How to Overcome Your Fear of the Dentist

how to overcome your fear of the dentist - Dr. Boals

How to Overcome Your Fear of the Dentist

If you ask people how they feel about going to the dentist, they’d most likely answer by saying they don’t like it. If there is a certain degree of fear that could be considered natural, elevated levels of anxiety can prevent people from making appointments and affect their oral health in the future. Below, Dr. Boals, a sedation dentist in Colorado Springs, CO, shares how to overcome the fear of the dentist.

Odontophobia, or fear of seeing a dentist, is a serious issue. Research has shown that 5-8% of Americans fully avoid the dentist out of fear, and another 20% have enough anxiety to seek care only when absolutely necessary. There are a variety of reasons why fear can occur, but some of the most common are the loss of control, discomfort, humiliation, or past experience.

Although the level of fear varies from person to person, there are a few common things you can do to help ease your mind.

Find the Best Dentist in Colorado Springs, CO

One of the easiest ways to conquer the fear of seeing a dentist is to find a dentist you can trust. It might take some time, but it’s worth it. While you can look to family and friends for advice or read feedback online, it’s important to note that everyone’s experiences (and expectations) are different. Try to give the dentist a call – if you’re comfortable talking to them on the phone, you may want to make an appointment to see them and get a feel for the office.

Communicate Your Fears

If you don’t let the dentist know of your worries, they’re not going to be able to work through them and help you feel more relaxed. Communication is everything! By being transparent and frank with your concerns in the process, it will help ensure that the right steps will be taken to resolve them.

Bring a Family Member of Friend

If you’re a family member friend, having someone to accompany you to your appointment will make you feel more comfortable. It serves as an additional layer of assurance. You’re best to bring someone who has no fear of their own. Dr. Leeson, a restorative dentist in St. Pete, FL, recommends planning your appointment early in the morning so that you don’t waste time living stuff in advance during the day.

Don’t Worry

From stress balls to music to breathing exercises, there are a variety of “distractions” that you can use to keep your mind focused on something other than your fears. Even something as easy as watching a good movie or a video will help! At our dental office in Colorado Springs, CO, we make our patients’ comfort and safety our top priority. Our staff is warm and welcoming, and our dental office is filled with facilities that make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. 

You can unwind in the lobby with refreshments from our beverage station while your kids play and explore the children’s playground. TVs, headphones, and Hulu streaming via our operators can make you feel at home, even during your treatment. Hot scented towels and pillows will help you relax, and we also give nitrous oxide to patients suffering from dental anxiety or phobias. If you’re out of dental care because you’re scared of the dentist, we promise to change your mind about going to the dentist. 

Reward Yourself

Overcoming dental anxiety is a huge deal. If you do, treat yourself! Buy something good for yourself or go on a weekend getaway. Not only is it a fantastic reward, but it’s also going to help you relate your trips to something enjoyable and exciting.

Dr. Boals and our team at Kissing Camels Family Dentistry are genuinely concerned for our patients and want your experience to be enjoyable and optimistic. You’re going to forget that you were anxious to step through the gates! You can also interrupt the treatment any time you feel uncomfortable or need a break. Don’t ignore your oral health – make the appointment at our dental office in Colorado Springs, CO!

Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth - Colorado Springs

Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth can be quite uncomfortable. Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to prevent wisdom teeth. Most of us will need to see their dentist for wisdom teeth removal at some point in their lives. Why? The impacted wisdom teeth are the third molars on the back of the mouth that do not have enough space for emerging or developing normally. It’s important to get your wisdom teeth removed before dental problems develop. Below, Dr. Boals, your dentist in Colorado Springs, CO, shares signs of impacted wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to emerge, usually from 17-25 years old.  Most people have four wisdom teeth at the back of their mouth—two at the top, two at the bottom. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause discomfort, damage to other teeth, and other dental problems. In certain cases, the damaged teeth of wisdom do not cause any obvious or immediate problems. But since they are hard to clean, they may be more vulnerable to dental decay and gum disease than other teeth.

Wealth-impacted teeth that cause discomfort or other dental problems are usually removed. Some dentists and oral surgeons also prescribe the removal of damaged wisdom teeth that do not cause symptoms to prevent potential complications.

Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth do not always trigger symptoms. However, if the impacted wisdom tooth is infected, it can cause significant damages to other teeth or causes other dental problems. Watch out for these signs or symptoms: 

  • Red or swollen chewing gum
  • Blood or soft gums
  • Jaw’s Suffering
  • Swelling around the jaw
  • Poor breathing
  • An unpleasant taste in the mouth
  • Difficulty to open your mouth

See your emergency dentist in Colorado Springs, CO, if you are experiencing signs in the area behind your last molar that could be associated with an affected wisdom tooth.

Cause of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are a problem because there’s usually not enough space in the mouth. Some people have wisdom teeth that turn up without any complications and line up with the other teeth behind the second molar. In certain cases, though, the mouth is too crowded to have third molars. When there’s not enough room, they become stuck.

