A child's first trip to the dentist is always a big step for both child and parent. However, this step needn't be a scary one for your child as there are many things that you can do to make it as pleasant and positive an experience for them as possible.
First off, it is important to set the precedent that the dentist office is a fun and safe place to go. One very effective way of achieving this is to take your child along to one of your own dental visits first (a simple cleaning might be better than, say, a root canal...), before it is time for him or her to have their own appointment. By showing your child that you are not afraid of the dentist, and letting him or her become acclimated to the environment of the office early on, your child will be more relaxed when it comes his or her turn to meet the dentist for the first time.
Scheduling is another important factor when it comes to making this maiden voyage go as smooth as possible. More than likely, the best time for your child's first appointment will be in the morning, when he or she is well rested and has already had breakfast, and is thus less likely to feel tired and cranky.
However, more important than anything else is how you plan on explaining to your child what a trip to the dentist means in the first place. For this maneuver, there are many different approaches that one can use. One might be that the child is going on a "field trip" to the dentist's office. Another might be swapping the word "appointment" with "adventure". You probably want to avoid using words like "examination" or even "cleaning" (we all know how some kids hate taking baths!). Emphasize how nice and kind that the dentist you're going to is, and maybe even say that the dentist chair moves up and down like a carnival ride. No matter what, it is important that you instill in your child early on the idea that going to the dentist is a good thing to do, and that it might even be fun! For this first visit it is important to save the more serious stuff for later; after you get them through that first visit you can then move on to explaining that going to the dentist makes it so that you are protecting your teeth from "getting sick".
The final tip we have for making your child's first dental examination as pleasant as possible can be summed up in one simple word: distraction. The old standby of prizes waiting at the end of the dental tunnel for your child is of definite importance, so make sure the office you go to provides this for the young ones (and if not, bring some yourself). However, why not get your child something new to distract them while on the way to the appointment? This may seem at first like "spoiling" them, but, after all, "a spoon full of sugar does make the medicine go down." Thus, if your child has a new toy in his or her hand upon entering the dentist office, there is a good chance that this will remain in the forefront of their consciousness most of the way toward climbing up into the chair.
So, parents be brave! With a little forethought and creativity, you can turn your child's first dental appointment into a positive, fun experience, and create a solid foundation for your child to establish a healthy attitude about taking care of their teeth as well.
Showing posts with label dentist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dentist. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Five Famous Dentists Throughout History
Some of you may find the concept of "famous dentists throughout history" to be a rather strange one. However, we feel that the history of dentistry is just as important to our society as that of any other medical profession. Therefore, we would like to present our picks for the Top Five Famous Dentists Throughout History:
First off, no rundown of famous dentists would be complete without mentioning John Henry "Doc" Holliday, the mysterious and much-storied wild-west dentist who played a part in many famous stories from the days of the old West, mainly, of course, "the gunfight at the O.K. Corral." However, regardless of the fact that Holliday is mostly known as a extravagant gambler and expert gunslinger, his profession was nonetheless that of being a dentist. His first dental office was located in Atlanta, and then he rambled out to Dallas, Texas where he discovered that he could make more money gambling than practicing dentistry. After that, he ended up in the Wild West where he solidified his place in history by being enmeshed in the turbulent times that were happening there.
Norman W. Kingsley is often called "The Father of Orthodontics", and for good reason. Back in 1880, he wrote "Treatise on Oral Deformities," which was hugely influential on the field of dentistry as a whole. On top of being a pioneering dentist, he also was an artist, writer of fiction and sculptor. His 1880 book is still referenced today. He was also the founder of the New York State Dental Society in 1868.
Another famous dentist was originally a psychiatrist. However, Sir James Crichton-Browne, was most famous for his work in connection with the field of dentistry, specifically pediatric dentistry. Besides being an early advocate of dental care for children, this dentist was responsible for the discovery of the benefits of fluorine to fight tooth decay, which was about a half-century ahead of being officially confirmed by dentists worldwide.
Pierre Fauchard, an important French physician, wrote "The Surgeon Dentist" in 1728. This was truly a ground-breaking book that documented thoroughly everything from basic oral anatomy and oral pathology, to methods of treatment for removing tooth decay, orthodontics, replacement of missing teeth, etc., and earned him the title of "The Father of Modern Dentistry."
Finally, another groundbreaking dentist was Thomas Curtis, the first African-American dentist in Alabama. He served both the dental and African-American communities as a model of what being a dentist should be, and was a huge proponent and advocate for equal rights when it came to the practice and availability of the dental resources for all people.
