if you chose the right dental clinic that serves you and your family members. Choose your family dentists by considering their skills and if they have the variety of services that you may require down the road.
At Jackson Dental, we ensure excellent oral health for you and every family member. From grandkids to grandparents, we provide dental procedures and treatments to patients of all ages. We understand that you or any of your family members may have dental anxiety. Hence, we strive to make oral procedures easy and hassle-free. With state-of-art technology and a team of experts that make you feel comfortable, we don't leave a stone unturned to provide the best dental care procedures to you and your family.
Conclusion
Family dentists are the one-stop solution to all your dental needs. Whether it is diagnosis through X-ray, getting tooth extractions, or teeth whitening treatment, family dentists provide you with everything under one roof. Gone are when you had to schedule multiple appointments across the city for every family member. With advanced family dentistry, you can get everything at once. So overcome your dental anxiety and encourage your family members to have good oral health with the help of your trustworthy family dentist. If you plan to have a family dentist, go for it without a second thought! It will ensure that your family's elders and younger ones have superior oral health.