Have A Happy and Safe Fourth of July

from

Our dental family to yours!

Dental Fear, Phobia or Dental Anxiety?

Going to the dentist triggers feelings of anxiety and fear. It is estimated that around 15 percent of Americans, over 45 million people; suffer from dental anxiety or dental phobia.     
The causes of dental anxiety and phobia can range from a fear of pain, fear of needles or doctors to past experiences of stress and discomfort.  An individual's predisposition to anxiety can also play a key role.

Dental Fear, Phobia or Dental Anxiety?
Though the phrases dental anxiety, dental fear and dental phobia are often used interchangeably to describe a range of symptoms and reactions to dental practices in general, important distinctions can be drawn between them, which can be useful in finding effective dental treatment options.
Anxiety refers to the sense of unease associated with the unknown. If you suffer from dental anxiety, you may find that working with a dentist who is sensitive to your needs and communicates with you to create a comfortable atmosphere can greatly improve your experience and help you to overcome your anxiety.
A phobia is an intense and possibly irrational reaction to a specific situation or object that is perceived as threatening. If you suffer from dental phobia you may react to the sound of a drill, the expectation of pain or another aspect of dentistry for which you have a strong dislike or fear.
Overcoming dental phobias, especially if they are particularly intense, can be more complicated than dealing with anxieties and may require professional assistance. Dental fear is the term often used for a more mild form of dental phobia.
“Our office has had great success with addressing dental fear by simply spending one on one time with our patients.  This builds trust and confidence quickly overcoming fear and apprehension” says Dr. Cherukuri from her Chino, California dental practice.

First Aid for Dental Emergencies- Part I

Any dental emergency like an injury to the teeth, gums or a dental infection can be potentially serious. A visit to the dentist is strongly recommended. Ignoring  the emergency can increase the risk of permanent damage as well as the need for more extensive and expensive dental treatment.

However, the following immediate remedies can help.

• Toothaches First, thoroughly rinse your mouth with warm water. Use dental floss to remove any lodged food. If your mouth is swollen, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue.

• Chipped or broken teeth. Save any pieces. Rinse the mouth using warm water; rinse any broken pieces. If there's bleeding, apply a piece of gauze to the area for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth, cheek, or lip near the broken/chipped tooth to keep any swelling down and relieve pain.

• Knocked-out tooth. Retrieve the tooth, hold it by the crown (the part that is usually exposed in the mouth), and rinse off the tooth root with water if it's dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, try to put the tooth back in place. Make sure it's facing the right way. Never force it into the socket. If it's not possible to reinsert the tooth in the socket, put the tooth in a small container of milk (or cup of water that contains a pinch of table salt, if milk is not available)  In all cases, call the dental office as soon as possible.  Knocked out teeth with the highest chances of being saved are those seen by the dentist and returned to their socket within 1 hour of being knocked out.
• Extruded (partially dislodged) tooth. See your dentist right away. Until you reach your dentist's office, to relieve pain, apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek in the affected area. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever (such as Tylenol or Advil) if needed.
• Objects caught between teeth. First, try using dental floss to very gently and carefully remove the object. If you can't get the object out, call the dental office.. Never use a pin or other sharp object to poke at the stuck object. These instruments can cut your gums or scratch your tooth surface
• I hope these tips are useful and we will have more tips on the next blog- Dr. Cherukuri

Laser Dentistry

Lasers have been used in dentistry since 1994.

How do lasers work in dentistry?

All lasers work by delivering energy in the form of light

For surgical applications in dentistry, laser acts as a cutting instrument or a vaporizer of tissue that it contacts.

When used to restore, lasers strengthen the bond between filling and tooth.

Laser acts as a heat source to enhance the effect of teeth bleaching agents.

"In general, laser use alleviates anxiety because the conservative procedures generate less pain and minimize bleeding and swelling.  Healthy tooth structure is preserved during cavity removal" says Dr. Cherukuri from her dental practice in Chino, California. 

"It's been a wonderful tool to use on our special needs patients and dental phobics.." adds Dr. Cherukuri.

Lasers in Dentistry have limited applications and procedures have an added cost but the comfort they add makes it all worthwhile.

"The Dreaded Root Canal"

Countless times, I have heard the expression, "I would rather have a root canal",. As much as it started off having a negative connotation with a touch of sarcasm, over the years: it has evolved into a statement of fact.

Our office has had great success helping patients who are apprehensive of dental visits or have had bad prior dental experiences.
The once "dental chickens"( as some in the profession refer to this group of patients) turn around to enjoy their dental visits and many of them, after they have had the "dreaded root canal" performed. 

The current technology and available choice of materials facilitate one visit root canals that can be completed within a half hour to an hour based on the number of canals and roots. The range of anesthetics available make it relatively painless for even the most abscessed tooth. With a touch of tender, compassionate care added in the office, trust is established and root canals are completed fast and easy.

"It is extremely gratifying to have patients who have refrained from dental visits for years leave our office amazed with how painless the visit was and go on to write glorious reviews.  The direct patient experience reviews encourage others who are still hiding behind the phantom fear of a root canal."

Visit www.chinosmiles.com for more information and read the reviews.

Developmental Disabilities and Oral Health

To achieve and maintain good oral health, people with mild or moderate developmental disabilities often require a special approach to dental care. With some adaptation of the skills dental professionals use every day, most people with special needs can be treated successfully in the general practice setting. 

The physical, mental, and behavioral challenges are fairly similar in patients with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disability. Understanding the specific challenges of each disability helps with strategies for providing care in a compassionate and trusting environment. 