We here at the Oakville Place Dental Office blog feel that these (and other famous, important dentists) often go under appreciated as far as their historical significance is concerned. So, next time you're in the dental chair, why not do a little name dropping and mention to your dentist one of these names you've learned today. After all, he or she spends so much time every day working on everyone else's smile, why not try seeing if you can make their smile a little bit brighter too?
First off, no rundown of famous dentists would be complete without mentioning John Henry "Doc" Holliday, the mysterious and much-storied wild-west dentist who played a part in many famous stories from the days of the old West, mainly, of course, "the gunfight at the O.K. Corral." However, regardless of the fact that Holliday is mostly known as a extravagant gambler and expert gunslinger, his profession was nonetheless that of being a dentist. His first dental office was located in Atlanta, and then he rambled out to Dallas, Texas where he discovered that he could make more money gambling than practicing dentistry. After that, he ended up in the Wild West where he solidified his place in history by being enmeshed in the turbulent times that were happening there.
Norman W. Kingsley is often called "The Father of Orthodontics", and for good reason. Back in 1880, he wrote "Treatise on Oral Deformities," which was hugely influential on the field of dentistry as a whole. On top of being a pioneering dentist, he also was an artist, writer of fiction and sculptor. His 1880 book is still referenced today. He was also the founder of the New York State Dental Society in 1868.
Another famous dentist was originally a psychiatrist. However, Sir James Crichton-Browne, was most famous for his work in connection with the field of dentistry, specifically pediatric dentistry. Besides being an early advocate of dental care for children, this dentist was responsible for the discovery of the benefits of fluorine to fight tooth decay, which was about a half-century ahead of being officially confirmed by dentists worldwide.
Pierre Fauchard, an important French physician, wrote "The Surgeon Dentist" in 1728. This was truly a ground-breaking book that documented thoroughly everything from basic oral anatomy and oral pathology, to methods of treatment for removing tooth decay, orthodontics, replacement of missing teeth, etc., and earned him the title of "The Father of Modern Dentistry."
Finally, another groundbreaking dentist was Thomas Curtis, the first African-American dentist in Alabama. He served both the dental and African-American communities as a model of what being a dentist should be, and was a huge proponent and advocate for equal rights when it came to the practice and availability of the dental resources for all people.
We here at the Oakville Place Dental Office blog feel that these (and other famous, important dentists) often go under appreciated as far as their historical significance is concerned. So, next time you're in the dental chair, why not do a little name dropping and mention to your dentist one of these names you've learned today. After all, he or she spends so much time every day working on everyone else's smile, why not try seeing if you can make their smile a little bit brighter too?
Getting the Most Out of Going to the Dentist Office
When it comes to being fully informed about keeping your teeth healthy and all other things dental, there is obviously no one better to talk to than a dentist. However, many of us find ourselves "freezing up" a bit once we actually arrive at a dental office for a variety of reasons, even perhaps due to having some amount of "odotophobia" (as mentioned in a previous blog entry). Unfortunately, the end result of our "freezing up" is that we don't end up fully communicating to our dentists all of our dental needs. Here are a few examples of what I mean...
First off, it is important that you remember that dentists are people too, and therefore they are all different. They all have different approaches in how they treat patients, i.e. they all have different "bedside manners." Therefore, it is always good to get to know your dentist's style before you dive too deep into your dental care with him or her. So before getting to the point when it might be time to undergo a major dental procedure, be sure to schedule a routine visit with your dentist first. This way, you can get to know your dentist and have the potential of building a more trusting relationship with him or her. And remember, if your dentist's approach doesn't sit right with you, you may want to consider going to someone else for dental care that you can feel more comfortable with.
Secondly, once you know that you are with a dentist that you do indeed feel comfortable with, it is important to make sure to share all of your potentially pertinent medical information with him or her. This means telling your dentist about things like any prescription medications that you may be taking and of any medical conditions that you might have. You would be surprised to know how many different medical conditions can make it so that certain special precautions should be taken upon undergoing any major dental procedure. Additionally, you should definitely express to your dentist any mental concerns or fears that you may have regarding the undergoing of any procedure, even if it is just that you have an overall fear of going to the dentist itself. Don't be shy! Your dentist would much rather know of your feelings and concerns beforehand, so that he or she can do a better job making you feel as comfortable as possible.
Lastly, it is extremely important to keep your dentist fully informed of any pain, sensitivity, or other symptoms that you may have regarding your teeth. Many patients don't want to do this because they fear that they will be getting themselves into more "trouble" by revealing to the dentist new problems that will then have to be dealt with. However, it is important to keep in mind that you are at the dentist office in the first place in order to get rid of (and/or prevent) any potential dental problems that you might have. So why would you want to keep anything like that a secret? Also, by choosing to keep quiet about any tooth pain, you may just end up having to undergo a more serious dental procedure later instead.