An impacted wisdom tooth may emerge partly so that some of the crowns are visible (partially impacted) or may never break through the gums (fully impacted). Whether partially or completely affected, the tooth may:

  • Grow at the angle to the next tooth (second molar)
  • Develop at the angle of the back of the mouth.
  • Develop at the right angle to the other teeth, as if the wisdom tooth were “lying down” inside the jawbone.
  • Grow up or down like most teeth, but remain stuck within the jawbone.

What Happens If I Don’t Get My Wisdom Teeth Removed? 

The impacted teeth of wisdom can cause many problems in the mouth:

  • Harm to the other teeth. Our friend Dr. Dave Moghadam, an oral surgeon in Easton, PA, agrees that if the wisdom tooth pushes against the second molar, it can damage the second molar or increase the risk of infection in the area. This pressure can also cause issues with crowding the other teeth or may require orthodontic treatment to straighten the other teeth.
  • Tooth Abscess. The wisdom tooth grows inside the jawbone in a jar. The bag will be filled with fluid, creating a cyst that can damage the jawbone, the teeth, and the nerves. A tumor—usually non-cancer (benign)—rarely grows. This complication can involve tissue and bone removal.
  • Tooth Decay. Partially damaged wisdom teeth tend to be at greater risk of tooth decay (caries) than other teeth. This is possibly due to the fact that wisdom teeth are harder to clean and that food and bacteria are easily stuck between the gum and a partially erupted tooth.
  • Gum Disease. The difficulty of cleaning impacted, partially erupted wisdom teeth increases the risk of developing a painful inflammatory gum condition called periodontitis or gum disease.

Visit Kissing Camels Family Dentistry

You can’t prevent wisdom teeth from emerging, but you can get them removed before dental problems develop. If you haven’t had your wisdom teeth removed yet, contact Kissing Camels Family Dentistry in Colorado Springs, CO. We will take dental x-rays and put together a custom treatment plan for you. Don’t worry. We offer sedation dentistry for patients who are feeling uneasy about wisdom teeth removal. 

Benefits of Visiting Your Colorado Springs Dentist

Benefits of Visiting Your Colorado Springs Dentist

Benefits of Visiting Your Colorado Springs Dentist

Ever wonder why your dentist in Colorado Springs, CO insists on frequent checkups? It’s not just a matter of brushing your teeth and giving you tips on how to keep your pearly whites. Oral hygiene affects the health of the body. Your dentist will not only treat your toothaches and cavities but also identifies any risk factors that could contribute to more severe conditions. That’s why the American Dental Association suggests that your dentist change the duration of your appointments. Brushing and flossing alone will not help you achieve good oral health. It’s crucial to have an expert look at your mouth. Here are some of the advantages of visiting your Colorado Springs, CO dentist.

What to Expect During Your Visit with Dr. Boals

Your Colorado Springs dentist may examine your face, neck, lymph nodes, and jaw before examining your teeth. This protocol is to scan for any odd lumps and bumps and to check your thyroid. What the dentist really is looking for are symptoms of head, neck, and oral cancer, diabetes, and vitamin deficiency. If your Colorado Springs dentist notices something troubling, you can guarantee that your dentist will recommend the next steps. 

A full-mouth examination of the condition of your teeth and gums lets your dentist decide the best way to improve your oral health long-term.

When your dentist looks into your mouth, they do a variety of different things:

  • Analysis of the gums for any signs of disease
  • Checks for missing or broken teeth and signs of tooth decay
  • Inspects the tissue inside your mouth
  • Takes a look at your tongue
  • Checks your bite
  • Reviews fillings or potential dental problems‍

‍Dentists in Colorado Springs, CO, have the equipment and experience to thoroughly examine and treat any dental problem that arises. If you don’t see your dentist when an issue arrises, you won’t know how to fix it. 

Did You Miss a Spot?

No matter how good you brush and floss, you will not be able to remove tartar on your own. Don’t worry, it’s normal. During your visit to Kissing Camels Family Dentistry, one of our hygienists will clear up anything you’ve missed. Making your teeth look as good as new. Professional dental cleanings are necessary to decrease the risk of cavities, bacteria, and gum disease.

These professional cleanings include a visual inspection of your teeth and the removal of any tartar build-up. It is accompanied by polishing and probably flossing. After that, Dr. Boals will speak with you about the health of your teeth and gums. They will also make suggestions for improving your oral health or address any concerns that he has. Following this advice, you’ll set up your next dental cleaning t the front desk. 

Dental Problems That Go Unnoticed

Waiting until you have a toothache to see your emergency dentist in Colorado Springs, CO, can be troublesome and expensive. Cavities can begin to develop without causing discomfort, and dentists can diagnose them until they become a major problem. The sooner a cavity is detected, the less likely a major surgery, such as a root canal, is to be performed.

Gum disease is another painless disorder. It’s a big cause of loss of teeth. A lot of people don’t even know they have it. If the gum disease is detected soon enough, it is reversible. Early-stage gum disease, known as gingivitis, can be avoided by skilled cleaning followed by good oral hygiene at home. Advanced gum disease, also known as periodontitis, can lead to tissue and bone loss that support the teeth. Periodontitis affects 47.2% of adults over 30 years of age in the United States.