“Building a bond and trust with our special needs patients goes a long way in the management of patients with developmental disabilities.” says Dr. Cherukuri from her Chino California practice. 

“We see patients of all ages with various special needs on a regular basis and have successfully managed their care with very simple modifications in care delivery.  Having a great dental team with  empathy and clear understanding of the extra needs  of these patients has served us well in rendering this specialized care successfully.” Dr. Cherukuri adds.

Visit  www.chinosmiles.com to view the many online reviews.

Dental Fear and Dental Phobia:

 What's the Difference?

For many people, the mere thought of going to the dentist triggers feelings of anxiety and fear. Around 15 percent of Americans - over 45 million people - suffer from dental anxiety or dental phobia. 

The causes of dental anxiety and phobia can range from a fear of pain, fear of needles or doctors to past experiences of stress and discomfort. An individual's predisposition to anxiety can also play a key role. 

Dental Fear, Dental Phobia or Dental Anxiety?

Though the phrases dental anxiety,dental fear and dental phobia are often used interchangeably to describe a range of symptoms and reactions to dental practices in general, important distinctions can be drawn between them, which can be useful in finding effective dental treatment options. 

Anxiety refers to the sense of unease associated with the unknown. If you suffer from dental anxiety, you may find that working with a dentist who is sensitive to your needs and communicates with you to create a comfortable atmosphere can greatly improve your experience and help you to overcome your anxiety. 

A phobia is an intense and possibly irrational reaction to a specific situation or object that is perceived as threatening. If you suffer from dental phobia you may react to the sound of a drill, the expectation of pain or another aspect of dentistry for which you have a strong dislike or fear. 

 Overcoming dental phobias, especially if they are particularly intense, can be more complicated than dealing with anxieties and may require professional assistance.

 Dental fear is the term often used for a more mild form of dental phobia. 

"Our dental office in Chino, California has been committed to serving  patients with fear and phobia and has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success over the years" says Dr Cherukuri. 

"The online reviews are a testament of our patients' rehabilitation from dental fear and a source of confidence building for others looking for this care." Dr Cherukuri adds.

Flossing!

Parking Sign!

Dental Anxiety

It is estimated that as many as 75% of US adults experience some degree of dental fear, from mild to severe.  Approximately 5 to 10 percent of U.S. adults are considered to experience dental phobia; that is, they are so fearful of receiving dental treatment that they avoid dental care at all costs. Many dentally fearful people will only seek dental care when they have a dental emergency.   People who are very fearful of dental care often experience a “cycle of avoidance,” in which they avoid dental care due to fear until they experience a dental emergency requiring invasive treatment, which can reinforce their fear of dentistry.
Women tend to report more dental fear than men and younger people tend to report being more dentally fearful than older individuals. People tend to report being more fearful of more invasive procedures, such as oral surgery than they are of less invasive treatment, such as professional dental cleanings or prophylaxis.

 Causes

 Direct experiences

Direct experience is the most common way people develop dental fears. Most people report that their dental fear began after a traumatic, difficult, and/or painful dental experience. However, painful or traumatic dental experiences alone do not explain why people develop dental phobia. The perceived manner of the dentist is an important variable. Dentists who were considered "impersonal", "uncaring", "uninterested" or "cold" were found to result in high dental fear in students, even in the absence of painful experiences, whereas some students who had had painful experiences failed to develop dental fear if they perceived their dentist as caring and warm.

 Indirect experiences

• Vicarious learning: Dental fear may develop as people hear about others' traumatic experiences or negative views of dentistry (vicarious learning).

• Mass media: The negative portrayal of dentistry in mass media and cartoons may also contribute to the development of dental fear.

• Stimulus Generalization: Dental fear may develop as a result of a previous traumatic experience in a non-dental context. For example, bad experiences with doctors or hospital environments may lead people to fear white coats and antiseptic smells, which is one reason why dentists nowadays often choose to wear less "threatening" apparel. People who have been sexually, physically or emotionally abused may also find the dental situation threatening.

• Helplessness and Perceived Lack of Control: If a person believes that they have no means of influencing a negative event, they will experience helplessness. Research has shown that a perception of lack of control leads to fear. The opposite belief, that one does have control, can lead to lessened fear. For example, the belief that the dentist will stop

Treatment

Treatments for dental fear often include a combination of behavioral and cognitive strategies to help patients reduce their fear.pharmacological techniques.
Many people who suffer from dental fear may be successfully treated with a combination of "look, see, do" and gentle dentistry. People fear what they don't understand and they also, logically, dislike pain. If someone has had one or more painful past experiences in a dental office then their fear is completely rational and they should be treated supportively. Non-graphic photographs taken pre-operatively, intra-operatively and post-operatively can explain the needed dentistry. Pharmacologic management may include an anxiety-reducing medication.
Most importantly is the need to provide an injection of anesthetic extremely gently. Certain parts of the mouth are much more sensitive than other parts; therefore it is possible to provide local anesthesia (a "novocaine" shot) in the less sensitive area first and then moving the injection within the zone of just-anesthetized tissue to the more sensitive area of the mouth. This is one example of how a dentist can dramatically reduce the sensation of pain from a "shot." Another idea is to allow the novocaine time (5 - 15 minutes) to anesthetize the area before beginning dental treatment.

We are a practice that specializes in patient comfort. Earning the trust of our patients by thoroughly educating them of their dental choices in a caring enviroment eases patient anxieties says Dr. Cherukuri.  "I love taking care of patients of all ages especially those with special needs or those who need an extra touch of TLC".