So, be sure to communicate clearly and thoroughly with your dentist about everything we've talked about here. By making sure that you keep him or her as fully informed as possible, you will be guaranteed to get the most out of all your future trips to the dentist office.
First off, it is important that you remember that dentists are people too, and therefore they are all different. They all have different approaches in how they treat patients, i.e. they all have different "bedside manners." Therefore, it is always good to get to know your dentist's style before you dive too deep into your dental care with him or her. So before getting to the point when it might be time to undergo a major dental procedure, be sure to schedule a routine visit with your dentist first. This way, you can get to know your dentist and have the potential of building a more trusting relationship with him or her. And remember, if your dentist's approach doesn't sit right with you, you may want to consider going to someone else for dental care that you can feel more comfortable with.
Secondly, once you know that you are with a dentist that you do indeed feel comfortable with, it is important to make sure to share all of your potentially pertinent medical information with him or her. This means telling your dentist about things like any prescription medications that you may be taking and of any medical conditions that you might have. You would be surprised to know how many different medical conditions can make it so that certain special precautions should be taken upon undergoing any major dental procedure. Additionally, you should definitely express to your dentist any mental concerns or fears that you may have regarding the undergoing of any procedure, even if it is just that you have an overall fear of going to the dentist itself. Don't be shy! Your dentist would much rather know of your feelings and concerns beforehand, so that he or she can do a better job making you feel as comfortable as possible.
Lastly, it is extremely important to keep your dentist fully informed of any pain, sensitivity, or other symptoms that you may have regarding your teeth. Many patients don't want to do this because they fear that they will be getting themselves into more "trouble" by revealing to the dentist new problems that will then have to be dealt with. However, it is important to keep in mind that you are at the dentist office in the first place in order to get rid of (and/or prevent) any potential dental problems that you might have. So why would you want to keep anything like that a secret? Also, by choosing to keep quiet about any tooth pain, you may just end up having to undergo a more serious dental procedure later instead.
So, be sure to communicate clearly and thoroughly with your dentist about everything we've talked about here. By making sure that you keep him or her as fully informed as possible, you will be guaranteed to get the most out of all your future trips to the dentist office.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Cure Your Odontophobia Today!
Nervous about your next trip to the dentist? Keep cool in the dental chair during your next visit by heeding the following advice:
1. Find a Dentist you are Comfortable with.
Now, if you are one of those people that have developed a fear of the dentist (officially known as "odontophobia"), you definitely need to have a dentist that you are comfortable with in the first place. Your dentist should have a good bedside manor and make you at ease as much as possible, and if you fear the dentist more than most, you should communicate with them about this issue. Alternatively, if you do not like your dentist's style and way of treating patients, then find another dentist! I know that this may seem obvious, but you would be surprised by how many people don't take matters into their own hands when it comes to this.
2. This Ain't the Wild West!
An additional fact to keep in mind is that much of our fear of the dentist probably springs from the past, from times before the existence of the high-tech, vastly more advanced methods for dental procedures and of pain relief that thankfully exist today. Relax, we've come a long way from Doc Holiday with his nasty pliers and only his bottle of Jack Daniels to help you get through the dental experience! You can take comfort in the fact that dentists use the latest technology to make dental work as safe and as efficient for the patient as possible.
3. The Power of Positive Thinking.
Finally, an important aspect of overcoming fear of the dentist is the power of realistic, positive thinking. After all: you are actually going to the dentist to AVOID pain, because if dental problems go undiagnosed and untreated, the person afflicted will almost certainly suffer as a result. The dentist is there to fix your teeth so that they are pain-free, as well as to make them more beautiful to both the world and, most importantly, to you. In fact, skipping dental appointments is what should scare us!
-DC
1. Find a Dentist you are Comfortable with.
Now, if you are one of those people that have developed a fear of the dentist (officially known as "odontophobia"), you definitely need to have a dentist that you are comfortable with in the first place. Your dentist should have a good bedside manor and make you at ease as much as possible, and if you fear the dentist more than most, you should communicate with them about this issue. Alternatively, if you do not like your dentist's style and way of treating patients, then find another dentist! I know that this may seem obvious, but you would be surprised by how many people don't take matters into their own hands when it comes to this.