Dental problems may arise without warning signs, which is why it’s crucial to follow a good oral health regimen and see your dentist regularly. This will save you both money and time in the long run.

Why You Need Good Oral Health

We put a lot of stuff into our mouths in our bodies. It makes sense that our teeth should be in good order, doesn’t it? Healthy teeth allow us to eat the food we want while reducing the number of harmful bacteria we swallow. Don’t forget to give us a whiter smile. Polishing during washing removes all stains and improves the enamel teeth. Enamel is a thin layer of coating that coats every tooth. It helps protect against chewing, biting, and grinding damage. Enamel can be eroded by contact with acids, such as those present in soft drinks and fruit drinks. This can lead to sensitive teeth, discoloration, and indentations. It can also make teeth easier to break and chip. Dr. Kim, an emergency dentist in Lexington, KY, agrees that erosion of the enamel makes the teeth more vulnerable to cavities and decay. Going to regular dental cleanings can help make sure your enamel remains intact, and you can enjoy the use of your teeth.

Visit Kissing Camels Family Dentistry

It’s not just a matter of keeping your teeth clean or a whiter smile. A regular checkup at our dental office in Colorado Springs, CO, will help you live a healthier life and worry less about dental, neck, and head ailments.

Regular visits to the dentist are to help avoid major medical complications and save you money in the future. If you missed your last appointment or need to find a new dentist in Colorado Springs, CO, don’t hesitate to contact Kissing Camels Family Dentistry.

Do I Need My Tooth Extracted?

Do I Need My Tooth Extracted? - Dr. Boals

Do I Need My Tooth Extracted?

During your visit to your Colorado Springs dentist, you may hear some unsettling news. It could just be that you need to have a tooth extracted. There are several reasons beyond your wisdom teeth removal that you may need to have one or more teeth extracted.

We’ve gathered some of the reasons that your dentist in Colorado Springs might recommend an extraction as the best course of treatment.

Overcrowding In Your Mouth

It could just be that there simply isn’t enough space in your mouth to accommodate each of your adult teeth. This can lead to alignment concerns and lead to more serious damage later on.  As your teeth shift about in your mouth, each jostling for space that simply isn’t available. You may also experience trouble with gum disease and advanced tooth decay. Patients with overcrowded teeth also experience discomfort and have difficulty chewing some foods. This is one of the most common reasons for tooth removal in Colorado Springs, says Dr. Cody Boals.

Severe Decay in One or More Teeth

For some patients in Colorado Springs, root canal therapy can salvage a tooth that has been damaged by severe decay. In other patients, the tooth may be so extensively damaged that there is no way to salvage any part of the tooth’s structure. Removing the tooth will be the best choice to get the patient out of pain and halt the continued spread of an infection present in the tooth.

Dr. David Moghadam, a dentist who offers root canal therapy in Easton, PA, says that there’s no fighting decay once it has spread far into a tooth’s roots. Antibiotics can only do so much. The tooth may be lost in time, but it may cause significant pain before then. Extraction is the best way to avoid that pain.

Gum Disease

If it has been some time since you have visited your Colorado Springs family dentist, there is the chance that you may have evidence of gum disease. Periodontal disease can take a toll on your gums and your teeth. The bacteria present can damage the bone structures that provide support for the teeth. Decay will accelerate, and pain may set in. The infection can also potentially spread between teeth.

Your dentist may suggest that a tooth be removed for any of the following reasons.

  • A tooth has developed an abscess and is badly infected
  • The tooth is no longer supported by the jaw and is loose
  • The infection can be seen spreading to the bone, surrounding teeth and even the soft tissue in the mouth

Early stages of gum disease will typically not require a tooth extraction. It is only once an infection has advanced to serious stages that removing an infected tooth is necessary to halt the infection spread and to offer protection for other teeth.

One or More Impacted Wisdom Teeth

It is very common to have impacted wisdom teeth. These teeth erupt in your mouth once all of your other teeth are already in place. This can result in some concerns, including overcrowding and misalignment. 

When wisdom teeth are impacted, they don’t erupt correctly. They are impacted in the gum, beneath the gum. They may partially erupt or not erupt at all. Being the very back molars in your mouth, these teeth are at high risk for damage and decay. The decay may go undetected, to the degree that the tooth begins to cause discomfort and pain.

Your dentist in Colorado Springs, CO, may recommend an extraction before the teeth begin to cause issues. 

Tooth Damage That Cannot Be Repaired

Whether a tooth has been damaged or broken due to an accident or an injury, it could be that the damage is too extensive. The majority of the time, your dentist can repair the damage using a crown. In some situations, the tooth break may be beneath the gum line. In this situation, removing the remaining tooth structure will typically be better for keeping the infection at bay.

Remember that your situation is unique, and your treatment plan will be tailored to meet your individual needs. If you’re looking for a new dentist in Colorado Springs, you can count on Kissing Camels Family Dentistry to provide you with the best care possible. Call us to make your appointment.