2. This Ain't the Wild West!
An additional fact to keep in mind is that much of our fear of the dentist probably springs from the past, from times before the existence of the high-tech, vastly more advanced methods for dental procedures and of pain relief that thankfully exist today. Relax, we've come a long way from Doc Holiday with his nasty pliers and only his bottle of Jack Daniels to help you get through the dental experience! You can take comfort in the fact that dentists use the latest technology to make dental work as safe and as efficient for the patient as possible.
3. The Power of Positive Thinking.
Finally, an important aspect of overcoming fear of the dentist is the power of realistic, positive thinking. After all: you are actually going to the dentist to AVOID pain, because if dental problems go undiagnosed and untreated, the person afflicted will almost certainly suffer as a result. The dentist is there to fix your teeth so that they are pain-free, as well as to make them more beautiful to both the world and, most importantly, to you. In fact, skipping dental appointments is what should scare us!
-DC
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Many Different Types of Dentists
If you tell someone that you are a medical doctor, chances are they will respond to you by asking, "what type of doctor are you?" But, if you were to say that you are a dentist instead (I would only recommend that you do this if you actually are a dentist!), chances are they would probably not inquire as to what area of dentistry that you practice. The simple fact is, most people wrongly assume that all dentists are general dentists. However, besides being accredited as a general dentist, there are a plethora of other areas that dentists often go on to specialize in. Therefore, I would like to shed a little light on some of the many different types of dentists and the areas they specialize in.
Pediatric dentists specialize in caring for children. These dentists are experts at putting young patients at ease. That first trip to the dentist can sometimes be a nerve-wracking experience for a young child, and these folks are studied experts at dealing with these sorts of situations. In addition to their training at dealing with children, pediatric dentists also have special training for dealing with those folks with extreme phobias of the dental chair, as well as those with mental or physical disabilities.
Another dental specialist that many have heard of, and been treated by, is the orthodontist. As you probably know, these are the professionals that deal with the misalignment issues of the teeth and jaws. If you had braces as a child, it was the orthodontist who applied them. However, orthodontists perform more than just the cosmetic task of making a smile better to look at. For example, orthodontists treat misaligned teeth, which can effect a patient's ability to perform such common everyday tasks as eating and talking. Also, sleep apnea, a dangerous and quite common condition in which one temporarily pauses breathing during sleep, can also be the purview of the orthodontist.
Speaking of surgery, the specialists when it comes to dental surgery of all kinds are called oral and maxillofacial surgeons. These folks are responsible for using surgery to treat a wide variety of problems concerning the areas of the teeth and jaw. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (maxillofacial, by the way, means the upper-jaw and face) specialize in everything from difficult tooth extractions to treating TMJ.
Endodontists, with the "endo" being Greek for "inside" and the "dontist" part meaning teeth (don't worry, there will not be a quiz after this blog post!), are dental experts who have special skills when it comes to dealing with the insides of teeth. If you have a problem with the interior of a tooth, these dentists are the specialists who can get to the "root" of the problem (couldn't resist that pun).
And there are many more types of dentists including:
Periodontists: Experts when it comes to your gums.
Oral Pathologists: Dentists who deal with diseases of the mouth.
Prosthodontists: Dentists who specialize in creating replacement teeth such as dentures and bridgework.
I could go on and on, but I think that you get my point. Being a dentist does not necessarily mean being a general dentist. So perhaps the next time you are meet a dentist, you can now proudly ask him or her, "what do you specialize in?"
Pediatric dentists specialize in caring for children. These dentists are experts at putting young patients at ease. That first trip to the dentist can sometimes be a nerve-wracking experience for a young child, and these folks are studied experts at dealing with these sorts of situations. In addition to their training at dealing with children, pediatric dentists also have special training for dealing with those folks with extreme phobias of the dental chair, as well as those with mental or physical disabilities.
Another dental specialist that many have heard of, and been treated by, is the orthodontist. As you probably know, these are the professionals that deal with the misalignment issues of the teeth and jaws. If you had braces as a child, it was the orthodontist who applied them. However, orthodontists perform more than just the cosmetic task of making a smile better to look at. For example, orthodontists treat misaligned teeth, which can effect a patient's ability to perform such common everyday tasks as eating and talking. Also, sleep apnea, a dangerous and quite common condition in which one temporarily pauses breathing during sleep, can also be the purview of the orthodontist.
Speaking of surgery, the specialists when it comes to dental surgery of all kinds are called oral and maxillofacial surgeons. These folks are responsible for using surgery to treat a wide variety of problems concerning the areas of the teeth and jaw. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (maxillofacial, by the way, means the upper-jaw and face) specialize in everything from difficult tooth extractions to treating TMJ.
Endodontists, with the "endo" being Greek for "inside" and the "dontist" part meaning teeth (don't worry, there will not be a quiz after this blog post!), are dental experts who have special skills when it comes to dealing with the insides of teeth. If you have a problem with the interior of a tooth, these dentists are the specialists who can get to the "root" of the problem (couldn't resist that pun).
And there are many more types of dentists including:
Periodontists: Experts when it comes to your gums.
Oral Pathologists: Dentists who deal with diseases of the mouth.
Prosthodontists: Dentists who specialize in creating replacement teeth such as dentures and bridgework.
I could go on and on, but I think that you get my point. Being a dentist does not necessarily mean being a general dentist. So perhaps the next time you are meet a dentist, you can now proudly ask him or her, "what do you specialize in?"
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Maintaining Your Smile Between Dental Visits
It is important to keep in mind that your dentist can only do so much to help your smile stay healthy and white. Maintaining your teeth is a tag-team effort between you and your dentist, so let's review the basic fundamentals of keeping your teeth clean and perhaps even learn a few interesting facts along the way!
Brushing
At this point in our history as human beings it is common knowledge that brushing your teeth twice a day is essential for keeping your dental health in good order. However, it is important to keep these tips in mind when doing this twice-daily ritual:
1. Experience the experience
Over the years, one can become so accustomed to the practice of brushing one's teeth that it becomes something we do without thinking about it. And that usually means that we begin to do less and less of a thorough job as the years pass. After all: if something is worth doing, then one should do it right, no? So be sure to focus on the task at hand, doing the best you can each time to clean not just the front of the teeth, but the backs as well and the lower parts of the teeth that are near the gums. Hold the brush at an angle, and try concentrating on one tooth area at a time until you feel that you have covered all of your bases. You will probably experience a more refreshed and clean post-brushed feeling if you keep this in mind.
Another good way to make sure you brush your teeth thoroughly is to time yourself (about 3 minutes is what is recommended), or use an electronic toothbrush that has a timer on it, in order to make sure you don't try to cut any corners.
2. Toothbrushes are not permanent!
You would be surprised how many people keep their toothbrushes around for years upon years. Do you remember the last time you bought a new brush? People are always glad when they do because a new toothbrush not only cleans better but feels better too. It is recommended that you replace your toothbrush at least every three months. Additionally, keep in mind that the fiber in toothbrushes often start wearing out before they show visible signs that it is time for them to be replaced!
Flossing
The daily practice of flossing your teeth is one that is unfortunately quite often overlooked. Most people do not do this daily and if they do, they don't do it thoroughly enough. Perhaps these little tips could help steer you in the right direction if you happen to be one of these people:
1. Find a flossing time that works for you
If you're like me, you do not wish to stand in front of the bathroom mirror for longer than five minutes or so. That is why I floss my teeth each night while watching the evening news. This way I do not rush the process of flossing, like I would if I was standing up in bathroom, and since I watch the news every day it ensures that I keep up with my flossing. So, find a time that works for you and fits into your daily routine, and you may then find flossing to be less of a chore.
2. Keep in mind the importance of flossing
After all, just like the dentist can only do so much to keep you teeth healthy, brushing is only half of the equation when it comes to the daily cleaning of your teeth. Flossing helps clean and stimulate the areas of your teeth and mouth that brushing cannot reach.
3. Take it one tooth at a time
It is important to be patient when flossing, and make sure that you are going in between each pair of teeth. Develop a routine that works for you. If you have trouble getting in between any two of your teeth, use the waxed variety of dental floss.
Diet
Of course, what we eat has a lot to do with the health and appearance of our teeth. So, keep these tips in mind:
1. More than twice a day is okay
We all know that sugary foods are worse for our teeth than non-sugary ones. So, if you've just polished off that berry pie all by yourself, why not give your teeth a break and brush them one extra time? Not only will this help your teeth, it is also a healthier alternative to using mints or gum to freshen your breath. Another easy way to rinse your teeth quickly right after a meal is to just use mouthwash.
2. Sugar is not the only enemy of you teeth
Acidic foods and ones who's particles have a tendency to stay packed in between teeth can be just as bad as that candy bar. Have you ever noticed how bits of potato chips stay lodged in between your teeth long after they have been eaten? For this reason, foods like this can be just as bad for your teeth as candy, so eat them sparingly. Also, highly acidic foods, which include everything from tomatoes to soda pop, can wear away on the enamel of teeth, so keep this in mind when balancing out your daily meals, especially if you have very sensitive teeth.
Until next time,
-DC
Staff Writer
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
